Gamescom 2020, the massive Germany-based video game convention, is officially canceled. The Gamescom organization confirmed Thursday morning that this year’s scheduled convention is no longer taking place and that ticket purchases will be fully refunded. The COVID-19 pandemic was cited as the main reason for Gamescom 2020’s cancellation, or more specifically the health and safety of all potential Gamescom 2020 attendees.
While the in-person Gamescom 2020 convention has been canceled, the team states clearly that an alternative digital event is currently being planned. The message states that fans can “already look forward to” a digital Gamescom event at the end of August. The Gamescom team plans to reveal more information about the digital even in the next few weeks.
One detail about Gamescom’s digital plans has been confirmed, though. The Game Awards showrunner Geoff Keighley confirmed on Twitter that the Gamescom: Opening Night Live digital event remains planned as an all-digital show. The event will be live-streamed globally on Monday, August 24.
The announcement of Gamescom’s cancellation comes shortly after widespread speculation about such an event. Germany recently extended its quarantine policies through the end of August, making a Gamescom convention all but impossible. There was really no way to avoid canceling the Cologne, Germany event.
There’s still some speculation that Gamescom may try and hold its convention somewhere other than Germany. Even the announcement of Gamescom 2020’s cancellation hints at other plans. The message starts with “It’s official: unfortunately, Gamescom will under no circumstances take place on site in Cologne this year.” By no means does this necessarily mean there will be a replacement Gamescom somewhere outside of Germany, but it does imply that the Gamescom team is considering it and leaving itself room in that direction if it so chooses.
Gamescom 2020 is just the latest event to be canceled as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Convention across the world are having to cancel plans as a result of social distancing policies that prevent groups of variable sizes from gathering. Even with Gamescom 2020 taking place in August, well after expected infection peaks, the risk of a second wave for the pandemic must be taken extremely seriously. If everything goes well, perhaps Gamescom 2021 will be manageable.
