Gamescom Leaders Discuss Opportunities and Challenges in the Gaming Industry

"Gamescom has experienced significant growth this year," notes Tim Endres, the event's director. "With over 1,500 exhibitors from 72 countries, it's more international than ever. The Cologne-based gaming event has long been the largest of its kind, attracting 335,000 visitors last year. While final visitor numbers for 2025 are still pending, Endres is optimistic that they may surpass last year's figure. "The numbers look promising," he says. It's not just about the physical attendees, though. Endres emphasizes the importance of Gamescom Opening Night Live and Gamescom Studio, which broadcasts highlights from the show worldwide in partnership with IGN. "Gamescom is now a hybrid event," he explains, "with a significant digital presence. The physical aspect of Gamescom is already substantial, occupying nearly the entire Koelnmesse exhibition center, equivalent to around 30 football fields. However, there is still great potential for expanding its digital reach. Felix Falk, managing director of the German Games Industry Association (Game) and co-organizer of Gamescom, reports "substantial growth" for Opening Night Live this year, with early figures indicating a 30-50% increase in concurrent viewers. When asked about the cost of participating in Opening Night Live, Falk reveals that publishers don't have to pay a fee. "The majority of the content is free, regardless of whether you're a AAA title or an indie game," he explains. "As long as your content is exceptional, Geoff will consider including it in the show, and it won't cost you a thing." The only requirement is that participants must have a presence at Gamescom. Endres adds that, for the first time, Gamescom Studio is being localized for the Chinese and Japanese markets, and he's eager to see how the content will be received in these regions. There are also satellite shows, such as Gamescom Latam in Brazil and Gamescom Asia in Thailand, which offer opportunities for growth. Falk notes that they've already seen 30% growth in Gamescom Latam. In addition to growth, Endres aims to improve the overall quality of the Gamescom experience, including the quality of partners and the experience for fans. "We want to meet their needs," he says. With the demise of E3, Gamescom's importance in the industry calendar has increased. Falk believes that Gamescom has always been the largest gaming festival in the world and that it's now even more crucial to create the best stage for the industry. Endres credits the COVID pandemic as a turning point for Gamescom, allowing the event to maintain momentum and invest in a hybrid model. This has given Gamescom a stronger position in the industry. While some questioned the need for physical events during the pandemic, Endres thinks the opposite is true. "I believe COVID was a booster for realizing the importance of physical events," he says. "Purely digital showcases can't replace the experience of a physical event like Gamescom, where people can interact with games, the community, and each other." Falk highlights a special segment in Opening Night Live that featured games focused on democracy and notes that it was an emotional moment for him. He believes that games can play a significant role in strengthening democracy and is pleased to see the industry becoming more political. "We're the most influential art form right now, and we have a responsibility to be political," he says. Falk also appreciates the support from the German government, which has announced increased public subsidies for the gaming industry. Despite a 6% drop in player spend in 2024, the German games market has reported 4% growth in the first half of 2025. Falk is optimistic about the future of Gamescom and the German gaming industry, citing the government's increased support and the industry's potential for growth.