Microsoft clarifies report all its events will be digital until July 2021 Eurogamer.net If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy. Microsoft clarifies report all its events will be digital until July 2021 Gamescom 2020 attendance still possible, if event goes ahead. News by Tom Phillips Deputy Editor Updated on 7 Apr 2020 16 comments Microsoft has clarified a statement which suggested all of its events - "external and internal" - would transition to a "digital-first experience" until July 2021. The decision suggested Microsoft was quietly pulling back from physical activities at events this summer - including its usual big showing at Gamescom (still, at present, set to take place in late August, but which looks increasingly likely to go digital-only anyway). It also suggested Microsoft would not hold any kind of physical launch event for Xbox Series X, due this Christmas - a date Microsoft has recently recommitted to, with some caveats. And looking to 2021, the statement even cast doubt on Microsoft attending next year's E3 - whose dates have already been announced for mid-June 2021. But the statement did not come directly from Microsoft itself. Rather, it emerged via a Twitter user who posted what appeared to be guidance on attending Microsoft's March 2021 MVP Summit, a now-cancelled tech event held annually at the company's headquarters in Redmond, Washington. And, crucially, it had several caveats - such as that the company would still "continue to evaluate the situation" to connect "in person when the situation allows". It's official: All Microsoft conferences will be digital-only through July 2021. pic.twitter.com/wTBb7Z6pQB- Ginny Caughey (@gcaughey) April 6, 2020 To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Manage cookie settings "In light of the challenges presented by Covid-19, we are adjusting our event calendar and strategy," a Microsoft spokesperson told Eurogamer this afternoon. "For the remainder of 2020 we are embracing the opportunity to experiment with new platforms to provide our partners, customers and developers the highest quality, digital-first experiences." Eurogamer understands Microsoft's guidelines relate specifically to the events it organises - and the company's attendance at trade shows will be made on a case-by-case basis. So, for example, should Gamescom 2020 go ahead and should Microsoft deem it appropriate to attend, it could still do so. But this does seem to rule out a big physical launch bash for Xbox Series X - and the return of the company's traditional fan event, last year named X019, in its usual format. Become a Eurogamer subscriber and get your first month for £1 Get your first month for £1 (normally £3.99) when you buy a Standard Eurogamer subscription. Enjoy ad-free browsing, merch discounts, our monthly letter from the editor, and show your support with a supporter-exclusive comment flair! Support us View supporter archive More News Splatoon 3 Amiibos will be out next month Ink-coming! 3 Fans think Phil Spencer's shelf is teasing the Xbox Game Pass streaming box UPDATE: Xbox confirms old Keystone prototype. 59 Modder dives into Demon's Souls files following PS5 jailbreak, discovers fabled Ring of the Chieftain Who knows what's nexus? 4 Google announces cloud gaming Chromebooks less than a fortnight after Stadia shutdown GeForce Now preinstalled. 11 Latest Articles Preview Football Manager's new Console edition is the best you'll get without a PC Getting Touch-right. Splatoon 3 Amiibos will be out next month Ink-coming! 3 Fans think Phil Spencer's shelf is teasing the Xbox Game Pass streaming box UPDATE: Xbox confirms old Keystone prototype. 59 Modder dives into Demon's Souls files following PS5 jailbreak, discovers fabled Ring of the Chieftain Who knows what's nexus? 4 Supporters Only Premium only Off Topic: Take a minute to appreciate Cookin' with Coolio's incredible scallops recipe. What a great book. Premium only Off Topic: Reading City of Glass in comic form "Where exactly am I going?" Premium only Off Topic: Il Buco is a transporting film about a really big hole Underlands. Off-Topic Netflix handled Sandman brilliantly It was Dreamy. 9 Buy things with globes on them And other lovely Eurogamer merch in our official store! Explore our store