Normally, around this time of year, I'll be getting really pumped to go to Essen Spiel to see all the hot new games. As we all know, this year is different. However, what strikes me is how few games are seeing release this October.According to BGG's Preview there are thusfar 500,000 upcoming titles. A fair number of games I suppose, but when you realise last year's list for Essen Spiel had 1,247,000 titles, it doesn't seem great.

Is the lack of a Spiel deadline causing publishers to take more time on their games? Is the pandemic causing delays in games that otherwise would've been ready? Or are publishers simply not as eager to send details to BGG's Eric W. Martin, since there won't be a (irl) convention anyway? Any thoughts?