In early March, the German Games Industry Association (GGIA) and Gamescom commissioners were looking to go through with Gamescom 2020, but due to growing coronavirus concerns, the team took into consideration of going digital later that month. As of now, the GGIA and Gamescom commissioners have announced that Gamescom 2020 will no longer take place physically but digitally in August.
The Gamescom organizers have updated their plans for this year once again, according to a new tweet. This means the physical portion of the trade show will no longer appear in the next four months.
Instead, the organizers will go digital and expand on Gamescom: Opening Night Live and Gamescom 2020 through “new modules.”
As for the tweet mentioned above detailing what the GGIA and Gamescom commissioners are planning on doing can be seen right here:
Official statement regarding #gamescom2020 ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/fHaN4GOULM
— gamescom (@gamescom) April 16, 2020
If you can see the above tweet, the written version lies below:
“Dear gamescom community,
It’s official: unfortunately, gamescom will under no circumstances take place on site in Cologne this year. Just like many of you, we are disappointed, because, as the gamescom team, we have been working on a wonderful gamescom 2020 for months, just like the many exhibitors. However, it is also quite clear to us that, in the face of the corona pandemic, we must stand united. This means that we must all be considerate of each other and reduce the risk of infection.
We are, however, already working at full speed on a digital gamescom. It is, after all, the world’s biggest event for games, and that’s what it should be again this year. You can already look forward to how we will celebrate the best games and gamescom together with you and millions of gamers worldwide at the end of August, even if it will only be digital and not on location this time. Because one thing is certain: this year too, gamescom is and will remain “The Heart of Gaming”!
We will reveal more about this in the next few weeks. Until then, stay healthy and and don’t forget to #StayHomePlayTogether!
Your gamescom team
Regarding already purchased tickets:
All paid tickets will be refunded. Koelnmesse will arrange this centrally in the coming weeks. There is nothing further for you to do.”
In other words, if you may have paid for a ticket to see/attend the live portion of the European games event, then you will be refunded.
The above information should come in as no surprise given the GGIA and commissioners over Gamescom planned on going digital while evaluating the physical and digital portions of the event back in late March — this also included reimbursing potential visitors too.
Lastly, Geoff Keighley, the creator of the Game Awards, is expected to host the opening show.
Finally, Gamescom 2020 is slated to go live in Cologne, Germany, on August 25th. The Opening Night Live event, like last year, will start before the actual show goes live.
