One of the largest gaming events in Japan joins the already giant list of canceled events. Tokyo Game Show 2020 (TGS2020) has been canceled and will instead be held online. The Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association (CESA) announced the cancellation on the expo’s website, citing concerns over the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
“Due to the outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) on a global scale and the situation remains unpredictable in Japan as well, the organizer and the co-organizers have reached this decision after a long consideration to place the utmost priority on the health and safety of visitors, exhibitors and stakeholders,” the CESA stated in a press release. “We ask for your kind understanding and cooperation.”
Tokyo Game Show 2020 already had big plans
The four-day event was scheduled for Sept. 24 – 27 at the Makuhari Messe convention center. While information about what a digital event will look like for TGS2020 has yet to be revealed, the game show had already scheduled plenty for the event. With a theme of “The Future Touches Gaming First,” the expo was going to focus on how new technology will change the future of gaming.
This year’s Tokyo Game Show was scheduled to host several championships at “the giant ‘e-Sports X (Cross)’ stage.” This stage was to include upgraded online streaming services and a “unique way to enjoy e-Sports for visitors.”
TGS2020 is celebrating its 30th anniversary since the expo began in 1996. Since then, TGS has seen year-over-year growth in both visitors and exhibitors. Last year’s expo had more than 262,000 visitors.
Tokyo Game Show is the latest organization to move to a digital event. Earlier this week EA announced plans to host its EA Play Live event digitally June 11. E3, the largest gaming event in North America, also canceled its scheduled event but decided against holding a digital show.
More information on what to expect from this year’s digital TGS2020 is expected to come later before the end of May.
