With the announcement of the “lockdown light” by the federal and state governments, including the announcement that major events would initially be canceled until August 31, it was clear: Gamescom 2020 will not take place in Cologne as an on-site trade fair. Now the organizers are making it official and are announcing Gamescom as a purely digital event. Visitors and exhibitors will receive reimbursements, information on how to proceed will follow.

Actually one had Want to decide in mid-Mayin what form this year's Gamescom in Cologne should be carried out. There was no doubt that the video game fair would take place. The organizers hoped that the containment measures would be lifted so that the fair in August could possibly be held as a “physical event” on site.

Gamescom 2020 will be a purely digital gaming event

The federal and state governments of the exhibition organizers have now accepted the decision: The current decree of the state government prohibits major events until August 31, including Gamescom. Also affected is the developer conference “devcom”, which is not completely canceled, but its format is being adapted.

The nationwide ban on major events hits the event industry hard. If fans and organizers still had a glimmer of hope for a Gamescom at Koelnmesse, this was stifled when the changes to the pandemic containment measures were announced. Neither the business area nor the entertainment area will be in the tried and tested form this year.

Such scenes are not compatible with "Corona". Full games halls will only be available again in 2021. Photo: André Volkmann

Such scenes are not compatible with “Corona”. Photo: André Volkmann

“That doesn't change the fact that Gamescom will definitely take place digitally,” said those responsible. The formats Gamescom: Opening Night Live or Gamescom now, which are already geared towards a digital spectacle, are now being expanded accordingly, and new modules are to be introduced with which a Gamescom experience can be brought home to fans. In any case, the organizers are working flat out on the implementation of the digital event structure.

First details in mid-May

In mid-May, however, there is still a significant period of time: that is when those responsible want to announce “first concrete information on digital Gamescom”.

Koelnmesse boss Oliver Frese explains that the cancellation is painful - at the same time, however, they are now looking forward to digital Gamescom 2020. Later trade fairs will then be held again in “analogue form” on the Koelnmesse site, the managing director hopes. Felix Falk, Managing Director of the Game Association, is also looking forward to the digital event: “Opening Night Live and Gamescom now and will also present new and exciting digital formats”.

Our goal is clear: Gamescom will again be 'The Heart of Gaming' for millions of fans around the world this year.
Felix Falk, managing director of game

It is already clear that not only will the visitors be reimbursed for tickets already paid, but also that the exhibitors will be reimbursed 100 percent of the payments made to Koelnmesse. More information will be available in the coming weeks on how to process reimbursements for tickets and bookings.

The special Gamescom 2020 will take place on August 25th for trade visitors and on August 26th for private visitors.

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