Major tabletop gaming event Gen Con finally confirmed that it would not be happening this year due to COVID-19. While another event has been cut, new ones have cropped up online. There will be a Special Olympics Xbox Virtual Gaming Event and New Game+ Expo to offer digital sports and presentations from Japanese and North American game companies. Summer Game Fest also revealed more information about their virtual showcase. In other gaming news, Pac-Man turned 40 years old, and TechRaptor reviewed shark RPG Maneater.
Highlights From This Week's Gaming News
Pac-Man Celebrates Turning 40 With New Pac-Man Game and More
Pac-Man Live Studio’s launch on Twitch will mark the 40th birthday of the gaming icon. The new game will be a multiplayer experience focused on seeing who can survive and devour the most pellets.
Summer Game Fest 2020 Developer Showcases Announced
They are showcases specifically for Day of the Devs and The Game Awards highlighting both indie and AAA projects. Developers confirmed to join include thatgamecompany (Journey) and Annapurna Interactive (Donut County), and submissions for more remain open at the moment. The events are scheduled for June 22 and July 20.
Microsoft Announces 2020 Special Olympics Xbox Virtual Gaming Event
Microsoft’s event will livestream on Twitch, Youtube, and Mixer at 12 p.m. PDT on May 30 and center on competitive racing in Forza Motorsport 7. Its award ceremony will be hosted in Minecraft. Microsoft previously held a video game tournament at the Special Olympics U.S.A. Games in 2018.
New Game+ Expo Announced for June 23rd; List of 14 Publishers Revealed
The event will be held on Twitch from 8–4 p.m. PDT on June 23. Confirmed developers and publishers at the event include Arc System Works America, Sega of America, and Spike Chunsoft Inc.
Gen Con 2020 Canceled Over COVID-19 Concerns
Attendees can request a refund or let their tickets roll forward and pay for next year's Gen Con. Hotel reservations through the event's housing block will also be refunded. In addition to that, event organizers have promised a digital equivalent, Gen Con Online.
Features and Reviews of the Week
Maneater succeeds at making players feel like they're playing a shark, but flaws in missions, boss fights, and the open world hold it back.
The Best & Worst Sisterly Villagers in Animal Crossing: New Horizons
TechRaptor's latest "best & worst" of island villagers covers the more sisterly neighbors like Cherry and Mira. Cranky villagers were also ranked, and TechRaptor shared tips on holding a turnip sale.
Digital Dragons Indie Celebration Had Rad Games. Here's Some of the Best
The online showcase included titles like Legends of Ethernal, a 2D action game; This is the Zodiac Speaking, a game about a reporter meeting the eponymous Zodiac Killer; and Rustler, which mixes early Grand Theft Auto with medieval fantasy.
Are you interested in Gen Con Online? Do you plan to check out other virtual events? Did you see other news in gaming this week that deserves attention? What did we miss from the last week in gaming? Leave your thoughts in the comments below. For more on COVID-19’s ongoing impact on gaming, check out TechRaptor’s evolving hub of COVID-19 updates.
