As we already know, E3 is back for 2021 but with an all-new digital format. With publishers, developers and presenters all showing off this year’s new games remotely, the event hopes to get fans involved more than ever before by offering up an interactive online portal and a special app.
Today, the ESA has revealed how these will work. The online portal is said to be “the destination for all things E3,” with public access going live on Satuday 12th June following a press-only period. It’ll house virtual ‘booths’, profile and avatar creation, online forums, and more.
Registering for access to this online portal will be free and begins later this month. From 12th June, the public version of the portal will give you access to the following:
● Exhibitor Booths – Featuring special events, VOD content and articles, exhibitor booths will act as hubs within the portal for key announcements and game information tied to each exhibitor
● Lounges – Online gathering spots for all E3 attendees
● Forums – Special boards for focused online discussion and sharing among attendees
● Leaderboards – Gamified show elements that can be collected and displayed, encouraging fans to interact in as many ways as possible
● Profile Creation – All attendees can create their own unique profiles within the portal and app, which can be customized
The portal and app will also feature E3’s live broadcasts, and it’ll even boast live interactive elements such as viewer polls, featured tweets, and more. The shows presenters – who were revealed last month – will take viewers through “major publisher showcases, press conferences, industry panels, extended livestreams and special guest appearances.”
“From the moment we decided to host E3 virtually, we’ve been focused on providing an interactive experience for fans around the globe that goes beyond the typical live stream,” says Stanley Pierre-Louis, President & CEO of the ESA. “The result is a bespoke online portal and app that will allow fans, media and industry professionals to have an E3 experience designed to run parallel to the four-day broadcast, laying the foundation for interactive E3 elements to continue beyond this year’s all-virtual show.”
What are your thoughts on this new portal and app idea? Are you feeling excited about this year’s event? Let us know in the comments.