Education
E3 2020 Cancelled: Organizers Looking at Alternative Options to Continue Event
Electronic Entertainment Expo or E3 2020, the biggest gaming event of the world has been cancelled, to the disappointment of gaming fans and supporters. However, it has a good reason following the coronavirus outbreak. Canceling the event will ensure the safety of every one given that COVID-19 is easily spread in various ways.
But organizers are looking for ways to push through with the event despite not having an actual gathering. ESA wrote in a private memo released to their partners that they are looking at other options for an online E3 2020 event. This is a good alternative, especially that the participants are also staying at home to protect themselves from the virus.
In a statement, the ESA said, "We are very disappointed that we are unable to hold this event for our fans and supporters. We know it's the right decision based on the information we have today."
The group also said that they would reach out to exhibitors and attendees with information about how they can get a full refund.
"We are also exploring options with our members to coordinate an online experience to showcase industry announcements and news in June 2020. Updates will be shared on E3expo.com," ESA added.
Because of the E3 2020 cancellation, Xbox boss Phil Spencer said that Microsoft is planning to conduct its own "Xbox digital event" in lieu of E2 2020. On the other hand, Ubisoft also announced that it considering other available options that will allow the video game company to share all exciting news, which they are supposed to announce in the event.
Gaming enthusiasts are aware that this event unveils many interesting announcements like new games, new consoles, and other updates. However, it will no longer concern the best online casino with live dealers since it is handled by different companies who may not be a partner of ESA. Online casinos can easily be accessed through web browsers of apps. But it is not yet known if there is a new update regarding this niche.
Reactions of the cancellation
Following the announcement of E3's cancellation, there has been a mix of reactions from fans. Others are sad and disappointed while there are some who feel relieved that they won't be exposing themselves to coronavirus really soon. Losing E3 is like missing out the chance to connect with other people from the gaming industry and to meet new friends and expand their community.
Developers and publishers of E3 2020 also made their respective announcements while promising fans that they will continue showing off their supposed-presentation during the event. Still, others are expressing their sympathy for those who worked hard in preparing for E3, only to end up getting cancelled.
Meanwhile, a netizen expressed on Twitter that he is not worried about the cancellation. But another Twitter user said that he is sand over the cancellation despite a very reasonable cause. Other fans are not surprised that this happened because the government bans huge gatherings, which may be the cause of more virus spread.
Other big events cancelled
Apart from E3, other big gatherings were also postponed like Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2020, Emerald City Comic Con, and others. Non-gaming related events like Coachella and concerts of big stars like Celine Dion are also cancelled due to the same reason.
E3 2020 was supposed to take place on June 9 to 11, despite the absence of many key players. But the current situation of the coronavirus will not allow this to push through. Although it is cancelled, ESA will still conduct the event next year.
The coronavirus pandemic
Coronavirus, which originated in Wuha, China, has spread outside the country. The number of death tolls and infections is growing each day, which worries global leaders for fear that their constituents will succumb because of the virus. Thousands of people are getting free tests to determine if they are affected. Those with milder symptoms may stay at home and fight the virus by doing simple things. There had been accounts that, despite being home quarantined, they managed to defeat the virus.
After over two months, World Health Organization (WHO) has officially announced that coronavirus has become a pandemic. WHO Director-General TedrosAdhanomGhebreyesus said that now that the pandemic alarm has been raised all over the world. He also urges that people stay informed about the virus and that they protect one another in combating a common threat.
A pandemic means disease has spread in different countries across continents in the world, all at the same time. Statistics reveal that the novel coronavirus has killed more than 4,200 worldwide and has infected more than 118,000.
Education
Scaler appoints new heads for its online and offline businesses
Amar Srivastava becomes chief executive of the online business and group chief product officer; Vidit Jain takes charge of the offline schools
BENGALURU: Scaler is shuffling its top deck as the AI skilling race heats up. The Bengaluru-based tech education company has elevated two senior executives to lead its online and offline businesses, signalling a sharper push into an AI-driven market.
Amar Srivastava, previously senior vice president for product and business, has been appointed chief executive of the online business and group chief product officer. Vidit Jain has been elevated to senior vice president and head of Scaler School, taking charge of the company’s offline education units, the Scaler School of Business and the Scaler School of Technology.
The company has also recently appointed Ratnakar Reddy as head of enterprise for India and the Middle East and North Africa, with a brief to drive partnerships with governments and enterprises for AI-led skilling programmes.
Abhimanyu Saxena, co-founder of Scaler, said the promotions reflect the company’s confidence in both leaders and the direction it is heading. “Amar and Vidit have been central to Scaler’s journey, and their elevations reflect our conviction in their leadership and the direction we are shaping as a company,” he said. “With leadership now in place across the business, we remain focused on building engineers the world’s best companies want to hire. In an AI-first economy, that mission is more urgent and more achievable than ever. Our next chapter is centred on building an AI-native workforce from India, equipped to compete in a technology-driven global economy.”
Srivastava brings over a decade of experience building education-focused ventures. He previously founded Intellify and was part of the early team at Doubtnut. At Scaler, he will lead the online business with a focus on growth, profitability and expansion into new segments, while strengthening the product ecosystem across the group. He is blunt about what the AI economy actually needs. “The AI economy does not have a shortage of tools. It has a shortage of engineers who can think clearly, build reliably, and keep learning as the ground shifts. That is what we are building toward,” he said.
Jain brings more than 15 years of experience across startups and consulting, including stints at MPL and McKinsey and Company. He will oversee growth and profitability of Scaler’s offline business. His priorities are immediate and unambiguous. “The offline experience is where depth gets built, and that depth is critical in the AI era. Over the next 12 months, our focus will be on consistent growth, stronger unit economics, and delivering outcomes for students while building long-term employer partnerships,” he said.
Founded in 2019, Scaler is valued at $710 million and backed by Peak XV Partners, Tiger Global and Lightrock India. Its parent firm, InterviewBit, has featured on the Financial Times’ Asia Pacific High Growth Companies rankings every year from 2021 to 2025. On average, Scaler’s learners see a 4.5x return on investment and a salary increase of around 126 per cent.
With leadership locked in across every business unit, Scaler is betting that the next wave of global tech hiring will be won or lost on the quality of engineers coming out of India. It is a big bet. But the numbers, and the promotions, suggest the company is in no mood to hedge.
