The global markets currently are immensely slammed by the coronavirus outbreak. We have seen the virus has caused cancellations of dozens of airlines worldwide, delay in production and supply of electronics and closure of stores across industries. Now, this deadly virus has caused cancellations of sports events around the world. This also raised questions about whether this year's Tokyo Olympics will be affected.
As the number of total death tolls continues exceeding across the globe, reports claim, game development is also being affected, with large swathes of the games industry relying on Chinese subsidiaries or work-for-hire studios for asset production.
As the 2020 Tokyo Olympic around the corner, Japanese officials are becoming increasingly concerned that the country's dream of hosting the 2020 Olympics could be dealt a fatal blow due to the spread of the new coronavirus, Covid-19. It jolts organizers, sponsors and media organizations who have spent billions of dollars in the runup to the event.
Moreover, here are some eSports and gaming events disrupted by Coronavirus.
Cancellation of Pokémon Championship
Last week, the Pokémon Company announced to postpone the Pokémon Europe International Championships, citing health officials' recommendations due to growing concerns about the rise in cases of the coronavirus. The championships were set for Berlin on April 17-19. The Pokémon Europe International Championships are the latest in an ever-growing list of esports and gaming events affected by COVID-19. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive tournament organizer FLASHPOINT also cancelled an April playoff event in Stockholm, Sweden on the same day, citing travel concerns.
Hearthstone Masters
The Hearthstone Masters Tour Los Angeles, which allocated US$250,000 in prize money that was scheduled to be played offline later this month, now will be an online competition due to worries over the coronavirus. The event, which was set for March 20-22 in Los Angeles, expected to draw participants from over 40 countries. Considering reports, the event already had been relocated from Indonesia over concerns of this deadly virus, which erupted in China and now has sickened more than 100,000 people globally.
World Athletics Indoor Championships
The rapid increase of coronavirus also forces the rescheduling of World Athletics Indoor Championships. The 18th World Athletics Indoor Championships were scheduled for March 13-15 March in Nanjing, China, now it has been postponed until March 2021.
Some sporting events have also been rescheduled due to coronavirus. The games including Hockey Pro League matches between China and Belgium on Feb. 8-9 and Australia on March 14-15 postponed; India women's tour of China from March 14-25 cancelled; Ireland women's tour of Malaysia in March-April cancelled.
Furthermore, Asian Championships in Chongqing, China, which were scheduled for April 25-May 3 to be relocated; World Cup in Wujiang, China from April 18-19 cancelled; World Cup in Chongqing, China on April 22 cancelled; and Hong Kong showjumping leg of Longines Masters Series from Feb. 14-16 cancelled.