Gamescom Like in the Old Days; Fair Will be Open to Public
gamescom is back to its regular pre-pandemic form. This August, gaming fans will again have the chance to attend the event live in addition to online.
One of the world's biggest trade shows for developers and gamers will be held once again in Cologne, Germany after two years. gamescom 2022, scheduled from August 24 to 28, will take two forms - online and physical, which the organizers consider the best solution.
In 2020 and 2021, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the event was only held as a stream, available online for free to all interested. According to organizers, the situation has improved enough that a live meeting will not pose a threat to the attendees.
Upcoming changes
However, not everything is expected to return to the way it was two years ago. In 2019, the number of tickets sold reached a record 370,000. Felix Falk, co-organizer of gamescom, claims that this year's edition will still be the biggest event in the gaming world, but he has no plans to break his record. The ticket pool will be smaller.
Despite the decision to run the fair in the old format, organizers do not pretend that the pandemic is over. To enter the event area, attendee will be required to show a current vaccination card, a negative COVID-19 test result or a document showing recovery status.
In addition, gamescom 2022 is betting on ecology. The new initiative will ensure that such a huge undertaking will not have a harmful impact on the environment. The organizers assure that they will reduce carbon dioxide emissions thanks to the gamescom goes green program, including free tickets for public transport and renovation of the exhibition hall. They also encourage to financially support the gamescom forest campaign, which will allow for the restoration of one of the forests in Germany.
The trade show is still more than five months away, and the pandemic situation can still change rapidly. For now, however, plans are clear: a hybrid format for the event, adherence to COVID-19 restrictions, and going green. Are you planning to attend the event in its new edition?
