EA suspends all live esports events to curb coronavirus spread

EA is halting all live esports events amidst growing concerns around the spread of novel COVID-19.

The suspension applies to any event that uses EA games, whether EA-operated or third party. Only online activities, where “participants and staff are remote and separated,” will proceed as planned. Meaning Apex Legends Global Series, EA Sports Fifa 20 Global Series, FIFA Online 4 Live Events, and Madden NFL 20 Championship Series events are being shuttered until further notice.

EA says the move is to guard “competitors, our employees, our partner’s employees, and our communities,” also as “to limit the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.”

“As we still monitor things round the coronavirus and receive updated guidance from health officials round the world, we’ll use this point to work out the next steps for moving forward with all of Competitive Gaming live events and online broadcasts,” the announcement reads.

The news comes amidst a string of high-profile cancellations, postponements, and changes associated with the alarming spread of the coronavirus. Notably, E3 2020 was canceled Wednesday, Pokemon Go implemented changes to encourage social-distancing, and Disney postponed seven live-action productions.

On a more positive note, Nvidia is allowing PC gamers to form a real difference by using their hardware’s internal grunt to access the Folding@home application, which will enable you to donate unused computing power to assist with research into the coronavirus.