As video game events across the world are canceled due to concerns regarding the novel coronavirus, one event is moving the opposite direction. Gamescom, the Cologne, Germany gaming convention scheduled for August 25 through 29 is moving ahead at full speed.
Gamescom convention officials confirmed today that "preparations for our upcoming events" are continuing. This includes opening up online ticket sales for Gamescom 2020 today.
The Gamescom team posted a new notice on the convention's website Wednesday acknowledging the ongoing conversation about the novel coronavirus. "For each individual event, we will evaluate the recommendations of the responsible authorities regarding major events and, as before, we will make our decisions after careful consideration." The notice notably does specifically note the coronavirus, saying that the "health" of attendees is paramount.
After acknowledging the coronavirus, the notice quickly moves on to say that no changes have been planned as of right now. There's no explanation provided for why Gamescom is choosing to go forward despite concerns, unfortunately. There's simply the insinuation that since no "recommendation" from "responsible authorities" has come through to cancel the event yet, Gamescom planning will continue until otherwise.
Gamescom does say that it will make some changes to its upcoming events. It will provide "sensible prophylactic measures" and will increase the availability of "disinfectants." Otherwise, highly frequented areas will be "cleaned with increased frequency" and on-site medical staff will be "prepared for possible suspicious cases." It doesn't sound like Gamescom will be canceling unless forced to, like certain areas of Washington is doing where events like the Emerald City Comic Con has been canceled.
Needless to say, Gamescom's increased efforts aren't likely to assuage worries about the novel coronavirus, which is spread through respiratory droplets between individuals in close proximity to each other. Disinfectant can certainly help, but there's only so much that can be done when in a crowd.
Gamescom's decision to carry on with ticket sales despite the growing concern with the coronavirus stands in stark contrast with other organizations' plans. Today the ESA announced that E3 2020 had been canceled over the vocal concerns of its partners. SXSW has been canceled. Both the NBA and the NCAA will be holding its basketball games without an audience in the near future. Yet Gamescom continues on.
Gamescom's decision may be in part due to the event's later date than E3 and other canceled events. It's difficult to predict whether the coronavirus will still be a global worry come August. It's difficult to assume the state of the world in April, for that matter. Allowing ticket sales at this point is understandable, so long as Gamescom evaluates the situation closer to August and gives attendees plenty of time to cancel any travel and accommodation plans if Gamescom does indeed get canceled later.