Those responsible want to decide in mid-May whether Gamescom 2020 will have to be canceled as an event in the Cologne exhibition halls due to the coronavirus pandemic. In any case, one thing is certain: Gamescom is to take place in digital form at the usual time - corresponding media formats are to be expanded significantly. One thing is also certain: visitors and exhibitors will receive reimbursements if this year's Gamescom “on site” is canceled.

Although the world's largest event for computer and video games will only take place in five months, some of the planned measures have already been announced in view of the corona situation. Existing digital formats such as the opening ceremony “Gamescom: Opening Night Live” and the format “Gamescom now” are to be expanded and supplemented by additional modules. This is currently the plan of the organizers.
That sounds like the preparation for a cancellation of the fair. But: A final decision on whether Gamescom 2020 will take place in Cologne's exhibition halls or whether it will be canceled due to the corona pandemic and organized as a purely digital event will be made by those responsible in May.

Gamescom 2020 could be a purely digital gaming fair

After around a million fans around the world followed the new formats last year, the 2020 best online is to be exceeded. To this end, the makers of Gamescom are increasingly relying on the new digital orientation: Together, Koelnmesse and the Games Association of the German Games Industry announced that Gamescom will definitely take place in digital form from 25 to 29 August at least. In any case, there is no postponement of the date. The Devcom developer conference also falls under this idea.

A final assessment will take place in May, then in close coordination with the relevant state authorities. A Gamescom 2020 in the Cologne exhibition halls is still possible for the time being. In mid-May it was also foreseeable whether and which measures would have to be taken to protect the health of the visitors. This has “the highest priority”, according to Koelnmesse boss Oliver Frese.

Millions of fans worldwide are looking forward to Gamescom 2020. That is why we are determined to celebrate news, announcements and world premieres together with the community at the end of August this year. 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. With the global show Gamescom: Opening Night Live or the Gamescom now portal, we are already digitally reaching millions of Gamescom fans all over the world. Further expansion of our digital strategy is now exactly the right path.
Felix Falk, game manager

Should Gamescom take place purely digitally, fans can rely on the pioneering role that Gamescom is now playing in the implementation of such new formats. Trade fair boss Frese therefore even sees the Corona crisis as an opportunity to implement digital formats even more consistently. In the meantime, until the final decision, all preparations are still in full swing - also for a physical event on site in Cologne.

Fans will definitely watch the games fair in front of their screens. Photo: André Volkmann

Fans will definitely watch the games fair in front of their screens. Photo: André Volkmann

At the same time, the organizers inform that visitors will not only be reimbursed for the ticket prices already paid, but that the exhibitors will also be reimbursed 100 percent of the payments made to Koelnmesse, should Gamescom and Devcom not be able to take place on site in Cologne according to an official decision . Further information on the digital formats will be announced in the coming months.

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