E3 2016

The Electronic Entertainment Expo 2016 (E3 2016) was the 22nd E3, during which several hardware manufacturers and software developers and publishers from the video game industry presented new and upcoming products to the attendees, primarily retailers and members of the video game press. The event, organized by the Entertainment Software Association, took place at the Los Angeles Convention Center from June 14–16, 2016. Approximately 50,300 people attended the event, slightly down from the previous year's. With video game consoles currently a couple years into their 8th generation, the focus of E3 2016 was primarily on new software titles, with new hardware revisions and auxiliary equipment to support the growing market sectors of 4K resolution displays and virtual reality headsets.

The Expo started two days after the mass shooting at an Orlando, Florida nightclub. It was also three days after the murder of Christina Grimmie, who was a big Zelda fan and was scheduled to make an appearance at the expo. To show support for victims of the tragedy, the exhibitors at the Expo made changes to their presentations and plans. Flags outside the Convention Center were lowered to half-mast. Bethesda and Nintendo wore rainbow-colored ribbon pins during their press conferences in support of the victims, Microsoft and Nintendo opened their presentations with a moment of silence for Grimmie and the other victims. Sony's Chairman Shawn Layden started his presentation with a brief speech on the Orlando shooting and Nintendo president, Reggie Fils-Aimé, gave his condolences to Grimmie's family and fans before starting his keynote speech. Other developers planned to alter their approach to social media announcements during the Expo to avoid statements that would be counter to the current national mood after the event.