Geoff Keighley will skip E3 for first time in 25 years

Geoff Keighley, known for hosting The Game Awards, has revealed he won’t be attending E3 2020.  

The broadcaster, who has presented and produced E3 Coliseum over the past three years, announced on Twitter he wouldn’t be involved in the games trade show for the first time in 25 years.  

In a post, Keighley wrote: “For the past 25 years, I have attended every Electronic Entertainment Expo. Covering, hosting, and sharing E3 has always been a highlight of my year, not to mention a defining part of my career. 

“I’ve debated what to say about E3 2020. While I want to support the developers who will showcase their work, I also need to be open and honest with you, the fans, about precisely what to expect from me. 

“I have made the difficult decision to decline to produce E3 Coliseum. For the first time in 25 years, I will not be participating in E3. 

“I look forward to supporting the industry in other ways and at other events in the future.” 

Keighley’s absence is representative of the turning tide against E3, with Sony PlayStation previously announcing they wouldn’t appear at the show for the second year running.

While one presenter's absence won't exactly topple an entire event, the fact a key public figure in the industry won't be attending isn't exactly a promising sign for its future. This could also be a bid to focus more attention on The Game Awards, where he's an executive producer. 

In recent years, Nintendo have also stopped staging a press conference at the event in favour of their Direct online presentations, although they still have a presence at the show. This year they'll be joined by Microsoft at the event, who are set to showcase the Xbox Series X.

E3 2020 takes place from 9-11th June.