iicon is a new show, from the makers of E3
The Electronic Software Association, or the ESA have announced a new show for videogames, but this is not a replacement E3, but is something else all together. Welcome iicon or the Interactive Innovation Conference, which kicks off in April 2026.
This new show will be focused more on the game making side of things, rather than the game playing, so the event more of a trade show. The debut show will offer up keynote speeches, workshops and talks and chances to speak with those leaders across the industry who are leading the way.
While the videogame side of things are the core of the show, there will also be a chance to learn all about other entertainment mediums like movies and tv, sports, education and even healthcare, yeah that last one confuses us as well.
This is not just some random show that was started up by the ESA, who have been fairly quiet since E3 ended, but they already have support from some of the gaming industries biggest studios. These are the confirmed supporters:
Amazon Games*
Disney*
Electronic Arts*
Epic Games
Microsoft*
Nintendo of America
Sony Interactive Entertainment*
Square Enix
Take-Two Interactive*
Ubisoft
Warner Bros. Games
Those studios marked with * were either not at E3, or dropped out of E3 years before the show died, so there is a good number of them stepping back in for this one.
Now before you rush out to get yourself a ticket and hotel in Las Vegas, the show will be invite only. That means that we are likely not to get game reveals or presentations like we would see at a show like E3 or others of the same style. There will no doubt be news, you can’t have a show run for 4 days and not have news, but it will be more business and tech focused, over anything else.
The show will take place from April 27 to April 30 in Las Vegas, USA; the full schedule is not known at this time and will likely only beknown to attendees. For now, here are some quotes from various leaders from some of the companies committed to attending.
“The Entertainment Software Association and its member companies are among the innovators and leaders shaping the future of culture, business and human connection. 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.”
“Video games have been a major contributor to our global culture by blending entertainment, creating communities and pushing new technologies. iicon will be an incredible forum where business leaders and innovators can join forces to celebrate our industry’s achievements and to build the future of entertainment together.”
“Take-Two Interactive is a long-standing member and proud supporter of ESA. iicon represents the ongoing evolution of the interactive entertainment industry and its irrefutable ascendance as the most beloved art form and cultural influence in the world today. We look forward to participating in this event and convening with a broad array of stakeholders to further what we believe to be one of the strongest periods in our industry’s history.”
“Video games push the boundaries of technology and creativity, extending far beyond entertainment. We look forward to iicon bringing together visionary leaders from the industry and beyond to shape the future impact of games.”
“At Xbox, our mission is to bring the joy of gaming to players anywhere they want, while creating opportunities for the amazing creators behind them. We appreciate the ESA establishing iicon as a platform to deepen connections among executives and thought leaders from within gaming, and from a wide range of partner industries. Together, we will collaborate, invent and create – and together we will all grow.”
So is another show good news or bad news? What do you think of the makers of E3 making a GDC style show, or do you think it will be something else?
