Bethesda Cancels Quakecon 2020
Another gaming staple is being axed in the wake of the novel coronavirus. Every August since the 90’s has marked Bethesda’s QuakeCon. This year’s event had been scheduled for August 6-9 at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center in Texas. Bethesda released a letter this week officially cancelling the event. They did go on to say however that QuakeCon may still happen this year in some other form or fashion.
While the letter doesn’t suggest that quarantines will be extending into August, it does highlight another way in which COVID-19 will continue to affect us this year and beyond. Production. All across the world, workers are having to stay home. While some can work from home, others are unable to work as they normally would. Such is the issue with QuakeCon. Bethesda says quote, “While we don’t know what the state of the pandemic will be this August, we do know it will not be possible to complete the work and planning with partners, vendors, volunteers, and others that is required to make QuakeCon a success.”
The cancellation now sheds doubt on some other events that we’re scheduled to be held in August. EVO is set for the first week of August in Las Vegas, and the LCS should be wrapping up the summer split near the end of the month. Events like The International also typically fall in August, and that future is now also called into question. Many in the esports and gaming world were stunned when E3 was cancelled in June. However, since July is typically a slow month anyway, we figured that might be the extent of the damage. That clearly is no longer the case.
Looking for something to do while under quarantine? Check out the Shutdown Showdown! It’s a charity APEX Legends tournament benefiting No Kid Hungry. The tournaments are running on Tuesdays throughout April with proceeds going to charity. It’s just $10 to enter and you can enter solo or with your friends. Check it out here!
Bethesda E3 2018 – Photo by Christine Solis for CheckpointXP