New information from Gamescom 2021 organizers reveals a hybrid plan that optimistically aims to bring back the annual in-person event alongside 2020-style digital presentations. Gamescom is a yearly industry event that has grown immensely since the COVID-19 pandemic struck. In 2019, Gamescom saw record participation from exhibitors and visitors at its regular Cologne, Germany in-person event. In 2020, though, that number rocketed to more than 50 million unique viewers from 180 countries as Gamescom went digital due to the pandemic. Following a survey indicating fans’ interest in an in-person event, Gamescom is attempting to get the best of both worlds as it re-envisions the large-scale conference.
According to Gamescom, the 2021 convention will hold an in-person event alongside digital presentations, the latter of which will be headlined once again by the Geoff Keighley-hosted Opening Night Live. Organizers' planned model includes safeguards for visitors and exhibitors alike in an attempt to reduce COVID-19 spread. Speaking on the possible future of digital and in-person events for Gamescom, COO Oliver Frese put it simply by stating, “Hybrid will shape the future.”
Tickets for Gamescom will release in May 2021, but the number available will be reduced to safeguard against overcrowding in the convention space, and the conference will take place from August 25 - 29 both online and in Cologne. 2020's Opening Night Live was a transformative moment for the normally muted and developer-focused conference, having played home to many large reveals and events once reserved only for the likes of larger trade shows like E3, so it will be interesting to see how a hybrid physical and digital event will play out at Gamescom 2021.
Source: Gamescom