The Entertainment Software Association, also known as the ESA, has announced 'iicon' - a new event that aims to "connect visionaries, thought leaders and innovators from across industries to harness the power of interactive entertainment".
This is the same organisation that put together E3, gaming's central summer convention in Los Angeles. Of course, that convention was finally put to bed in 2023, when the ESA expressed "the time has come to say goodbye" to E3.
While this event sounds more industry-focused than anything that involves much fan participation, some good news for us is that Microsoft has pledged support for the convention. Here's what Xbox president Sarah Bond had to say on Microsoft taking part:
"At Xbox, our mission is to bring the joy of gaming to players anywhere they want, while creating opportunities for the amazing creators behind them,
We appreciate the ESA establishing iicon as a platform to deepen connections among executives and thought leaders from within gaming, and from a wide range of partner industries. Together, we will collaborate, invent and create – and together we will all grow."
We don't know if iicon will have any sort of public-facing livestream show just yet, but the inaugural event is set to take place April 27-30, 2026, at the Fontainebleau Resort in Las Vegas.
Thoughts on iicon as it's been revealed so far? Let us know what you think down in the comments.
[source theesa.com]
Comments 9
E3 should never of ended it was great!
Is that pronounced eye-icon or eecon?
Shoulda called it E4.
@Markatron84 Opens them up to a lawsuit from Q Entertainment. Very fun Live Arcade game, though.
This could be pretty neat if it functions even remotely like E3 used to - either way whatever it is, if it's good for the industry, it's good for all of us.
Probably more of a behind the scenes developer/publisher meet and greet than a fan fest. The baseball winter meetings come to mind.
I think moving away from Los Angeles may be the best decision since their sales team had gotten a bit jaded in thinking they will always have E3; however, I am hesitant to believe that Las Vegas is the right destination for a replacement. This type of event really needs a city with a burgeoning tech scene, and honestly this feels a little tone deaf.
iicon is kind of a ccrappy nname
This sounds like it's going for more of a think tank type deal and looking to have more collaboration between the various leaders, business execs, and creative in the gaming industry. I like that. Doesn't sound like it'll produce anything useful for us as consumers though. At least not immediately (with trailers and the likes).
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...