It's an understatement to say that E3 2021 is different from years past. This year's show, an all-digital affair due to the coronavirus pandemic, is more like its old self than last year's outright cancellation, but it's still a far cry from the massive LA trade show fans have come to expect. But every cloud has a silver lining as the saying goes, and this year's smaller show has had an unexpected side-effect: Indies are getting a moment to shine.
Part of this phenomenon is a product of which games are available for the press to try for themselves. As a physical event, E3 has typically revolved around huge booths swarmed with big AAA games from major publishers. Some would be reserved behind a velvet rope with a tightly scripted demo performed by a member of the studio, but many were expected to be on the show floor. This year, the AAA hands-on demos are few and far between.
By comparison, indie devs appear eager to jump on the chance to put demos out. Xbox's Summer Game Fest partnership is putting up dozens of demos, many of them limited-time, with devs explicitly requesting feedback. These demos may be rough, as Microsoft warned in its announcement, but that's sort of the point: Indie developers are eager to hear feedback directly from the fans. That isn't to say that larger publishers don't appreciate fan feedback, but the personal connection with the audience--and potential for word-of-mouth engagement--is especially valuable for indies.
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