Sony Interactive Entertainment and Facebook cancel GDC 2020 presence due to coronavirus concerns

Both Sony Interactive Entertainment and Facebook have cancelled their presence at Game Developers Conference 2020 due to concerns surrounding the novel coronavirus COVID-19.

This is Sony Interactive Entertainment’s second event cancellation as a result of the virus, following yesterday’s news that it will no longer exhibit PAX East 2020.

In a statement to GamesInudstry.biz, a Sony Interactive Entertainment representative said, “We have made the difficult decision to cancel our participation in Game Developers Conference due to increasing concerns related to COVID-19 (also known as coronavirus). We felt this was the best option as the situation related to the virus and global travel restrictions are changing daily. We are disappointed to cancel our participation, but the health and safety of our global workforce is our highest concern. We look forward to participating in GDC in the future.”

Facebook said that it will still make announcements at GDC 2020 surrounding its Oculus business, but will now do so via digital formats with “video, online Q&As, and more.”

GDC 2020 organizers said that it is following government guidelines and protocols in regards to the virus by enhancing sanitation procedures, and that it is also working with the San Francisco Travel Association to ensure hotels enhance their hygiene protocols.

GDC 2020 will run from March 16 to 20 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, California.