Gamescom (stylized as gamescom) is a trade fair for video games held annually at the Koelnmesse in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Gamescom is the world's largest gaming event, with 370,000 visitors and 1,037 exhibitors from 56 countries attending the event in 2018.[3] The event is used by many video game developers to exhibit upcoming games and game-related hardware.[4] The “gamescom - Opening Night Live” (ONL) show takes place every year on the evening before the opening. The show presents the latest trailers and announcements from the international games industry and is hosted by Geoff Keighley.[5]
| Gamescom | |
|---|---|
 | |
 The North Entrance of Koelnmesse | |
| Status | Active |
| Genre | Video games Interactive entertainment |
| Venue | Koelnmesse |
| Location(s) | Cologne, Germany |
| Coordinates | 50°56′33″N 6°57′32″E / 50.94257°N 6.958976°E |
| Country | Germany Singapore (Gamescom Asia) Brazil (Gamescom Latam) |
| Inaugurated | 19 August 2009[1] |
| Most recent | 21 August 2024[1] |
| Next event | 20 August 2025 |
| Attendance |  320,000 (2023)[2] |
| Organized by | German Games Industry Association (2018- present) |
| Website | gamescom.global |
Alongside the public areas, there is also a closed area for professional visitors, such as publishers, journalists and developers.[6]
Shortly before Gamescom, the associated conference Devcom takes place at the same area and is specifically for the game development sector.[7]
History
editThe Federal Association of Interactive Entertainment Software had previously hosted the Games Convention in Leipzig from 2002 to 2008, which was briefly the largest games trade show in the world. However, Leipzig was becoming unsuitable for such a large event owing to limited transport links and hotel accommodation. The BIU and Koelnmesse announced a new event circuit in 2008, to be held in Cologne beginning in 2009. The Leipzig Trade Fair opposed the move and intended to continue Games Convention without the BIU, which led to a five month "standoff" between the two groups. As Leipzig did not allow the Cologne event to be called "Games Convention", the BIU instead adopted "GamesCom". The two events were due to take part on the same weekend, and were each competing to be seen as the "authorative" German trade fair for the industry. In the end, after a deal between Gamescom and GDC, Leipzig announced that Games Convention would be cancelled, and replaced by an online only event that focused on mobile and casual gaming.[8][9][10] Gamescom was first held in August of 2009, and was extremely successful,[11] while Games Convention Online was discontinued after 2010.[12]
The BIU continued to support and administer the event until 2018, when it merged with the industry body GAME. Their successor organisation the German Games Industry Association has continued in the same role.[13][14] Geoff Keighley began hosting Opening Night Live from 2019, a streamed event at the beginning of the show. Opening Night Live has served as a platform for many trailer launches and game announcements.[15]
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused the discontinuation of E3, Gamescom has been the largest event of its kind.[16] Gamescom Latam, first held in Brazil in 2024, is also the largest event in the Americas.[17]
Areas
edit| • entertainment area • business area • gamescom event area |
| • social area • indie area • retro area |
| • family & friends • gamescom campus • cosplay village |
| • outdoor area • merchandise area • creator co-working space |
Events
edit2009
edit.jpg)
Gamescom 2009 was held 19–23 August.[1] 245,000 people attended that year's visit.[1]
Exhibitors
editNotable press conferences
editWednesday, 18 August:
Thursday, 19 August:
Notable announcements
editSony Computer Entertainment Europe announced the PlayStation 3 Slim, a smaller and lighter model of the console and a release date of 1 September 2009. Firmware 3.0 for the PlayStation 3 was also announced, adding new features to the PlayStation Network. Sony announced that the European Video Store would launch in November 2009. Sony also announced that the PlayStation Portable would get smaller games (under 100mb) in the form of 'minis' and that comics would also be available to download in December 2009. A "free game" registration promotion was announced for the PSP Go.
Microsoft Game Studios announced Fable III, along with a release date of 2010. Also, Microsoft announced their intention to release Fable II on the Xbox Live Marketplace in five episodes, the first of which would be free to download.
Media coverage
editWhile most press conferences were not available for live streaming, Electronic Arts streamed its press conference on EA.com.[18] Sony Computer Entertainment Europe also showcased its press conference on its online community-based service PlayStation Home shortly afterwards.[19] Sony also made its press conference available for download on the PlayStation Store. Various gaming websites offered live-blogging of the respective press conferences.
2010
edit
Gamescom 2010 was held 18–22 August.[1] 254,000 people attended that year's visit.[1]
Exhibitors
editNotable announcements
editThe two main announcements this Gamescom came from Insomniac Games, who announced two sequels from two of their franchises: Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One, by revealing some gameplay from the game, and Resistance 3, via a live action teaser trailer. These games will be exclusive to the PlayStation 3. All 4 One has a set release date as late 2011, while Resistance 3 did not have a release date.
2011
edit.jpg)
Gamescom 2011 was held 17–21 August.[1] 275,000 people attended that year's visit.[1]
Exhibitors
editNotable events
edit- The first Dota 2 International championship took place. The tournament had the biggest prize pool of any e-sports tournament at the time.
2012
editGamescom 2012 was held 15–19 August.[1] 275,000 people attended that year's visit.[1]
Exhibitors
edit2013
editGamescom 2013 was held 21–25 August.[1] 340,000 people attended that year's visit.[1]
Exhibitors
editNotable events
edit- The World Championship Series 2013 Season 2 Global Finals, a StarCraft II tournament with a $150,000 prizepool, were held during the event.[21]
- Three League of Legends Tournaments were held during the event:
- International Wildcard Tournament
- Season 4 Spring Promotion Qualifier
- European LCS Playoffs[22]
2014
edit.jpg)
Gamescom 2014 was held 13–17 August.[1] 335,000 people attended that year's visit.[1]
Notable events
edit- The Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Major ESL One Cologne 2014 was held at Gamescom
Exhibitors
edit| 2014 exhibitors | ||
|---|---|---|
Asteroid Base
Blowfish
Chainsawesome Games
Deco Digital
Excamedia
|
Gateway Interactive
Grey Box
Grimm Bros
Ironward
Mastertonic
Ndemic Creations
Nevernaut Games
Other Ocean Interactive
Phoenix Online Studios
|
SeithCG
TinyBuild
Witchbeam
|
2015
editGamescom 2015 was held 5–9 August.[1] 345,000 people attended that year's visit.[1]
Exhibitors
edit| 2015 exhibitors | |
|---|---|
Studio Wildcard
Abbey Games
EuroVideo Medien
Grey Box
|
KING Art
Motiga
Teotl Studios
|
2016
editGamescom 2016 was held 17–21 August.[1] 345,000 people attended that year's visit.[1]
Exhibitors
edit2017
edit.jpg)
Gamescom 2017 was held 22–26 August.[1] 355,000 people attended that year's visit.[1]
Notable events
edit- German Chancellor Angela Merkel opened the event, which marked the first time in history that a Gamescom was opened by a sitting Chancellor.[33]
Exhibitors
edit| 2017 exhibitors | |
|---|---|
|
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
|
2018
editGamescom 2018 was held 21–25 August.[1] 370,000 people attended that year's visit.[1]
Notable events
edit- Nvidia announced the GeForce RTX 20 Series at the Palladium Cologne on 20 August 2018.[34]
Exhibitors
edit| 2018 exhibitors | |
|---|---|
Buka Entertainment
|
|
2019
edit.jpg)
Gamescom 2019 was held 20–24 August.[1] Geoff Keighley has announced that he will help launch a dedicated video game announcement show prior to Gamescom, called "Gamescom: Opening Night Live". Inspired by the response to The Game Awards presentation that includes several new game announcements, Keighley wanted to do the same for Gamescom. The event was streamed on 19 August at 8:00pm (CEST).[35]
Exhibitors
edit| 2019 exhibitors | |
|---|---|
2x2 Games
All In! Games
Dear Villagers
Fabraz
Forever Entertainment
Frecle
Gwen Frey
Intrepid Studios
Kasedo Games
Lionbite Games
|
Rockfish Games
Surgical Scalpels
Triband
V1 Interactive
|
2020
editGamescom 2020 was scheduled to be held from 25 to 29 August in Cologne.[1] However, Germany announced that following lifting of lockdowns in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, all public events through August 2020 were banned. Gamescom organizers announced they would move some portions of the planned show online.[36] Organizers confirmed plans for the online Opening Night Live to start on 27 August, with each following day through 30 August featuring a schedule of online developer interviews and events and a wrap-up show.[37]
Exhibitors
edit| 2020 exhibitors | |
|---|---|
| |
2021
editGamescom 2021 was held 25–27 August 2021.[1] The event was preceded by Opening Night Live with Geoff Keighley on 25 August.[38] Gamescom 2021 was a hybrid exhibition experience with online and live events.[39]
Exhibitors
edit| 2021 exhibitors | |
|---|---|
| |
2022
edit.jpg)
Gamescom 2022 was held 24–28 August 2022.[40] The event was both in-person and online.[41] 265,000 people attended that year's visit.
Exhibitors
edit| 2022 exhibitors[42] | |
|---|---|
Assemble Entertainment
Build a Rocket Boy
Embark Studios
Everstone Studios
Lucid Dreams Studio Neowiz
Something Wicked Games
| |
2023
editGamescom 2023 was held 23–27 August 2023.[43] 320,000 people attended that year's visit. The opening night received media attention after one attendee rushed on the stage and interrupting presenter of the show Geoff Keighley, saying that "Bill Clinton wants to play GTA VI".[44][45][46] The incident occurred 8 months after a similar incident at The Game Awards 2022, in which Keighley also hosted.[47] The same attendee also interrupted several live shows in Germany, asking about the game.[48][49]
Exhibitors
edit| 2023 exhibitors[50][51][52] | |
|---|---|
Dear Villagers
Frost Giant Games
Game Science HoYoverse Inflexion Games
Lost Native
Neowiz Games
Nuverse Panic Inc.
People Can Fly
Wired Productions
| |
2024
editGamescom 2024 was held 20–24 August 2024.[53] The event attracted more than 335,000 visitors and 1,400 exhibitors on that year.[54][55]
Game Developers Conference Europe
editFrom 2009 to 2016, the Game Developers Conference Europe (GDC Europe), a European spinoff of the Game Developers Conference, has been held in conjunction with the Gamescom. The Conference took place at the Cologne Congress Centre East.[56]
Offshoots
editAn offshoot of the trade fair has been established for the Asian region in 2021 under the name Gamescom Asia and takes place in Singapore.[57][58] In 2023, Koelnmesse closed an agreement with BIG Festival and Omelete Company for a new offshoot under the name Gamescom Latam, which takes place in Brazil.[59]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y "gamescom Cologne". Trade Fair Dates. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
- ^ <Jeffrey Rousseau> (28 July 2023). "320,000 attendees visited Gamescom 2023". GamesIndustryBiz. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
- ^ "Final Report Gamescom 2018". gamescom.global. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
- ^
- "gamescom2018: first exhibitors confirmed". Archived from the original on 16 September 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
- "Lost Planet 2 to make PS3 debut at GamesCom". Game Zine. 11 August 2009. Archived from the original on 15 August 2009. Retrieved 11 August 2009.
- "Sony confirms unveiling of new Heavy Rain character for Gamescom". Video Games Republic. 11 August 2009. Archived from the original on 31 January 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2009.
- Namco Bandai Partners (Press release) (7 August 2009). "Namco Bandai Partners' gamescom line-up". Retrieved 11 August 2009.
- ^ "gamescom Opening Night Live 2024". gamescom.global. gamescom. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
- ^ "For trade visitors". b2b.gamescom.global. Koelnmesse GmbH. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
- ^ Takahashi, Dean (18 June 2021). "Xsolla teams up with Devcom on year-long strategic partnership". Venture Beat. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
- ^ "GC Leipzig Canceled As Organizers Announce New Event". www.gamedeveloper.com.
- ^ "Leipziger Messe: Games Convention setzt auf Onlinespiele". Der Spiegel (in German). 29 January 2009.
- ^ ""GamesCom": Die Games Convention geht nach Köln". Der Spiegel (in German). 25 February 2008.
- ^ "gamescom 2009". GamesIndustry.biz. 24 August 2009.
- ^ "Gamescom 'wins' as Leipzig cancels August event". MCV. 14 February 2020.
- ^ "gamescom". game.
- ^ "Game-Verband: Branchenverbände BIU und GAME fusionieren". GamesWirtschaft.de (in German). 29 January 2018.
- ^ Billcliffe, James (19 August 2019). "Gamescom 2019: Watch the Xbox, Google Stadia and Opening Night Live streams here". VG247.
- ^ "Gamescom 2023: World's biggest games expo proves the value of physical events".
- ^ Batchelor, James (27 June 2024). "Gamescom Latam: "With no E3, we're the biggest games event in the Americas"". GamesIndustry.biz.
- ^ "EA GamesCom 2009 Press Conference Video Archive". Archived from the original on 14 September 2010.
- ^ Linger, Elliott (12 August 2009). "MotorStorm Swerves Into PlayStation Home; The Presentation Podium Opens Its Doors For gamescom". Playstation Blog. Sony Computer Entertainment. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
- ^ a b "K-game's spark in European market". Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the United States of America. 24 August 2012. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
- ^ Harris, Adrian (31 July 2013). "WCS Season 2 Finals Begin August 23". Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. Archived from the original on 8 August 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
- ^ Jayway, Riot (6 August 2013). "Gamescom and PAX schedule announcement". LoL Esports. Riot Games. Archived from the original on 19 August 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
- ^ "Check out Nintendo's Gamescom 2015 line-up". Archived from the original on 21 May 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
- ^ a b c Makuch, Eddie (18 July 2016). "Dark Souls, Tekken Publisher Will Announce New IP in August". GameSpot. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g Helm, Jordan (16 July 2016). "Focus Home Interactive Unveil Gamescom 2016 Line-Up". Hardcore Gamer. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
- ^ Barrett, Ben (18 August 2016). "Elite Dangerous patch 2.2 will introduce dual flying, new space stations and aliens in October". Retrieved 20 August 2016.
- ^ Barrett, Ben (17 August 2016). "Planet Coaster release date set for November 17, cheap pre-orders end August 25". Retrieved 20 August 2016.
- ^ Skrebels, Joe (17 August 2016). "Gamescom 2016: Konami Announces Metal Gear Survive". IGN. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
- ^ "Konami announces demo launch date and releases new trailer for PES 2017". gamereactor.com. 17 August 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g Greenberg, Aaron (13 July 2016). "Xbox at gamescom 2016". Microsoft Studios. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
- ^ a b c d "Green Man Gaming At Gamescom 2016 – Green Man Gaming Blog". www.greenmangaming.com. 3 August 2016. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
- ^ Ed Boon [@noobde] (16 August 2016). "A couple of fun reveals coming soon for Injustice 2" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Chancellor Merkel is opening gamescom for the first time". Gamescom. 22 June 2017. Archived from the original on 26 June 2017. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
- ^ "NVIDIA Announces the GeForce RTX 20 Series: RTX 2080 Ti & 2080 on Sept. 20th, RTX 2070 in October". Anandtech.
- ^ Nunneley, Stephany (16 April 2019). "Gamescom 2019 will kick off with a live show hosted by Geoff Keighley". VG247. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
- ^ Sinclair, Brendan (15 April 2020). "Gamescom hit by German ban on events". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
- ^ Handrahan, Matthew (18 May 2020). "Gamescom: "We can seize the opportunity to prove how digital events can work"". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
- ^ "gamescom: Opening Night Live". gamescom. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
- ^ "gamescom 2021 was an online event". gamescom. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
- ^ Takahashi, Dean (10 March 2022). "Gamescom will return as biggest in-person game expo in August". VentureBeat. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
- ^ Lada, Jenni (10 March 2022). "Gamescom 2022 Will Be Both In-Person and Online". Siliconera.
- ^ Dinsdale, Eyan (23 August 2022). "Everything Announced at Gamescom Opening Night Live". IGN. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
- ^ Makuch, Eddie (6 April 2023). "Gamescom Opening Night Live Set For August 22 With News And Reveals Expected". GameSpot. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
- ^ Watts, Steve (22 August 2023). "Gamescom Opening Night Live Interrupted By Stage Crasher". GameSpot. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
- ^ Plant, Logan (23 August 2023). "Someone Already Invaded the Stage at gamescom Opening Night Live". IGN. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
- ^ Del Rosario, Alexandra (23 August 2023). "Gamescom opening is crashed by attendee. Game Awards déjà vu, anyone?". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
- ^ "The Game Awards Stage Crasher Arrested After Invading Elden Ring's GOTY Speech". IGN. Ziff Davis. 8 December 2022. Archived from the original on 9 December 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
- ^ Saed, Sherif (30 August 2021). "Fan interrupts German live show to ask where GTA 6 is". VG247. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 30 August 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
- ^ Smith, Ed (21 August 2023). "GTA 6 fan storms live TV demanding to know about Vice City". PCGamesN. Network N. Archived from the original on 21 August 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
- ^ Bankhurst, Adam (22 August 2023). "gamescom Opening Night Live 2023: Everything Announced". IGN. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
- ^ McClure, Deven (28 August 2023). "The Talos Principle II Has "A Lot More" Characters, Says Developer". Screen Rant. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
- ^ Janssen, Roland (28 August 2023). "Drie redenen om The Talos Principle 2 te spelen" [Three reasons to play The Talos Principle 2]. Xgn.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 September 2023.
- ^ Saunders, Toby (20 August 2024). "Gamescom 2024 dates, schedule & how to get tickets". RadioTimes. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
- ^ Takahashi, Dean (25 August 2024). "Gamescom 2024 breaks records with 335,000 visitors". VentureBeat. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
- ^ "gamescom 2024: Record number of exhibitors, internationality and global reach" (Press release). 25 August 2024. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
- ^ "About Game Developers Conference Europe". GDC Europe. Cologne, Germany: UBM Tech. 15–16 August 2016. Archived from the original on 24 January 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
- ^ Ragavan, Surekha (29 May 2019). "World's biggest gaming festival coming to Singapore". campaignasia.com. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
- ^ Adam, Harith (26 October 2023). "Gamescom Asia 2023 Sets New Record as Singapore's Leading Gaming Event". sea.ign.com. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
- ^ Nogueira, Helena (28 November 2023). "BIG Festival se une a Gamescom Latam a partir de 2024". The Enemy (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 19 March 2024.
External links
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