GamesIndustry.biz attended the eighth edition of Gamescom’s Opening Night Live on Tuesday evening, a fully digital showcase that filled the venue to capacity. Every seat was taken and a host of gaming personalities were on hand; among them Xbox’s senior leader Asha Sharma, who stood near the front and playfully formed an "X" with her arms as the cameras swept across the crowd.
The program kicked off with Geoff Keighley delivering a surprisingly personal opening address. He spoke about returning home after last year’s event to be with his ailing father, who passed away shortly thereafter. Keighley also touched on the broader challenges facing the industry, noting that "the video‑game sector is undeniably shifting and evolving," referencing the wave of layoffs and the surge in hardware costs driven by the AI‑chip shortage.
Despite those headwinds, he emphasized that developers worldwide continue to press forward, crafting fresh experiences for players. The first trailer of the night flashed the word "Hoyoverse" across the screen, prompting audible gasps from the audience – a clear sign of the global impact of titles such as Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail. The next showcase was for Nodusfall, a sleek cooperative action game that bears a strong resemblance to Capcom’s Monster Hunter series, tasking teams with hunting down dragon‑like beasts. The event underscored a growing influence from East Asian studios.
Several Chinese and Korean projects were highlighted, including Cinder City and Like or Die from NC, PUBG: Ded.Net from Krafton, Ananta and Sea of Remnants from NetEase, Zoopunk from Ti Games, and Tides of Annihilation from Chengdu‑based Eclipse Glow Games. Hoyoverse also revealed a new life‑simulation title, Petit Planet, expanding its already extensive portfolio. Naoki Hamaguchi took the stage to unveil Final Fantasy VII: Revelation, slated for a spring 2027 release. Notably, this installment will launch simultaneously on all platforms, a departure from the previous two entries, which were timed exclusives for PlayStation.
Jon Bloch and Pavel Ulmer of 4A Games appeared next to present the trailer for Metro 2039, scheduled for February 2027. Bloch described the development of such a bleak universe as a test of "passion, discipline, and a team accustomed to working without peace or regularity," while Ulmer admitted the process had been "pretty rough, trust me." The trailer opened with a bold declaration: "Proudly made in Ukraine." Undoubtedly the crowning moment of the evening was the announcement concerning The Witcher 3.
The legendary RPG will receive a comprehensive remaster featuring upgraded combat mechanics, ray‑traced lighting, and a host of visual improvements. CD Projekt Red revealed that the remastered edition will be offered as a free upgrade to anyone who owns the original game as of September 29.
In addition, the two original expansions will be handed out at no cost to base‑game owners, paving the way for the upcoming third expansion, Songs of the Past, slated for 2027. Level‑design lead Miles Tost explained that the studio has long wanted to craft "one more story" with Geralt, and a brief glimpse of the new expansion showed the witcher wielding a fresh chain weapon. Wizards of the Coast used the platform to promote the space‑adventure Exodus, arriving on April 7 2027, and delivered an extensive gameplay trailer for the Dungeons & Dragons title Warlock, which is set for release next year although a specific date remains unannounced. Other notable trailers included Behaviour Interactive’s Exterminauts (in partnership with Level Infinite), a lighter‑hearted take on Helldivers 2; Lego Skylines, a city‑building game published by Paradox Interactive; and Ontos from Frictional Games and Kepler, billed as a spiritual successor to Soma.
MBC Game Studio, backed by Saudi broadcaster MBC, introduced its debut project 1001 Threads of Mizan. A tongue‑in‑cheek spot for Showa American Story featured the protagonist wielding an American flag and an arm‑mounted drill, earning a modest applause and suggesting that 4Divinity’s strategy of embracing quirky AA titles may be resonating. RedOctane’s Stage Tour provoked genuine cheers, indicating that the revival of rhythm‑guitar games is eagerly awaited. Nostalgia also made an appearance.
Sega showed a first look at Crazy Taxi World Tour, while Saber Interactive confirmed Turok: Origins for a spring 2027 launch. Heroes of Might and Magic 3 received news of a remake, arriving 27 years after its original 1999 debut. Indie highlights shone throughout the lineup: Lofsöng from Unrelated Studio, Dust: Origins from Airship Syndicate, and Daniel Mullins’ eccentric Pony Island 2: Panda Circus, slated for April 27 2027.
The pre‑show segment delivered additional surprises. Team 17 announced Worms: Galactic Tactics, an isometric turn‑based strategy game arriving in 2027. RollerCoaster Tycoon Wonderworks will head to Early Access soon, preserving the pixel‑art aesthetic of the classic series.
Dlala Studios’ Murals secured legendary comedian Bob Mortimer for voice‑over work. Indie studio Duck Reaction unveiled a haunting teaser for Perceptum, due in 2027, featuring an elderly woman closing her eyes to commune with the beyond. Finally, Amplitude Studios, now independent from Sega since 2024, confirmed Humankind 2 for a 2027 release.
Studio head Romain de Waubert de Genlis previously told GamesIndustry.biz that the 2021 original remains Amplitude’s "most successful game ever both financially and in number of players."