The coronavirus pandemic is going to continue for many months to come, and Microsoft has decided it isn't going to take any chances and will switch to digital-only events until July 2021.

As The Verge reports, Microsoft sent out an email to all Most Valuable Professionals (MVP) explaining that from now until July 2021, all events will be treated as a digital-first experience. A snipper of the email, as shared by entrepreneur Ginny Caughey on Twitter, said:

"In light of the challenges presented by Covid-19, Microsoft has been closely monitoring the developing global situation and re-assessing the overall company-wide in-person event strategy. As a company, Microsoft has made the decision to transition all external and internal events to a digital-first experience through July 2021. This will include the future MVP & RD Summit which is currently scheduled for March 28-April 2, 2021. We will continue to evaluate the situation and look forward to connecting in person when the situation allows."

Events this will impact include the already canceled E3, as well as Microsoft Ignite, Computex 2020, CES 2021, and Build 2021. In terms of gaming, this will also impact the Tokyo Game Show and the launch of the Xbox Series X, which is still expected to arrive before the end of 2020. If I had to guess, I'd say the next Xbox is going to get a very well planned live streamed event as a launch point, assuming the console doesn't get delayed into 2021.

Going digital-only until July 2021 may seem a little drastic, but the threat of COVID-19 infections will continue until a vaccine exists, has been fully-tested, and deemed safe for use. Until that happens, why would a company such as Microsoft risk sending its employees around the world to attend events?

Further Reading

Digital Life Reviews