As the digital world enables more and more players to get closer to the games and studios they love, physical events need to evolve to stay relevant. Gamescom and The Game Awards are two good examples; however, the times changing has claimed an iconic victim in the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), which last took place in 2021 and has been put on the shelf in 2023. But now, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) is making a comeback, sort of, with the announcement of the Interactive Innovation Conference, or Iicon.
Interactive Innovation Conference (Iicon)
While gamers might start getting excited again, hold your horses. This is not E3 reborn, but rather, Iicon is an invite-only event. It will provide industry attendees with “exclusive access to visionary keynotes, engaging discussions and workshops, and elite networking opportunities with executives shaping the future of entertainment, business and technology.”
Said executives will come from major gaming companies, including the likes of Amazon Games, Disney, Electronic Arts, Epic Games, Microsoft, Nintendo of America, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Square Enix, Take-Two Interactive, Ubisoft and Warner Bros.
“The Entertainment Software Association and its member companies are among the innovators and leaders shaping the future of culture, business and human connection,” ESA chairman Doug Bowser shared about the Interactive Innovation Conference. “It’s a natural role for ESA to host and support an event that fosters an open exchange of new ideas with our peer industry leaders.
“Iicon is bringing together changemakers from across industries to envision how the strengths of the interactive entertainment industry can break entirely new ground.” This industry event will bring the industry together sans the players, and it will also function as a lobbying group for the greater good, at least that’s the hope.
The conference will take place from April 27 to 30 2026, and will be held at the Fontainebleau Resort in Las Vegas.
