Facebook Alongside Sony Interactive Entertainment Pulls Booths From GDC As Scare For Coronavirus Grows

While tension continues to grow immensely on the ongoing scare of widespread disease of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) illness to a global level, big name companies show their concern by withdrawing from upcoming fan events scheduled throughout the year. Yesterday, Sony Interactive Entertainment announced to be pulling out of next week’s PAX East in Boston, Massachusetts.

However, the firm has decided to continue on acting by now cancelling any participation in the approaching Game Developers Conference (GDC) event in San Francisco, California. Even more, Facebook has also issued to be withdrawing from the annual show simultaneously too.

Here is a statement provided by a spokesperson representing Facebook had to share on the abrupt decision:

Out of concern for the health and safety of our employees, our dev partners, and the GDC community, Facebook will not be attending this year’s Game Developer Conference due to the evolving public health risks related to COVID-19.

Despite the company’s attendance being pulled from GDC next month, Facebook has clarified to distribute upcoming announcements through other means like livestreamed presentations and online Q&As. With the company removing itself from the event’s show floor, this also includes the same-named Facebook Gaming alongside acquired Oculus being present at GDC as well.

Sony as well left a statement regarding the increasing concern growing around the spread of the coronavirus through these scheduled events. “We have made the difficult decision to cancel our participation in Game Developers Conference due to increasing concerns related to COVID-19 (also known as coronavirus). We felt this was the best option as the situation related to the virus and global travel restrictions are changing daily. We are disappointed to cancel our participation, but the health and safety of our global workforce is our highest concern.”

Reported before, Sony Interactive Entertainment has stated to be attending “hundreds” of other related events throughout the course of 2020, but with the swelling concern of this illness potentially spreading, the decision might be retracted further on as the year develops.

What are your thoughts on these companies pulling their attendance from major events?

GDC will commence on March 16, 2020 and will proceed until March 20, 2020.

Source: Gamesindustry.biz