We had reported: Because of the current Ban on major events in the wake of the corona crisis, the Gamescom 2020 trade fair cannot take place as usual. The federal government had decided on the measure on April 15, the ban should initially apply until the end of August.
Gamescom is affected by this because the fair is to take place in Cologne from August 26th to 29th, 2020. A day later we now have certainty: Gamescom does not take place in Cologne, but purely digital. A corresponding statement has been published on the official website.
As Oliver Frese, the managing director of Kölnmesse GmbH, announced, Gamescom 2020 will not take place on site. Indeed The organizers move large parts of the event into the digital spaceto offer players from all over the world an exciting program around the latest games.
"As an organizer, this decision hurts us just as it does the half million gamescom fans who come to Cologne every year to celebrate games together. We're already looking forward to the digital gamescom 2020 – just like our trade fairs, which we can then carry out again in "analog" form on our site from September. "
The well-known formats: They are now working "under high pressure" to realize the well-known livestream formats of Gamescom 2020, such as the Gamescom Opening Night, in high quality for viewers.
New formats: In addition, the organizers will discuss new ideas to close the gap due to the failure of the physical fair. How exactly the new formats will look is not yet clear.
Soon there will be information: The organizers want to communicate initial information about what Gamescom 2020 will look like in digital form in mid-May.
Tickets will be refunded
All visitors who have already bought tickets for Gamescom 2020 can register refund the money. Exhibitors also get paid 100 percent back.
The Gamescom team wants more information in the coming weeks announce the execution of this procedure.