Coronavirus continues to have an impact on tech companies and the events they are willing to attend. Microsoft is the latest to react by deciding to withdraw from participating at the Game Developer Conference (GDC) 2020 in San Francisco.
GDC is a place for game developers to network and learn, and it's always well-attended by the biggest companies in the industry. The threat of coronavirus (COVID-19) is big enough that GDC, like many other conferences, is set to suffer. Microsoft has decided to make what it calls a "difficult decision" to withdraw from participating this year because, "the health and safety of players, developers, employees, and our partners around the world is our top priority."
Instead of GDC, Microsoft will be running a digital-only alternative from March 16-18 on Game Stack. It promises to include most of what Microsoft had planned for its visit to San Francisco, including developer sessions and experiences. The plan is to offer live streams and on-demand versions of both, and it sounds as though everyone will be able to watch.
Microsoft is planning to stream sessions about cloud and game development technology, including developer demos. There's also going to be industry panels discussing everything from the evolution of game development and inclusive game design, to the increasing role of online services and the future of game streaming. Top of everyone's list is surely going to be the discussion about next-gen hardware, though, seeing as the Xbox Series X launches later this year.
Finally, Microsoft is promising behind-the-scenes looks at the design and development of Minecraft and Gears of War, as well as talks by representatives from Double Fine, inXile, Compulsion, Rare, Obsidian, and Undead Labs, all of which are Xbox Game Studios.
Microsoft pulling out of GDC this year should come as little surprise following Sony and Facebook deciding to do the same last week.
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