Several other events have been cancelled or postponed – one cancelled event would be E3, but multiple companies are already planning an alternative.
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) released a statement: „After careful consultation with our member companies regarding the health and safety of everyone in our industry—our fans, our employees, our exhibitors and our longtime E3 partners—we have made the difficult decision to cancel E3 2020, scheduled for June 9 to 11 in Los Angeles. Following increased and overwhelming concerns about the COVID-19 virus, we felt this was the best way to proceed during such an unprecedented global situation. We are very disappointed that we are unable to hold this event for our fans and supporters. But we know it’s the right decision based on the information we have today.
Our team will be reaching out directly to exhibitors and attendees with information about providing full refunds. We are also exploring options with our members to coordinate an online experience to showcase industry announcements and news in June 2020. Updates will be shared on E3expo.com. We thank everyone who shared their views on reimagining E3 this year. We look forward to bringing you E3 2021 as a reimagined event that brings fans, media, and the industry together in a showcase that celebrates the global video game industry.”
Four companies have already responded – „This year we’ll celebrate the next generation of gaming with the Xbox community and all who love to play via an Xbox digital event. Details on timing and more in the coming weeks,” Phil Spencer, the head of Xbox, revealed. Ubisoft follows: „[we are] exploring other options for a digital experience that will allow us to share all the exciting news we have planned.” Then Devolver Digital revealed their plans: „The week of E3 has always been a big part of what we do and are genuinely bummed about the cancellation of the event itself. Lots to juggle but right now we plan on having a live stream Devolver Direct/press conference and possibly more.” And finally, Limited Run Games confirmed that they will still host their press conference via Twitch on June 8, at 3 PM PT/6 PM ET.
The BitSummit Organisation Committee has also announced that the BitSummit 8th Bit, which would have been held in Kyoto between May 9 and 10, has also been cancelled, as they don’t think the spread of the virus is slowing down, and they rather play it safe.
Capcom Pro Tour, the Japanese company’s fighting game eSport championship, whose schedule can be tracked here, has cancelled four events (Brussels Challenge, Norcal Regionals, April Annihilation, Taipei Major), and delayed two. South Korea’s The Fighter Spirit was pushed from March 28-29 to July 11-12, and the French MIXUP event was delayed by three months from April 18-19 to July 18-19. Finally, Overwatch League announced that the remaining March and April events (Boston Uprising and Paris Eternal, respectively) have been cancelled.
So let’s prepare for the online events – since we’ve been reporting from the comfort of our home, we won’t see much of a change. One publisher, whose plans we didn’t discuss yet, is planning something big – we’ll get back to it later this day.
Source: Gematsu, Gematsu, VG247, DualShockers
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