This year has been a particularly difficult one for the games industry with E3, one of the biggest video game events in the world, canceled due to the COVID-19 virus. Today sees another major event hit as Gamescom looks to be canceled and moved fully online. More details below.
Multiple industry sources told us a few weeks ago that talks had begun as to whether the event would continue amidst E3 being canceled due to the COVID-19 virus outbreak and today sees that a confirmation come true.
We were also told by one source attending the event that they had already pulled out of attending the event a few weeks ago from fears of being unable to receive spent money that would have gone towards booths, booth staffing, etc. It was clear from the offset that a cancelation was brewing if one of the biggest gaming events in the world, E3, had been canceled.
In view of #COVID19, existing digital formats such as #gamescom: Opening Night Live and gamescom now will be significantly expanded. Whether #gamescom2020 will take place as usual or as a digital gamescom will be determined in mid-May. https://t.co/1nm0bdbIDz pic.twitter.com/BlOgsOfuBD
— gamescom (@gamescom) March 31, 2020
In a statement provided on their website, Gamescom had this to say about the upcoming event:
After millions of fans throughout the world followed gamescom online last year, records are also expected to be surpassed in 2020. Koelnmesse and game – the German Games Industry Association jointly announced that gamescom will definitely take place at least in a digital format from 25 to 29 August.
You saw it correctly. "Gamescom will definitely take place at least in a digital format from 25 to 29 August" which Gamescom had a backup plan already in the works for a possible cancelation as the event was due to take place from August 25 to 29, but with the coronavirus outbreak ongoing, a cancelation seems only natural for the respect and health of the workers, game developers and members of the public.
With a physical cancelation coming and we're sure it is at this point, it's no doubt that the gaming industry will take another hit from this. What is important is that Gamescom is looking out for the wellbeing of all.
