There has been a noticeable shift toward digital formats for gaming showcases. It is interesting to observe that journalists and fans can now follow major industry events without attending in person.
When Geoff Keighley launched Summer Game Fest in 2020, it was a response to the pandemic halting in-person events. It is fascinating how something that began as a workaround has now become the primary way summer gaming news is delivered. Just last week, from June 2 to June 8, 2026, Sony’s State of Play, Summer Game Fest, the Xbox Games Showcase, and Nintendo Direct all took place online.
Previously, E3 served as the major in-person event for announcements from Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo. With E3 gone, Summer Game Fest stepped in and made the experience digital, making it much easier for people to tune in without concerns about travel or expensive tickets.
There were plenty of announcements throughout the week. Sony’s State of Play revealed Marvel’s Wolverine, set for release on September 15, 2026, and God of War: Laufey. Summer Game Fest showed off the Resident Evil: Code Veronica remake, Alien: Isolation 2, and Final Fantasy VII Revelation. The Xbox Games Showcase included Gears of War: E-Day, an Xbox exclusive coming out on October 6, and updates for Fable. Nintendo Direct announced a remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and gave new details about the Switch 2.
Together, the four events offered more than 15 hours of presentations, getting fans excited for games coming in 2026 and 2027. “Even without attending in person, the digital format made it possible to follow every announcement in real time,” said Davies Green, a fellow gamer and fan of Summer Game Fest. “It felt accessible compared to the old E3 days.”
All of this highlights how the industry has changed since the pandemic and continues to adapt. It is clear that journalists and fans can now keep up with gaming news from anywhere, and the excitement for remakes, sequels, and new platforms remains strong, even without attending events in person.