Why some publishers didn't need to attend E3 2022

Source: Entertainment Software Association

Later a pandemic-related hiatus in 2022, E3 made its big return this year. With the ESA currently contesting to maintain the relevance of this almanac event and counter the extremely negative PR surrounding a data leak that compromised the personal data of over 2,000 journalists, the visitor was aggressively invested in proving why E3 matters in the year 2022.

Unfortunately for the ESA, this event is but every bit large and successful equally its partners. While on newspaper it certainly seemed like E3 2022 would have its usual cast of large publishing players, it quickly became very clear that not anybody needed to attend the year's biggest gaming showcase.

Kudos to the difficult work and successes of E3 2022

Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase Source: Microsoft

Earlier we dive into the missteps, blunders, and baffling decisions made by some of the ESA's biggest publishing partners, I practise want to take a moment to recognize the hard work and energy the members of these teams surely committed to producing a digital showcase in time for E3 2022. My goal here isn't to belittle or write off the efforts of these individuals, only rather to question the leadership decisions that led to some of these less-than-stellar presentations.

It's besides worth noting that not every showcase from E3 2022 landed with a thud. In fact, companies like Xbox, Nintendo, and Devolver Digital delivered in big ways. The impressive demonstrations from a few of these publishers near took me back to the adept ol' days when E3 was unquestionably the near important moment of the year for video games. Unfortunately, for every Xbox-level presentation, several others failed to justify their attendance in a meaningful way. Let's talk near some of the worst offenders.

Capcom fails to impress at E3 2022

Capcom Home Arcade Source: Windows Central

The first showcase that comes to mind was from the folks at Capcom. I absolutely love Capcom and many of its franchises so it was especially disappointing for me to see its showcase underwhelm in such a spectacular way. The visitor did try to prepare expectations alee of this presentation by maxim games like "The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles, Monster Hunter Stories 2, Monster Hunter Rising, and Resident Evil Village" would be present, merely I don't think whatsoever of us truly expected that these games would literally be the only ones shown. Male child, were nosotros wrong.

I empathize the want of wanting to make an appearance during a week where the world has its eyes on gaming, but I can't imagine this did much to motility the needle for Capcom fans.

Not only did Capcom exclusively discuss these four previously announced or released titles, but they likewise didn't exercise much to provide compelling new information near any of them. Resident Evil Village, which was anticipated to exist a standout from this showcase, only got a launch window (not even a hard release date) for the delayed RE: Verse and a splash screen stating that information technology just started production on DLC for the main game. Monster Hunter Stories 2, which nosotros saw several times throughout E3 2022, but got an additional gameplay trailer. Monster Hunter Rising only mentioned some crossover content with Monster Hunter Stories 2, and The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles got a gameplay breakdown that felt similar it lasted an eternity.

I genuinely believe that standalone weblog posts breaking down each of these pieces of news would have landed in a more impactful mode. While I practise requite Capcom some credit for keeping this showcase fairly brief, with its biggest upcoming release in Monster Hunter Stories 2 making appearances during other conferences, this particular digital presentation truly felt unnecessary. Other fumbles similar the half-news regarding Resident Evil Village didn't do much to satiate fans' desires for more than Resident Evil information and honestly only left many with more questions than answers.

I empathise the desire of wanting to make an appearance during a week where the globe has its optics on gaming, merely I can't imagine this did much to move the needle for Capcom fans.

Other notable E3 2022 blunders

Randy Magic Source: Windows Cardinal

Capcom certainly wasn't the simply publisher that failed to deliver a compelling or meaningful presentation at E3 2022. Other companies like Gearbox managed to deliver far more than offensive and shockingly memorable showcases. Fans expecting details on Borderlands 4 or fifty-fifty teases for further Borderlands 3 DLC were instead treated to Randy Pitchford roaming around the set of the upcoming Borderlands moving-picture show.

What about a deep dive into the recently revealed Tiny Tina'south Wonderlands game? It seemed like a no-brainer, but instead, viewers were treated to a repeat of the reveal trailer and then a painful reminder that Godfall nevertheless exists. You know it'southward bad when over the course of a 30-infinitesimal showcase, the biggest news is that Godfall is getting DLC.

Some might argue that Gearbox had the worst presentation of E3 2022 and they'd accept some stiff testify to point to, but others believe that the ii-60 minutes Koch Primetime showcase takes the cake. With a combination of gameplay trailers and incredibly extended interviews, the pacing for Koch Media's E3 showing was all over the place. With some legitimately exciting game reveals like a Painkiller sequel and a new Gungrave, a much shorter runtime could have made this a legitimately great show. Unfortunately, even the most hardcore fans found themselves sitting through this media gauntlet. Because of the gruelingly ho-hum pacing, it almost seems like breakout reveals and trailers for their biggest games would have gotten more attention.

The impacts of the pandemic are still apparent

E3 2022 Image Source: ESA

In the U.S., it finally seems like nosotros are legitimately on the other side of the worst of this global pandemic. I empathise the overwhelming desire for things to go back to normal and E3 embodied those wishes in a major mode for the gaming industry. E3 2022 was incredibly of import for many reasons and it's impossible to deny how special it was seeing these teams, as well as fans, come together to share in their beloved of gaming.

Despite all the chaos and noise of the past twelvemonth though, it did feel like some teams were trying to ignore or downplay the severity of COVID-19 by scraping together whatever they had to show, putting on a big smile, and making an appearance at E3. Every bit heady as it was to see companies like Xbox, Capcom, Bandai Namco, Nintendo, Square Enix, Gearbox, Koch Media, and many others all listed on the same bill, with everything going on in the earth effectually us, I wish some of these publishers would accept been ok with only skipping E3 2022.

Share your thoughts!

What were your highlights from E3 2022? Let us know in the comment section beneath! Be certain to check out our roundup of the all-time games of E3 2022 and if y'all're looking for something to play while you wait for those incredible games, feel free to browse our list of the best games on Xbox Game Pass.

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