Gamescom Will Go Ahead 'At Least In a Digital Format'

Gamescom will take place this year, according to the event's organizers, but whether or not that event will be exclusively digital or not is still under review. Gamescom is one of the largest video game conferences in the world and unlike other events in the space, namely E3, it hasn't yet announced a cancellation or postponement of its 2020 show as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The companies behind the show, Koelnmesse and the German Games Industry Association, otherwise known as Game, jointly posted a statement Tuesday to let consumers and developers alike know that Gamescom will take place in some form this year. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=games-to-play-while-stuck-at-home&captions=true"] "Millions of fans worldwide are excited about Gamescom 2020," Game Managing Director Felix Falk said in a statement. "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." Falk said fans can expect Opening Night Live and the Gamescom Now Portal to return as the event determines how to expand its digital strategy. Gamescom will still take place from August 25 to August 29 with the Devcom Developer Conference still set for August 22 through August 24. A mid-May evaluation will take place to determine how Gamescom can move forward with its usual Cologne-based presence, if at all. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/02/25/how-coronavirus-is-impacting-the-games-industry"] "If an on-site event is possible, there will also be more information at that state with regard to which changes need to be made in order to fully ensure the health of all visitors," the statement reads. "This has been arranged with the largest exhibitors, therefore all gamescom plans are continuing at full speed." Organizers will ensure that visitors and exhibitors receive refunds for paid tickets and other payments should the event go full-digital. Theme parks, movie productions, and some of the largest game conferences in the world have been cancelled or shut down for the time being as a result of the virus. Whether or not Gamescom's physical conference exhibition will join the list of cancelled or postponed events remains to be seen. Check out some of the ways you can help others and stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Wesley LeBlanc is a freelance news writer and guide maker for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @LeBlancWes.

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