Gamescom 2020 has been confirmed to still take place. The event looks to be a digital endeavor, akin to the Game Design Carnival. Organizers Koelnmesse and Game (The German Games Industry Association) had jointly announced this, planning for an August 225th-29th time period.
In addition to this reveal, both companies will determine if both events can take place on-site in Cologne. Based on the latest developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, the result is still somewhat unclear. If an on-site gathering is possible, an announcement will follow about what changes need to be made.
Another bit of information released stating what happens if Gamescom or Devcom cannot take place in person. In the event of that happening, visitors will be refunded and reimbursed in full for payments made to Koelnmesse.
Statements and Other Information
A pair of statements was also released by the organizers in relation to the Gamescom 2020 digital situation. You can read them below, and they’re separated by which source it comes from.
From Felix Falk, Game Managing Director:
“Millions of fans worldwide are excited about Gamescom 2020. That is why we are determined to celebrate the latest news, announcements and world premieres together with the community again this year at the end of August. In view of the corona crisis, we are now expanding all digital formats at full speed so that Gamescom 2020 can at least take place digitally in any case. We already reach millions of Gamescom fans worldwide with the global show Gamescom: Opening Night Live and the Gamescom now portal. Further expansion of our digital strategy is the way to go right now.”
And from Oliver Frese, Koelnmesse Managing Director:
“Gamescom and Koelnmesse already rank among the digital pioneers in the international trade fair landscape. We therefore also see the current corona crisis as a chance to implement digital event formats even more. Gamescom 2020 offers the perfect platform for this. When we reassess the situation in mid-May for all Gamescom formats at the Cologne fair grounds, the health of our visitors will be our top priority. It goes without saying that preparations are well underway both physically and digitally.”
Stay tuned for further updates regarding Gamescom 2020, and we’ll notify you if other changes occur.
What do you think about the possibility of making Gamescom 2020 digital? Do you think it will come to light, or do you think that the showcase will happen in person? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.