In the wake of SXSW’s cancelation due to the coronavirus outbreak, Sega has instead decided to hold a smaller Sonic-themed panel in April.

As the worldwide coronavirus outbreak becomes more serious and widespread, more events are biting the bullet. Anywhere that people might gather in large groups should really be avoided, at least for the time being. Teams are playing matches in front of empty arenas and stadiums, and everyone who can is being urged to work from home.

The gaming industry is also taking a big hit as tournaments, events, and conventions are getting postponed or even canceled due to the virus. Niantic has canceled Pokémon GO events in Japan, South Korea, and Italy, while League of Legends’ is holding off an announcing anything about its mid-season invitational until the future is a little more clear.

In terms of canceled events, the biggest casualty so far might be SXSW Festival. It was revealed this week that the decision has been made to cancel this year’s festival amid coronavirus concerns. It will be the first time the event hasn’t happened for 34 years. Sega was scheduled to hold a Sonic panel during the event and promised to announce an interesting news item or two. The panel would have been called Gotta Go Fast: The Official Sonic the Hedgehog Panel.

Fear not, Sonic fans, as the panel will still take place. It will just be delayed and will happen in a different, yet to be announced way than planned. Sega revealed via Sonic’s Twitter account that although it is disappointed to see SXSW canceled, its panel will still take place at some point in April 2020.

As for what Sega and the Sonic team have to reveal to the world, that’s for fans to wildly speculate between now and April. Considering the continued success of Sonic the Hedgehog movie in theaters, we can see why Sega would want to announce any Sonic-themed news as quickly as possible. The release of the movie has already been delayed in Japan due to the coronavirus, so the last thing Sega will want is more delays affecting its business.

Source: Twitter