PlayStation and Facebook have decided to skip the Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2020 following the coronavirus epidemic in China. The two firms highlight the health risks for their employees. The show dedicated to video game professionals will open its doors in San Francisco from March 16 to 20, 2020.
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“We have decided to cancel our participation in the Game Developers Conference” announced a spokesperson for the PlayStation division at Sony in a press release, relayed by our colleagues from Games Industry. “The situation with the virus and travel restrictions around the world is changing every day” explains the Japanese firm, which says “Disappointed to have to cancel her participation”.
A few hours earlier, Sony had already decided not to participate in PAX East 2020, an American trade show dedicated to the Boston video game. “The health and safety of our employees is our greatest concern” assured the Japanese company, which was to present a first demo of The Last of us II. “We think it’s the safest option” said Sony.
Facebook Gaming / Oculus, the video game subsidiary of the social network, has also decided to ignore the GDC 2020. Unlike Sony, the Californian firm is nevertheless committed to “Share the exciting announcements we had planned in videos and online FAQs”.
Also read: coronavirus could delay PS5 and Xbox Series X release date
Serial cancellations
Several major events in the world of technology have been shaken up by the coronavirus epidemic in China. Scheduled for early February in Taiwan, the new edition of Taipei Game Show has been postponed until next summer as a precaution. Same sound from the side of MWC 2020. The Barcelona mobile phone show was even canceled outright following the defection of many manufacturers.
Source: Games industry
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