One of the three most significant games industry trade events, the Tokyo Game Show, put out a press release this morning indicating that the event has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. An excerpt is below:
Due to the outbreak of novelcoronavirus (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. We ask for your kind understanding and cooperation.
This marks the third trade show for the games industry that has canceled its physical presence and indicated it would be moving to a virtual showcase. The Entertainment Software Association made a similar decision earlier this year to cancel E3.
Gamescom in Europe, in the wake of a German ban on all major events until the end of August, has already made plans for a virtual showcase and partnered with Geoff Keighley’s Summer Game Fest program for opening night keynotes.
This move is surprising only because it was the last to make their announcement. Had the show proceeded as planned, it would have been held between September 24 and September 27.
Japan’s Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association indicated further updates would be forthcoming on the TGS website later this month.
