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 in sight, and a host of gaming personalities were on hand. Xbox chief Asha Sharma could be spotted near the front, striking an "X" with her arms as the cameras swept across the crowd.
Host Geoff Keighley began the program with an unusually personal address. He explained that after the previous year’s show he returned home to be with his ailing father, who passed away shortly thereafter. Keighley also touched on the broader challenges facing the sector, noting, "It’s no secret the video‑game industry is in a state of flux," referencing the wave of layoffs and the rising cost of hardware driven by a shortage of AI‑related components. He added that despite these headwinds, developers worldwide continue to press on, crafting fresh experiences for players.
The opening cinematic kicked off with the word "Hoyoverse" flashing across the screen, prompting audible excitement from the audience. This reaction underscored the global reach of titles such as Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail. The first game spotlighted was Nodusfall, a slick cooperative action title that bears a strong resemblance to Capcom’s Monster Hunter series, inviting teams to hunt down dragon‑like beasts.
The tone set by Nodusfall foreshadowed the heavy representation of Chinese and Korean studios throughout the event. Highlights from the region 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. In addition, Hoyoverse presented another entry, the life‑simulation game Petit Planet, further cementing its presence on the global stage. Naoki Hamaguchi took the stage to unveil Final Fantasy VII: Revelation, slated for a spring 2027 launch.
Notably, this installment will release on all major platforms simultaneously—a departure from the previous two entries, which were timed PlayStation exclusives. Jon Bloch and Pavel Ulmer of 4A Games also appeared, revealing the trailer for Metro 2039, scheduled for February 2027. Bloch described the development of such a bleak title as requiring "a lot of passion, discipline, and a team accustomed to working without peace or regularity," while Ulmer admitted the process was "pretty rough, trust me." The trailer opened with a proud declaration: "Proudly made in Ukraine." Undoubtedly the night’s biggest moment was the announcement concerning The Witcher 3. The crowd erupted when it was revealed that the beloved RPG will receive a comprehensive remaster featuring upgraded combat, ray‑traced lighting, and a host of quality‑of‑life improvements.
Even more exciting, the upgrade will be offered as a free update to all owners of the original game on September 29. In addition, the two original expansions will be handed out at no cost, paving the way for the forthcoming third expansion, Songs of the Past, due in 2027. Level‑design lead Miles Tost explained that CD Projekt Red has long wanted to "tell one more story" with Geralt, and a brief glimpse of the new expansion showed the protagonist wielding a fresh chain weapon. Wizards of the Coast used their slot to showcase the space‑faring adventure Exodus, slated for an April 7, 2027 release, and presented a lengthy gameplay trailer for the Dungeons & Dragons title Warlock, which is expected next year but has yet to receive a firm launch window.
Other notable reveals included Behaviour Interactive’s Exterminauts (co‑produced with Level Infinite), a lighter‑hearted take on Helldivers 2; Lego Skylines, a city‑building title published by Paradox Interactive; and Ontos from Frictional Games and Kepler, billed as a spiritual successor to Soma. MBC Game Studio introduced its debut project, 1001 Threads of Mizan, funded by the Saudi Arabian broadcaster MBC.
The quirky 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 leaning into off‑beat AA games may be resonating. Meanwhile, RedOctane’s Stage Tour provoked genuine cheers, indicating that the revival of rhythm‑action guitar games is a welcome development for many fans.
Nostalgia also made an appearance. Sega offered a first look at Crazy Taxi World Tour, while Saber Interactive confirmed Turok: Origins for a spring 2027 release.
Heroes of Might and Magic 3 is set for a remake, arriving 27 years after its original 1999 debut. Indie titles shone as well.
Unrelated Studio’s Lofsöng, Airship Syndicate’s Dust: Origins, and Daniel Mullins’ eccentric Pony Island 2: Panda Circus (arriving April 27, 2027) all received dedicated segments. The pre‑show segment delivered additional announcements. Team 17 revealed Worms: Galactic Tactics, an isometric turn‑based tactics game slated for 2027.
RollerCoaster Tycoon Wonderworks will soon enter Early Access, preserving the pixel‑art aesthetic of the classic. Dlala Studios’ Murals secured legendary comedian Bob Mortimer for voice‑over work, adding a unique flavor to the project. Indie studio Duck Reaction’s Perceptum, due in 2027, impressed with a haunting trailer featuring an elderly woman closing her eyes to commune with the beyond. Finally, Amplitude Studios announced Humankind 2 for 2027, noting that the studio became independent from Sega in 2024.
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."