Gamescom 2021 will proceed as an online-only event in August, reversing previous plans to hold a hybrid physical gaming expo.
The decision to hold the biggest game-industry trade show was made based on responses from fans and potential exhibitors.
Gamescom 2021 Schedule of Events
Gamescom 2021 is slated to take place from Aug. 25 to Aug. 27, with Devcom starting the events on Aug. 23.
According to VentureBeat's report on May 5, tickets are planned to be available for purchase starting May.
"This decision was made after extensive discussions with partners and exhibitors," the press release reads. "Thus, the organizers take into account the current situation, in which too many companies are unable to participate in physical events this year due to the still difficult development."
The organizers added that as an all-digital event, Gamescom 2021 would be free of charge for all fans.
The Game Awards host Geoff Keighley will mark the beginning of the main event with the Opening Night Live stream on Aug. 25.
Meanwhile, the Gamescom Congress will once again be held on Thursday, Aug. 26, while Devcom would hold a content focus event on Aug. 23 and 24 and switch to a business focus event on the succeeding days.
Gamescom 2021 will also introduce a fresh new concept called Gamescom Epix, wherein fans can participate in a joint quest journey in social media throughout the event.
"What we want to do with this is transfer even more of the unique gamescom atmosphere to the digital world," said Felix Falk, Managing Director of The German Games Industry Association.
Gamescom Epix would bring interactive social media activities throughout the trade show event, where fans could collect points to win unique prizes.
In addition, IGN will once again produce a show called Awesome Indies, in celebration of the wonder-filled world of indie games.
Gamescom 2021 organizers promise that the upcoming event will have a redesigned Gamescom Now online hub to make it easier for fans to follow everything announced during the event.
The online hub will include trailers, live streams, and developer interviews.
The organizers initially planned a hybrid in-person event in hopes that the pandemic eases after the COVID-19 vaccination rollout across the globe.
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Gamescom's Quick History
Established in 2009, Gamescom is the highly-anticipated video games trade fair held annually at the Koelnmesse in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
The first online-only event held, Gamescom 2020, has garnered over 100 million video views, with more than 50 million unique visitors from 180 countries and 370 partners from 44 countries.
Keighley's Opening Night Live in 2020, where he presented world premieres and the latest news about the most hotly anticipated game titles, garnered more than 2 million live simultaneous viewers.
Meanwhile, more than 370,000 fans attended the Gamescom 2019 event, with the Opening Night Live show running for two hours.
It was the last physical event held, where fans get to see the best upcoming games from the biggest names in the gaming industry.
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This article is owned by Tech Times
Written by Leigh Mercer
