Case in point: ZDNet reports Microsoft plans on hosting all its 2020 events as “digital-first” experiences, as confirmed by a spokesperson: Furthermore, ZDNet claims Microsoft is considering making events in the first half of 2021 digital-only as well – including Build 2021 – citing sources familiar with the matter. When asked, Microsoft said it will “continue to evaluate the event landscape.” That the company is considering canceling in-person events over a year in advance speaks to the massive disruption coronavirus has caused in the tech industry. The digital-first measures taken by companies like Microsoft are obviously necessary; before coronavirus even hit it was a running joke (or rather, recurring truth) within TNW that someone will get sick after a massive conference like CES. But even setting aside the current pandemic, the move speaks to waning interest in massive conferences. Nintendo’s decision to avoid a large presentation at E3 and move to digital announcements has largely been a success for the company. One is left to wonder how long it will take for such events to occur at a normal pace again, if we ever get to that point.
