GamesIndustry.biz reported live from the Gamescom Opening Night Live event on Tuesday, marking the eighth edition of the digital showcase. The venue was completely filled, with no empty seats visible, and a host of gaming personalities were in the audience. Among them, Xbox’s senior leader Asha Sharma was spotted near the front, striking an "X" with her arms as the cameras swept across the crowd.
The evening began with Geoff Keighley delivering a surprisingly personal opening address. He shared that after last year’s event he rushed home to be with his ailing father, who passed away shortly thereafter. Keighley also took a moment to acknowledge the broader challenges facing the industry, noting that "it’s no secret the video‑game sector is shifting and evolving," and pointing to the wave of layoffs and the rising cost of hardware driven by an AI‑chip shortage. Despite these headwinds, he emphasized that developers worldwide continue to forge ahead, creating fresh experiences for players.
The first trailer set the tone by flashing the word "Hoyoverse," prompting audible gasps from the audience. This reaction underscored the global reach of Hoyoverse’s flagship titles such as Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail. The featured game was Nodusfall, a sleek cooperative action title that bears a strong resemblance to Capcom’s Monster Hunter series, tasking teams with hunting down dragon‑like beasts.
A clear pattern emerged throughout the show: a robust presence from Chinese and Korean studios. Highlights included 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. Additionally, Hoyoverse unveiled another original project, a life‑simulation experience called Petit Planet. Naoki Hamaguchi took the stage to introduce Final Fantasy VII: Revelation, slated for a spring 2027 release.
Notably, this entry will launch on all platforms simultaneously, a departure from the previous two installments which were timed PlayStation exclusives. The event also featured on‑stage appearances by Jon Bloch and Pavel Ulmer of 4A Games, who presented the trailer for Metro 2039, expected in February 2027. Bloch described the development of such a dark title as requiring "a lot of passion, discipline, and a team accustomed to working without peace or regularity," while Ulmer added that the process had been "pretty rough, trust me." The trailer opened with the bold statement "Proudly made in Ukraine," underscoring the studio’s national pride.
Undoubtedly, the night’s biggest sensation was The Witcher 3. The crowd erupted when it was announced that the classic RPG will receive a comprehensive remaster, featuring upgraded combat mechanics, ray‑tracing support, and a host of visual enhancements. Even more exciting, 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 provided at no cost, paving the way for the upcoming third expansion, Songs of the Past, scheduled 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 showcased Geralt wielding a fresh chain weapon. Wizards of the Coast used the platform to promote their upcoming space‑adventure Exodus, due on April 7 2027, and delivered a lengthy gameplay trailer for the Dungeons & Dragons title Warlock, slated for release next year without a firm launch window. Other notable trailers included Behaviour Interactive’s Exterminauts, co‑produced with Level Infinite, which appears to be a lighter‑hearted take on the Helldivers 2 formula; 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 unveiled its debut project, 1001 Threads of Mizan, funded by the Saudi Arabian broadcaster MBC. A deliberately over‑the‑top trailer for Showa American Story, featuring a protagonist who attacks enemies with an American flag and an arm‑mounted drill, earned a modest round of applause, suggesting that 4Divinity’s strategy of embracing quirky, AA‑style titles may be resonating. Meanwhile, RedOctane’s Stage Tour provoked genuine cheers, indicating that the return of rhythm‑action guitar games is eagerly awaited by fans.
Nostalgia also featured prominently. Sega offered 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 full remake, arriving 27 years after its original 1999 debut.
Indie highlights shone as well. Unrelated Studio’s Lofsöng, Airship Syndicate’s Dust: Origins, and Daniel Mullins’ eccentric Pony Island 2: Panda Circus—scheduled for April 27 2027—each received dedicated segments.
The pre‑show portion delivered additional announcements. Team 17 revealed Worms: Galactic Tactics, an isometric turn‑based strategy game slated for 2027.
RollerCoaster Tycoon: Wonderworks is heading to Early Access soon, promising to retain the beloved pixel‑art aesthetic of its predecessor. Dlala Studios’ Murals secured legendary comedian Bob Mortimer for voice‑over work, adding a unique flair. Indie studio Duck Reaction’s haunting trailer for Perceptum, due in 2027, featured an elderly woman closing her eyes to commune with the beyond, leaving a lingering chill. Finally, Amplitude Studios announced Humankind 2 for 2027, noting that the studio became independent from Sega in 2024.
Studio head Romain de Waubert de Genlis had previously told GamesIndustry.biz that the 2021 original was Amplitude’s "most successful game ever both financially and in number of players."