Angela Merkel's government has extended the ban on large crowd events until August 31; the fair is no exception.
The Gamescom organization has updated its statement regarding the celebration of Gamescom 2020, the most important video game event in Europe that was scheduled to take place this August in Cologne, Germany. In accordance with the measures decreed by the German government led by Angela Merkel due to the severity of the coronavirus, which extends until 31 August the ban on large-scale events, this year's edition will only be in digital format.
It is an idea that they have been considering since April 1: there will be Gamescom, in one way or another. So they did not rule out being able to transfer their plans to a completely digital environment, which did not exempt the objective of reaching the attendees with advertisements and, on the other hand, entertainment for consumers.
❗ Even though not all details are known at present, the nationwide ban on major events until the end of August will also affect the planning for # gamescom2020. Furthermore: gamescom 2020 will definitely take place digitally! We will provide further information shortly. ❗
– gamescom (@gamescom) April 15, 2020
The restrictions of the German government also include social distancing, so a small event is something that was not even considered as an option for the organization. "Although all the details are not yet known, the nationwide ban on large events until the end of August will also affect the planning of Gamescom 2020", begins by indicating the organization of the event through a message published on the social network Twitter . “But yes: Gamescom 2020 will definitely take place digitally. We will give more information soon ”, he concludes.
The organization was already working with this possibility in mind
After PAX East, GDC and E3 2020 itself, it was expected that the rapid expansion of COVID-19 would be such that Gamescom would not be left out of these preventive measures, since the planned dates were fixed for the period of 25 to May 29. The organization indicated that they constantly evaluate the situation but an event that attracted more than 373,000 people last year falls within the category of maximum risk as it is also international in nature.
"Further expansion of our digital strategy is the way to go right now," says Felix Falk, managing director, and it will be. No details have been disclosed about a possible new edition of the Opening Night Live, an opening gala that took place just before Gamescom 2019 began. "Needless to say, the preparations are already well underway both physically and digitally," he said. Oliver Frese, director of the Koelnmesse GmbH, venue where Gamescom has been held for years with few exceptions.
