This year has seen a multitude of shows and exhibitions get cancelled due to the global coronavirus pandemic. Events like E3, gamescom, Slush, Evo, Nintendo Direct, and all of Microsoft"s events such as Build, Inspire and Ignite, have all fallen victim to the spread of the contagious virus globally. While most of the organizers have opted for digital events as replacements, some have decided to cancel the events entirely - which was the case with E3 2020.
Today the Tokyo Games Show, a yearly gaming exhibition held in Tokyo, Japan, joined the array of shows and events that have been cancelled so far. TGS is organized by the Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association (CESA) annually and attracts visitors from around the world. In the press release posted today, the CESA announced that TGS 2020 will be held online instead of the previously planned physical show.
"TOKYO GAME SHOW 2020（TGS2020）, scheduled to be held from September 24 (Thu.) to 27 (Sun.), 2020, is now planned to take place online. TGS2020, which is usually held at Makuhari Messe, is cancelled. TGS2020 is organized by the Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association (CESA, Chairman: Hideki Hayakawa) and co-organized by Nikkei Business Publications, Inc. (President & CEO: Naoto Yoshida) and Dentsu Inc. (Representative Director: Hiroshi Igarashi)
Due to the outbreak of novel coronavirus (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."
Additionally, the official press document also stated that further information about the upcoming online Tokyo Games Show will be revealed on the exhibition"s official website. More details about the digital event will be made available in "late May", which should be in a few weeks.