With Covid-19 rampaging through the world, the organisers of games conventions like GDC and EGX Rezzed sensibly announced that they would be postponed to reduce the risks to their own staff, the exhibitors and any visitors that might have been attending.
As the government plans have solidified to “squash that sombrero” and more information about the spread and impact of this coronavirus has come out, but of these conventions have now been given new summer dates, and cool new seasonal name.
GDC Summer 2020 will take place between 4th and 6th August, at the usual US venue of the Moscone Convention Centre in San Francisco, California. This is a reduced event, being squished down from five days to three, with the first day still intended to feature expert-led talks in the traditional GDC style, followed by a freestyle two-day expo that will include ‘microtalks’ and ‘fireside chats’, ’round-table discussions’ and similar small scale things.
It seems as though the show organisers Informa Tech are keenly aware that people will still be hesitant to attend this summer, especially international travellers, and are planning appropriately. The reduced length of the show comes from some elements of the conference having already taken place, such as some virtual presentations (like the PlayStation 5 spec reveal) during its originally planned week – this week, in fact – and the GDC and IGF Awards.
EGX Rezzed was also delayed in the run up to its intended 26th-28th March dates, and organisers Gamer Network and ReedPOP have announced that it has now been arranged to run from 2nd-4th July at Tobacco Dock London. Tickets for the original dates will remain valid, but understandably, they’re offering refunds for those unable to make the new show, or can transfer their ticket to EGX 2021, the dates of which will be announced next week.
Anyone looking to refund or transfer tickets should contact the Customer Services team at [email protected].
As with GDC, some of the planned content for the show will be going digital during its original planned dates. Rezzed: Digital will have celebrations of games, talks and more next week.
Source: press releases
