Following the cancellation and postponements of much of the game industry’s calendar this year, the organiser of Gamescom has now posted an update on how the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus might affect the trade fair which takes place later this year. While the event is not confirmed as cancelled, the company has announced it’s evaluating recommendations “on a daily basis”.
The official Gamescom Twitter channel has posted a “short update on the current situation”, explaining it’s receiving enquiries about how the virus’ outbreak might impact on the 2020 show. “We take this topic very seriously because the health of all trade fair visitors and partners is our top priority,” the post reads, explaining that as the fair doesn’t take place until late August, it is “currently not affected” by a decree in Cologne prohibiting “all major events with more than 1,000 participants”, which currently applies until April 10.
“However,” it continues, “we will of course follow the recommendations of the responsible authorities regarding major events, evaluate them on a daily basis, and make our decisions after careful consideration. The preparations for Gamescom 2020 are continuing as planned according to the current status for the determined date.”
The statement adds that, if the event should be cancelled or postponed by the Koelnmesse exhibition centre, “all ticket purchasers of the official ticket shop will be reimbursed for the already paid visitor tickets.”
A short update on the current situation:
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ pic.twitter.com/nZH3qMMVvj— gamescom (@gamescom) March 16, 2020
Gamescom is due to take place from August 25 to 29, but with the coronavirus outbreak ongoing, it’s possible it could follow the cancellations or postponements of E3, GDC, and multiple esports events around the world.
The WHO has information and guidance on the COVID-19 virus on its website, which you can find here, as well as advice for the public on how to protect yourself against it.