Bethesda cancels QuakeCon 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic

While event cancellations in these dangerous times are no surprise, their impact is not necessarily lessened. With E3 2020 canceled, GDC 2020 delayed, and Gamescom 2020 looking at alternative solutions, the age of physical events is experiencing something of a decline. The risk of having big groups of people in one place is too much to take. QuakeCon 2020 is the latest such loss to the COVID-19 pandemic, as it has also been canceled.

Uncertain future

Bethesda had originally slated QuakeCon 2020 for August. However, the “logistical challenges and uncertainties” surrounding the pandemic have forced the organizers’ hands. While the virus may have subsided by August, Bethesda says it has made it impossible for them to complete the planning and preparation work required for the event.

“With all of the logistical challenges and uncertainties we currently face due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s QuakeCon,” Bethesda and id Software announced in a joint statement. “The health and safety of our employees, volunteers, vendors, sponsors, and players will always be our top priority, and in these times it felt wrong to be talking about a gathering when gathering is the last thing any of us should be doing right now.”

An update on QuakeCon 2020: pic.twitter.com/1FYUauI7PY

— QuakeCon (@QuakeCon) March 31, 2020

Showing off their latest and greatest games would no doubt have been a boon for the companies in such an uncertain time. However, Bethesda and id Software have chosen to think of the fans and the event’s staff first. With the state of the pandemic still unclear, the August date for QuakeCon 2020 simply would not have been possible.

High expectations

QuakeCon 2019 was a major event, celebrating the 25th birthday of DOOM. With DOOM Eternal releasing to plaudits, this year would have been an apt celebration as well. It would have also been the event’s own 25th birthday in 2020. No doubt this cancellation will disappoint many fans, then. Even so, it’s hard to argue that this decision is a bad one.