Damn you Covid-19, damn you to hell!
Normally we would give our own take on the news, but the official press release says it all really. On a personal level, I’m gutted that EGX won’t be going ahead, as last years event was excellent, and with the new consoles set for release soon after there was sure to be some exciting news and possibly next-gen hands-on opportunities.
Thankfully, the nine-day digital expo they have arranged to replace it, in collaboration with PAX (hosts of one of the biggest gaming events in the world), looks set to be a phenomenal way to replace it. Read on for the full announcement.
EGX, the UK’s biggest gaming event scheduled to take place at the ExCeL, London from 17th – 20th September 2020, has been cancelled due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. To continue to provide fans with their video game fix, ReedPop is introducing its first-ever online event to take place across 3 continents, bringing a global gaming audience together digitally this September.
EGX will be joining forces with PAX Online to bring fans the around the clock, 24-hour online content that they love. From the 12th – 20th September 2020, EGX Digital, sponsored by Virgin Media, will be the online show that celebrates the very best in gaming from the comfort of your own home. Attendees can expect many of their favourite features from the show, including landmark sessions with developers, panels, playable games; Let’s Play content with some of the biggest names in gaming; competitive gaming; hundreds of indie titles, Meets and Greets and much more. Free to everyone, EGX Digital will offer an unmissable 9–day experience to make new friends and discover the latest from the global gaming community.
While the announcement of EGX Digital is exciting, the cancellation of EGX 2020 was not a decision that had been taken lightly, as David Lilley, EGX Event Director, explained: “We love EGX, and we’re saddened to have had to cancel our flagship event. Given the current climate, we just wouldn’t have been able to provide our fans with the sort of show they’ve come to expect from us.”
The introduction of the digital event will give fans everything they love about the show from the safety of their homes, David continued: “We’re hugely excited to introduce EGX Digital, sponsored by Virgin Media, where we’ll be partnering with PAX to bring you an epic virtual gaming experience. Working with PAX gives us the huge advantage of a global event, running around the clock and featuring brilliant new content and contributions from ReedPop editorial brands including Eurogamer, Dicebreaker, VG247, gamesindustry.biz, and Rock Paper Shotgun. Our unique powerhouse of events and digital expertise will make EGX Digital an awesome online event for everyone involved.”
Cilesta Van Doorn, Executive Director of Brand & Marketing at Virgin Media, said: “We are really excited about working to deliver an incredible digital event accessible to even more people. We’ve always given gamers an incredible experience at EGX through exclusive first play opportunities, gaming giveaways and the chance to experience our ultrafast broadband speeds. Now we are really looking forward to celebrating and supporting gamers online at EGX Digital.”
More details for EGX Digital will be announced over the coming weeks, please visit the official EGX website and social media channels for updates.
