COMBO BREAKER 2020 UPDATE

The COMBO BREAKER team is gutted to announce that, following government guidance and our own judgment regarding COVID-19, COMBO BREAKER 2020 is cancelled. We recognize the significant impact this decision has on our attendees, partners, sponsors, staff, venue, and community, but believe it is currently the only move to make. May we collectively make it through this difficult time as passionately as when we all began.

The next wave of COMBO BREAKER promotions was all set to launch this week, including a kickoff announcement that COMBO BREAKER 2020 would once again be powered by ASTRO Gaming. COMBO BREAKER’s ongoing partnership with ASTRO played a big part of how we were able to secure the Schaumburg Convention Center as our venue this year. Our team deeply appreciates ASTRO’s commitment to helping us bring our attendees the best competitive experience possible. Please look forward to COMBO BREAKER 2021 powered by ASTRO next year.

CANCELLATION PLAN

Our team will be processing Competitor and Community Pass refunds for ALL registrants beginning April 20, 2020. Please note that refunds will not include Village of Schaumburg or Cook County taxing fees, as these fees are nonrefundable without individual claim letters delivered by each registrant to the local governments.

For anyone who secured a room at the Schaumburg Renaissance Marriott (our host hotel), your room has been automatically transferred to COMBO BREAKER 2021 so that you do not have to battle the room rush again. However, you also have the option to call the hotel directly and request your room reservation be cancelled. Your deposit will be returned in full should you choose cancellation. The Schaumburg Renaissance Marriott will be able to take your calls starting Friday, April 3, 2020.

As for travel plans, we have seen reports of many airlines providing cancellation options and/or rebooking opportunities for later dates worldwide. If you booked airfare, we urge you to look into your airlines’ specific offerings in relation to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. You may be able to recoup your ticket fee or move it to another fighting game event later this year.

GIFTS FOR REGISTRANTS

After refunds are processed, COMBO BREAKER is committing to mailing every CB2020 registrant the following items as appreciation gifts:

COMBO BREAKER 2020 Badge

No Coast, No Kings Lanyard

50-page Commemorative Magazine

COMBO BREAKER Pin

We expect these shipments to go out in early May and to be in your hands by Memorial Day Weekend, although international shipping and COVID-19-related factors may delay arrivals. These shipments will be combined with registrant apparel orders to save on shipping, which may also impact arrival dates.

SUPPORT OPPORTUNITIES

Since some COMBO BREAKER 2020 merchandise was already in production, a web store featuring items originally planned for this year’s line-up is currently online HERE. This smaller drop includes Denim Jackets, Zip-Up and Pullover Hoodies, a T-Shirt featuring commemorative art by @AbsolumT, and New Era Snapbacks and Beanies. Please note that because this merchandise is not yet in our hands, we are unable to provide product photography and must instead use artist illustrations until early May. A few remaining items from the 2019 merchandise line-up have been re-listed as well.

Also, in response to inquiries about how you can support COMBO BREAKER, we have added two items to the web store allowing you to directly support our ability to help future events meet their expectations:

50-page Commemorative Magazine featuring articles, illustrations, photos, and interviews

COMBO BREAKER Arcade Token and protective case is available for $2, but also allows you to name your own price as part of an “In Us We Trust” support opportunity

Proceeds from merchandise sales will help COMBO BREAKER recoup development costs and help ensure that we are able to deliver the 2021 event experience you expect (and deserve).

If you prefer, you can also support us by requesting that all or part of your COMBO BREAKER 2020 registration not be refunded. Please email info@combobreaker.org or DM @thehadou on Twitter if you are interested in this option.

COMBO BREAKER RETROSPECTIVE STREAM

Additionally, COMBO BREAKER will be working with videographer Hold Back to Block, streamers Team Spooky, and host Sajam to create a 3-day retrospective broadcast featuring marquee matches, special moments, and stories from past attendees covering COMBO BREAKER’s 5-year history. While not the new event broadcast we had hoped to bring you, we hope this will fill some of the void over what was supposed to have been COMBO BREAKER 2020 weekend. The COMBO BREAKER Retrospective, powered by ASTRO, will air May 22-24, 2020.

We would like to invite you all to take part in this retrospective by sending us video and photo submissions highlighting your favorite moments, matches, or memories from COMBO BREAKER events over the years (please film your video horizontally if using your phone). Send your submissions to info@combobreaker.org. We will try to include as many good stories as possible.

IN CLOSING

When we announced on January 14, 2020 that COMBO BREAKER 2020 would take place at the Schaumburg Convention Center in Schaumburg, Illinois, we were committed to doing whatever it took to make COMBO BREAKER happen this year. That initial announcement came four difficult weeks after the revelation that Pheasant Run Resort, COMBO BREAKER’s previous venue, was closing down, making our traditional trailer reveal date of December 20th impossible. The rapid-fire event development necessitated by this late venue change looked like it would be the most challenging obstacle COMBO BREAKER would face in bringing a 2020 event to life.

Unfortunately, the ongoing threat of COVID-19 has proven to be not just a significantly greater obstacle, but an unassailable impasse. Our entire event team is crestfallen. That said, we remain committed to bringing you more COMBO BREAKER events in the future.

All in together now, ‘til it breaks. No Coast, No Kings.

The Hadou

Event Director

Combo Breaker LLC