Nova Open has been canceled due to COVID-19, Gen Con and PAX being unplugged on the calendar.

Organizers behind another major tabletop gaming conference announced the cancellation of their 2021 event on Monday. The Nova Open, a staple in the short circuit circuit, will not take place this year. It’s September in Arlington, VA 1–5 was determined to take place. The organizers cited ongoing uncertainty regarding the COVID-19 epidemic.

“After months of careful planning, consideration of available data and communication with our partners and attendees,” the organization said in a newspaper, including hundreds of individuals who have contributed to our survey over the past few months, the Executive Board. Has made the difficult decision to cancel the Nova Open 2021. “

The organizers mentioned that its partners – who were involved in the sports workshop (Warhammer: Age of Sigmar, Warhammer 40,000), Korvus Belli (Infinity), And fantasy flight games (Star Wars: X-Wing Miniatures Game, Star Wars: Army) – were unable to commit resources in view of the uncertainty surrounding the epidemic. In addition, at its venue “it was unclear what major event restrictions are or will be.”

The cancellation has also put the event’s financial stability in question.

“The executive board is facing a significant challenge as we prepare our resources and imaginations to launch by March 1, 2022,” the organizers said in the email. To help keep the event going, several ideas are on the table, including merchandise sales.

The United States’ decision to cancel the largest warring convention on the east coast questioned the viability of the tabletop industry’s other remaining marquee events, some of which still have dates on their calendars.

Image: General Con

General Con is the longest-running and largest tabletop gaming conference in the US with a peak presence of over 70,000. Christina was named as the Lake Geneva Wargames Convention in Wisconsin in 1968, the event was originally hosted by Dungeons & Dragons co-producer Gary Gygax. It is now privately owned each year in Indianapolis, IN. In 2020, the COVID-19 epidemic forced it online.

General Conn announced temporary dates for the 208 conference in December, reflecting the August 5-8 event. However, it is noted that “a physical convention requires different factors to come together.” Until now, it has refused to sell badges or register guests for hotel rooms. Gen Con asked for comment on Tuesday, saying it would be a statement for the future of this year’s event soon.

Two additional high-profile tabletop events with temporary dates on the calendar are PAX Unplugged, currently set for December 10–12 in Philadelphia, and BGGCon, currently slated for November 17–21 in Dallas. None of the events offered tickets for sale. The report door has reached out to both organizations for updates.