E3 2021’s online app will feature ‘virtual booths, leaderboards’ and more

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has detailed the E3 2021 online portal and app.

The show’s organiser said they will serve as a key hub throughout the event, offering fans and media an “interactive experience” featuring virtual exhibitor booths, places to hang and chat with other users, and gamified show elements.

The online portal will open on June 7 for a media week offering early access to show exhibitors, ahead of public access from June 12, which is the first day of E3’s live broadcast.

The ESA said the public version of the portal and app will include:

• 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

Registration for access to the online portal will be free and begin later this month.

E3 2021 takes place from June 12-15. The ESA said the live broadcast will feature major publisher showcases, press conferences, panels and more.

It will be hosted by Alex ‘Goldenboy’ Mendez, Jacki Jing and Greg Miller, and feature interactive overlays powered by Hovercast, displaying viewer polls and featured social tweets.

The live broadcast will also be viewable via Twitch, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook.

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Games companies confirmed to be participating in the event include Nintendo, Xbox, Capcom, Ubisoft, Take-Two, Warner Bros. Games, Koch Media, Sega, Square Enix and Bandai Namco.

“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 livestream,” said ESA CEO Stanley Pierre-Louis.

“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.”