Although they do not rule out that the event takes place normally, the organization already contemplates having to consider digital alternatives.
The most important German video game fair in Europe, Gamescom, has issued a statement regarding the global situation derived from the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). As they explain, despite the outbreak there are no plans to cancel the celebration of the event, scheduled for the end of this month of August; But they do declare that they are studying possibilities for a digital celebration if the situation worsens.
With just five months to go until Gamescom opens its doors, Europe remains largely confined to paralyze the coronavirus contingency. After PAX East, GDC and E3 2020 itself, one of the doubts on the table is knowing what will happen to Gamescom. There is a guarantee, as they explain in the note, and that is that the fair will be held “at least” through a digital format on the scheduled dates, from August 25 to 29.
Gamescom 2019
The evaluation of the situation is constant, but they call themselves in the middle of May – when exactly one quarter remains – to decide definitively whether or not to hold the fair in person in the German city of Cologne.
They even explain how they will proceed if the doors of the event are opened, which last year attracted more than 373,000 people. In the event that everything goes as desired, security measures will be applied to guarantee the health of assistants, employees, partners and other parties involved.
They point out, in turn, that the digital event held last year, the Opening Night Live, was widely accepted globally, with "millions" of telematic followers around the world. "Further expansion of our digital strategy is the way to go right now," says Felix Falk, managing director. "It goes without saying that the preparations are already well underway both physically and digitally," says Oliver Frese, director of the Koelnmesse GmbH, the venue where Gamescom takes place.
