Gamescom 2020 organizers have announced that the event “will definitely take place digitally,” after the German government banned all major events until the end of August.

We previously reported that the German government had banned major events until August 31st due to the coronavirus pandemic, putting doubt on whether Gamescom 2020 will run.

Now, Gamescom organizers have tweeted the following.

“Even though not all details are known at present, the nationwide ban on major events until the end of August will also affect the planning for #gamescom2020. Furthermore: gamescom 2020 will definitely take place digitally! We will provide further information shortly.”

Organizers had previously stated Gamescom 2020 was still being prepared, with organizers monitoring local regulations and the virus’ spread. Later, they stated it would still go ahead “at least in a digital format,” with digital events being “significantly expanded.”

Now it would seem that Gamescom would be a purely digital event.

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic (also known as COVID-19 officially, or Chinese Flu to others) has affected many worldwide, from businesses to public gatherings and events. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]. This includes the postponement of GDC, and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, along with the cancellation of E3 2020 (including digital events), and Comiket 98.

We also recently reported on an employee at Capcom’s Tokyo HQ contracted the virus, along with voice actor Rick May (Soldier in Team Fortress 2, Peppy Hare and Andross in Star Fox 64) passing away due to the virus. SiliconEra also reports a member of Capcom in Osaka also contracted the virus.

The Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering are mapping the virus’ spread [1, 2]. As of this time of writing, there have been over 2.076 million total confirmed cases worldwide, and over 1.345 million active cases. There have been over 137,000 deaths, however over 518,000 people have made a “total recovery.”

Germany has had over 134,753 cases (over 53,949 active cases), over 3,804 deaths, and over 77,000 recoveries.

Image: Twitter