We are still in the early stages of gauging how exactly the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic will affect the worldwide economy and operations, but more specifically the gaming and entertainment industries. So far, we have seen multiple highly anticipated titles delayed, numerous conventions canceled, and developers struggling to commit to their promised major updates' release dates. The most recent news come in the tabletop world, with the parent company of Alliance Game Distributors and Diamond Comic Distributors, Geppi Family Enterprises, furloughing a number of their non-business crucial employees to reduce their expenses.
The announcement comes after Alliance Games halted all their business and shipping operations during March, reduced executive salaries by 50%, and had to re-negotiate terms with vendors to cut down their expenses as much as they can in this uncertain time. However, Geppi Family Enterprises will make sure the furloughed employees retain their health benefits with the premium cost they are already subscribed to. The company promises to return furloughed members to their positions once the pandemic is over, but this is definitely a promise up in the air as no one knows will the COVID-19 pandemic will certainly end and how the situation will look like then.
The company released an official statement in the wake of its announcement, uncertain of what is to come but confident in its ability to adapt to the current circumstances and what lies beyond.
As a company and an industry we will navigate what lies ahead and we are committed to emerging and thriving on the other side of this crisis. We look forward to the day when we are able to be together again and resume the weekly distribution of new product.
How long do you think the ongoing pandemic will last? Will we see more economic reprecussions in the tabletop and gaming industry as time passes if COVID-19 continues obliging certain countries and cities to complete lockdown? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section down below.
