Video Game Expos and Covid
July 26, 2021This year hasn’t really seen any in-person gaming expos yet, but that’s set to change fairly soon. Looking over more than 20 events hitting in the remainder of the year, I found no less than seven events already announced to be returning to a full-blown in-person event, or some form of hybrid. That includes mammoth events like China’s ChinaJoy ( the largest gaming event in the world) down to smaller events like the New York-centric Play NYC and Atlanta-based Southen-Fried Gaming Expo.
Next year is most likely when we’ll see a return to video game expo normalcy, but what that means exactly remains to be seen. I’d like to think that two years or so of no physical events have taught event planners and conference-goers some important lessons.
Yes, in-person networking can be invaluable, but requiring in-person attendance creates an unnecessary barrier to a broad swath of fans and developers alike. What should come in 2022 is not a return of the pre-Covid expo, but the rise of hybrid events that take the best of those old-school, shoulder-to-shoulder expos and entirely virtual conferences to create something as welcoming as it is constructive.
People should have the option to attend in person, and there should be some additive benefit to that. But virtual attendance should also be available.
Much more importantly, conferences should be more open to the idea of blending in-person and virtual speakers during panels. This would have a massive impact on the diversity of the topics discussed and who discusses them — an issue that has long plagued many of the biggest gaming conventions.
Until then, we’re left with a mix of online and in-person events, some interesting experiments, and some tip-toes back to the way things used to be.
Below is a rundown of when the year’s in-person events will be happening, where they will take place, and what sort of safety protocols they plan to follow. Do keep in mind that all of these events have noted the possibility of a change guided by changes in local, state, and national health policies.
Freeplay Indie Games Festival
June 8 to June 13
Melbourne, Australia
This annual indie games festival bills itself as the world’s longest-running independent games festival. This year, the event is trying its hand at a hybrid event. The event will take place across six days in June online, but that will then be supplemented by a series of free and paid-in person events including the show’s Night Market Party, live music, some physical games, and more.
Unfortunately, there’s no word yet on exactly what that will include, nor on what sort of safety measures will be in place. I’ve reached out to the organizers with questions and will update this once they respond.
China Joy
July 30 to August 2
Shangnai, China
The largest gaming and digital entertainment exhibit in China, Asia, and perhaps the world, China Joy managed to dodge the need for going online-only during the pandemic. Last year, the show was held despite the impact of COVID-19 with the help of what show organizers call an “effective mechanism to carry out the onsite epidemic prevention and control.”
This year, the show looks like it will be following the same procedures. That includes having to provide proof of vaccination or a negative test, temperature checks, a mask requirement, increased cleaning, reduced capacity, and a contact tracking app.
Gamescom
August 25 to August 29
Cologne, Germany
UPDATE: Gamescom, on May 5, announced it would no longer host a hybrid event and instead go completely digital.
The decision, it seems, was driven by “extensive discussions with partners and exhibitors.” Taking into account the current situation, and the fact that too many companies are “unable to participate in physical events this year due to the still difficult development,” the expo is going digital again. Now it will be online only and free to all.
“Together with game – The German Games Industry Association, we have put all our energy into making gamescom 2021 in a hybrid format possible for fans and industry alike,” said Oliver Frese, chief operating officer at Koelnmesse. “However, even though the hybrid concept was very well received by the partners, we had to recognize that gamescom still comes too early for many companies in the industry due to the required planning reliability. One thing is absolutely clear: All those involved now need planning reliability. That’s why we’re going for a purely digital gamescom again this year and, with sufficient lead time, will be able to offer the gaming community an even stronger online event at the end of August 2021. gamescom 2020 and other trade fairs such as DMEXCO @home 2020 and h+h cologne @home 2021 are proof that we can do this. All partners can book their participation starting immediately.”
More details on the year’s events can be found here.
The original plans for Gamescom 2021 are below.
Gamescom is a wonderful gaming expo that is equal parts exhausting and thrilling, sweaty and delightful. This year the show promises to keep things safe as it delivers a hybrid in-person event. That’s one step closer to fully back to in-person from last year, which was an online-only event.
This year, the event will feature an entertainment area “especially designed for a reduced amount of on-site visitors, which focuses on the testing of new games live on-site including a digital queue management system a further developed Gamescom now as a central meeting point on the web for gaming fans from all over the globe.”
The safety protocols for the event include mask requirements, increasing cleaning, reduced capacity, and an app for tracking visitors. You can read the full breakdown of safety measures on the expo center’s B-Safe website.
Play NYC
August 7 to August 8
New York City, New York
The largest gaming event in New York State returns to the physical in 2021 with its fifth annual event at the Metropolitan Pavilion. The scaled convention that “unites game creators and fans” over a weekend that includes a live stream.
The event will require proof of vaccination or a test and have mask requirements, increased cleaning, and a reduced capacity.
Southern-Fried Gaming Expo
August 20 to August 22
Atlanta, Geogia
With more than 250 arcade and pinball machines, dozens of new systems, and a mix of vendors, panels, and speakers, the Souther-Friend Gaming Expo doesn’t just have a great name, it also is a legitimate draw for southern fans of gaming.
This year’s event is returning to in-person later this year at the Renaissance Waverly Hotel and Cobb Galleria Convention Center. I reached out to the organizers for details about what safety measures would be in place and was told, “Those kinds of details will be decided closer to the event as we work in conjunction with the CDC, Marriott, Cobb Galleria, and others.”
PAX West
September 3 to September 6
Seattle, Washington
Updated July 27.
PAX is getting back to in person this fall with the return of PAX West. Another Reed Pop joint, badges for the event will go on sale in early July. The event will once more take place at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle.
Prior to entry PAX West will require proof of a completed COVID-19 vaccination series or a negative COVID-19 PCR or antigen test, each to be verified with a valid, government issued ID.
“When PAX West 2021 badges were announced, the PAX Team made the decision to communicate what we could commit to at that time, rather than what we were working toward. While we let the community know the health and safety guidelines could evolve, we wanted to get it right and we feel confident that verification of fully vaccination or negative test, along with continued face-covering requirements for everyone, will create an environment that promotes the wellbeing of our PAX community.
“The PAX team is steadfast in our commitment to health and safety, including reduced capacity and mandatory face coverings to be worn at all times by attendees, exhibitors, staff, and Enforcers. We will continue to evaluate our policies, listen to feedback from the community, follow the guidance of public health officials, and do everything in our power to make PAX West as safe as possible. We will always do what we can to support the global gaming community and the cities PAX calls home.”
Tickets will run you $230 for the four days, or individual day passes for $60 a pop. Reed Pop also reminded us that Pax Online is still a go, with badges for the July 15 to July 18 event now available. Those badges cost $15 and include eligibility to compete in the digital Omegathon and a $10 merch coupon.
“It’s been almost two years since the last PAX West, and it’s been surreal to imagine its triumphant return,” said Jerry Holkins, co-founder of Penny Arcade and PAX. “I can’t think of a better excuse to leave the house than PAX West.”
New York Comic-Con
October 7 to October 10
New York City, New York
New York Comic-Con is back, and I’m sure the organizers over at Reed Pop couldn’t be happier. Hosted annually at the Javits Center, NYCC is host to a massive array of vendors, events, panels, and reveals related to all things gaming, comics, and general “geek” culture.
This year, NYCC will require masks, will up the cleaning between panels and in general, and will run at a reduced capacity. You can read up on the organizer’s approach to safety in their booklet entitled “Events in the New Normal.”
San Diego Comic-Con
November 26 to November 28
San Diego, California
The grandmother of all comic book conventions, the 2021 San Diego Comic-Con was technically canceled, with a return expected in the summer of 2022. But the organizers decided that they could still hold a little supplemental event in-person in November (Yes, that’s Thanksgiving Day weekend) called Comic-Con Special Edition.
We don’t know much of anything about the event, including health precautions. What the organizers do say is this: “It is our hope that by that point, conditions will permit in-person public gatherings of this kind. As details are still being finalized, badge cost, attendance capacity, and related information will be forthcoming.”
So far that’s it for 2021 in terms of in-person events. Of course, there are plenty of online events taking up the year as well. That includes the Brazil Independent Games Festival, E3, PAX Online, Games for Change, GDC, Game Devs of Color Expo, Summer Game Fest, and Tokyo Game Show.
