EGX, the UK’s largest gaming convention, is the latest event to be axed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. EGX 2020 was set to take place in September at the London ExCeL center, but will now take the form of “EGX Digital”, a nine-day online event that’s partnered with PAX Online, which was announced in June.
Unlike the usual event, most of EGX Digital will be free, although organizers say “some parts” of the online convention may require a ticket to be purchased. The exact details for this are not clear at this point in time.
“We love EGX, and we’re saddened to have had to cancel our flagship event. Given the current climate, we just wouldn’t have been able to provide our fans with the sort of show they’ve come to expect from us”, explained David Lilley, EGX event director.
It remains to be seen what games will be showcased at EGX Digital, but the statement does list “playable games” as a feature of the online convention . PAX Online is similarly quiet on this front, but has said that the event will include the usual panels and esports content. The stream is set to be live 24 hours a day, and run from September 12 – 20.
This announcement may come as a surprise to some as lockdown restrictions are being loosened in the UK, with pubs and cafes starting to re-open their doors after months of closure. However, the statement from EGX appears to suggest the physical event was scrapped over quality concerns.
Anyone who had tickets to either EGX 2020, or the formally cancelled EGX Rezzed (the indie game convention which was meant to be taking place this week) will receive refunds in the “next few weeks”, according to organizers.
With the departure of EGX 2020, along with other major events such as MCM London and Birmingham, this marks a quiet year for the UK convention scene. According to the website, EGX 2021 dates are coming soon.
