While vaccinations are rolling out faster than many anticipated at this segment of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is presumed that normalcy is to resume fairly soon, right? Well, it appears that organizers for major video game shows are not prepared to open its doors to in-person events just yet. Already, E3 was told to be cancelling its physical show for a virtual, three-day experience for this June.
As for the late summer Gamescom over in Cologne, Germany, the show was already slated for the third week of August as per Opening Night Live host Geoff Keighley previously. For 2020, of course, Gamescom resulted to hosting an online-only event in replacement of the annual show in summer.
So as no surprise, Gamescom is following in the footsteps of last year’s show. In a press release from organizers Koelnmesse and GAME, Gamescom is to go fully digital later this August.
We, as the game industry, also want to use Gamescom to show that innovations and bold developments are the best way to deal with such crises. With this in mind, the gamescom team has been hard at work for months on Gamescom 2021, especially on the digital elements.
Next year will be the first time that we will be able to implement many of the new concepts for the hybrid format of Gamescom. For digital Gamescom 2021, our focus is to provide even more games and reach as well as a heightened community atmosphere.
We are therefore introducing a completely new concept called Gamescom epix, which sends the community on a joint quest journey in social media even before Gamescom begins. What we want to do with this is transfer even more of the unique Gamescom atmosphere to the digital world. Together with our numerous partners, we want to make Gamescom the world’s biggest gaming event again in 2021.
Felix Falk, German Games Industry Association Managing Director
Koelnmesse Chief Operating Officer Oliver Frese also went on to assert, “Together with game – The German Games Industry Association, we have put all our energy into making gamescom 2021 in a hybrid format possible for fans and industry alike.
“However, even though the hybrid concept was very well received by the partners, we had to recognize that gamescom still comes too early for many companies in the industry due to the required planning reliability. One thing is absolutely clear: All those involved now need planning reliability.”
What are you most excited for Gamescom’s digital show this summer?
Gamescom is to go live on August 23, 2021 to August 27, 2021.
