Update: It's official: Gamescom has announced that as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year's event in Cologne will not take place.

"However, we are already working at full speed towards a digital Gamescom. After all, it is the largest gaming event in the world and this year should be no different," organizers said in a statement.

"We know you are already looking forward to how we will celebrate the best games and Gamescom with you and millions of gamers around the world at Gamescom at the end of August, even if it is only digital and not on-site. Because this much is certain: Gamescom is and will continue to be "The Heart of Gaming" this year.

More details about the digital event will be revealed in the coming weeks, and all tickets will be automatically refunded over the same period.

Original story here:

Gamescom is one of the largest video game trade shows in the world. It is also one of the only trade shows to have escaped a wave of cancellations due to the coronavirus epidemic: since the show does not take place until August, organizers announced in March that "preparations are continuing as planned" at least until it becomes unworkable.

According to German news agency dpa, the country has extended the ban on large public gatherings until August 31; Gamescom was scheduled to take place from August 25 to 29, thus exceeding previous restrictions. It now appears that it is no longer possible to hold the event. No specific audience numbers for these "large" public gatherings were mentioned, but Gamescom is huge: 370,000 people attended the 2018 event. Very large.

For now, Gamescom has not officially pulled the plug, but said on Twitter that the ban would "affect planning" for the show. However, it also confirmed that "Gamescom 2020 will definitely be digital," and that more details on that will be announced soon.

Hopefully this "definitely" is clearer than ESA's plan for an "online experience" to replace E3 this year: that plan was dropped when the E3 2021 dates were announced earlier this month, and ESA will instead "work with exhibitors to promote and introduce individual company facilitate and showcase their presentations."

The good news, according to the BBC, is that the ban on public gatherings has been extended as Germany prepares to ease overall regulations. Small stores are expected to reopen next week and students will begin returning to school in early May. German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned that the country's efforts to contain the epidemic had yielded "fragile interim successes," but that people must "stay focused and keep moving forward."

Games.com has previously stated that if the show is officially canceled, and now it almost certainly will be, all tickets purchased will be refunded.