With major global game events like E3 now officially canceled due to COVID-19 and no immediate plans to produce an online version, the video games industry has put together its very own virtual event — Summer Game Fest.
Starting from May, and running till August, the four-month event will feature multiple announcements from various video game developers, publishers, and console makers. Kicking it off on May 7 is Microsoft as it plans to reveal the first look for gameplay on the upcoming Xbox Series X.
Veteran video games journalist and long-time E3 host, Geoff Keighley, is one of the masterminds behind the event. He will also be hosting for most of the upcoming announcements for Summer Game Fest. In fact, his first virtual stage will take place on May 12 to reveal a new video game.
Keighley felt like there could be a chance to start something new from the comfort of home.
“I found that it didn’t have to be me on a shiny black floor stage hosting a show every day,” he said. For him, Summer Game Fest is not a single event as it operates more like a Google Calendar for industry digital showcases, game trailers, launches, in-game events, and free digital demos.
“The goal is to give the industry something to rally around. It is not a big press conference with 5,000 people in an audience hooting and hollering and cheering. So how do we create those new moments in this new world order? I think people have to just accept that it’s different. Maybe some things will be even better. And maybe you’ll get more content at home,” he added in an interview with Games Industry.
- The Last of Us Part II’s new trailer shows a complex and more emotional Ellie
- This year’s Fortnite World Cup has been canceled
Event partners include 2K, Activision, Bandai Namco, Bethesda, Blizzard Entertainment, Bungie, CD Projekt Red, Digital Extremes, Electronic Arts, Microsoft and Xbox, Private Division, Riot Games, Sony, Square Enix and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.
Keighley hopes more will join this industry-wide effort in the coming weeks.
More details about Summer Game Fest can be found on its main webportal.
READ MORE: Riot may be planning an LPL vs LCK online tournament to replace MSI
