After MWC 2020 was canceled due to concerns over Covid-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus that first appeared in China late last year, several companies in China and around the world took precautions to avoid the risk of contact. with the virus.
Now, Covid-19 is taking a toll on the video game industry. This week, both Sony and Facebook withdrew from the two biggest gaming events of the year - the PAX East convention and the Game Developers Conference - citing Covid-19 and, as Sony said in a statement, the "fact" of the situation. related to the virus and global travel restrictions change daily, it is impossible to participate in fairs and conventions where there is a large circulation of people.
Facebook, which often brings news related to virtual reality and augmented reality efforts at GDC, said in a post on its official blog that the event "is always a highlight of our gaming event schedule, but the health of our employees and the gaming community at large comes before anything else."
A spokesperson also told CNBC that while Facebook will not be sending employees to PAX East this year, the company is "looking forward to participating in future PAX events." Sony, which normally shows PlayStation news at conventions, shared similar concerns.
In response, GDC released a statement saying, "We take the health and safety of our game development community very seriously. Following the strict quarantine laws established by the US government and guidance from the Department of Public Health, WHO and The CDC, which has seen us implement improved measures in place, we are confident that the Game Developers Conference will follow in the footsteps of other large and successful international events taking place at the Moscone Center."
Likewise, PAX Events Director Kyle Marsden-Kish said, "While event organizers were unhappy that Sony was not attending, we look forward to welcoming our friends at Sony to future PAX events and are focused on make PAX East 2020 an enjoyable and successful event for all attendees and exhibitors."
[UPDATE] Due to great concern about the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, in addition to Sony and Facebook canceling their presence at PAX East 2020 and Game Developers Conference, now PUBG Corps, CD Projekt Red, Square Enix, Capcom and That Game Company also canceled their respective participation in the gaming conferences.
We keep our eyes open, bringing information about technology, but just like large companies, bringing important data about Covid-19 and its consequences in the short, medium and long term.
