Gamescom 2020 cancelled due to Coronavirus, digital event happening instead


The team behind Gamescom have confirmed that iconic video game expo in Cologne, Germany will not be taking place this August because of Coronavirus.

Following in the footsteps of events like E3 and EGX Rezzed, Gamescom has had to cancel its physical form as the world attempts to stop the spread of COVID-19.

The good news is that an online event will be taking place digitally instead, so you'll still get a Gamescom-ish experience without the real-life element.

Read on to learn all the details about the Gamescom 2020 cancellation and the digital event that is rising from the trade show's ashes.

Gamescom 2020 has been cancelled

With a Tweet and a blog post, the cancellation of Gamescom 2020 has been announced in no uncertain terms.

"The nationwide ban on major events until 31 August announced yesterday by the German government" is cited in the blog as having "direct consequences for hosting gamescom 2020 at the Cologne fair grounds."

Hammering home what this means, the announcement adds: "This means that a business or entertainment area in the previous format will not be possible this year." There will not be a physical event.

Oliver Frese, Managing Director of Koelnmesse GmbH, offered this statement: "As the organizer, this decision is as painful for us as for the half million gamescom fans who come to Cologne every year to celebrate games together."

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Long live the Gamescom 2020 digital event!

The announcement is keen to stress that this news "does not change the fact that gamescom will definitely take place digitally.

"In addition to established formats such as gamescom: Opening Night Live and gamescom now, we are currently working intensively on the expansion of these offerings and introducing additional modules."

Further details about the digital Gamescom 2020 will be announced in mid-May, the blog states.

As the blog promises, "Further information on the handling of ticket and booking refunds will be made available in the coming weeks."

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