ESA's iicon: A Corporate-Focused Gaming Event Replacing E3?

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) is launching iicon, the "interactive innovation conference," aiming to fill the void left by E3's demise. While lacking E3's catchy name, major players like Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft are onboard. However, marketing focuses on "visionaries" and "innovators," suggesting a corporate-centric event prioritizing partnerships and brand synergy over consumer-focused game reveals. This contrasts sharply with E3's heyday of major announcements. The inaugural iicon will be in April 2026, while consumer-facing events like Geoff Keighley's Summer Game Fest and The Game Awards continue to dominate.