E3 Responds To Reports Parts Of The Show Could Be Behind Paywall

The Entertainment Software Association – the organization behind E3 – denies reports that some of the content at this year’s E3 digital event could be locked behind a payment wall. at least some parts of the E3 2021 digital show behind a paywall, with a price offered for the “premium” package of $ 35. The report says these items would be akin to game demos or some other type of “extra access,” and does not appear to suggest that the lectures themselves would be paid content.

However, the VGC report indicated that those plans could be shaky as at least one major gaming company voiced criticism of the plan and ESA appeared willing to back down. Its previous reports have described a week-long “experiment” in mid-June with three days of content being released, as well as content being released through an official app afterwards. Ideas that were reportedly pitched included major corporate keynotes, an awards ceremony, preview night, scheduling media and business meetings via an app, demos, “virtual kiosks” and merchandise stores. .

Following this report, the official E3 Twitter account issued a statement directly in response to that report which read, “The E3 2021 Digital Show is a free event for all attendees. We are excited to bring you all the real news from the event very soon.”

And another more specific statement made to VGC by ESA said that “there will be nothing at E3 2021 that will be behind a paid pass or paywall.”

ESA previously confirmed that this year’s E3 would be a digital event after E3 2020 was canceled due to COVID-19. Instead, the majority of the major publishers and platform owners have chosen to host their own individual events scattered throughout the summer months.

Rebekah Valentine is a journalist at IGN. You can find her on Twitter @duckvalentine.