The first ever Gamescom Asia event has been delayed due to health concerns.
Gamescom Asia was set to take place in Singapore this October but has been postponed by one year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The event would have been the first Gamescom to take place outside of the main Gamescom show in Germany, known for being the biggest video game convention worldwide.
Mathias Kuepper, Managing Director of Koelnmesse Singapore, organisers of Gamescom Asia, said they wanted to bring the event to life this year, but the global crisis forced them to rethink.
“The health and safety of our visitors, exhibitors and staff is paramount,” said Kuepper.
“Moreover, for an inaugural event, we felt it was important to give the regional gaming community and fans the full experience of what an international event of this scale would be like, and not anything less.”
Kuepper said Koelnmesse today confirmed the decision to postpone the event to next year, and Gamescom Asia’s physical conference will be replaced by “online engagements” instead.
The flagship convention Gamescom held in Cologne, Germany was also cancelled in April and will instead take place digitally from 27 August to 30 August this year.
Singapore tourism board Executive Director, Exhibitions and Conferences Andrew Phua said it was still an important conference in the upcoming calendar despite the delay.
“The inaugural event will be a highlight in Singapore’s events calendar and provide new business opportunities for local and regional companies,” said Phua.
Gamescom Asia will be held October 14 – 17 2021 in Singapore at the Suntec Convention and Exhibition Centre.
