GamesIndustry.biz attended the eighth edition of Gamescom’s Opening Night Live on Tuesday evening, a digital showcase that filled the venue to capacity. Every seat was taken, and a host of gaming personalities were on hand – from Xbox’s Asha Sharma, who greeted the camera with a playful “X” formed by her arms, to other notable figures in the industry.
The evening began with Geoff Keighley delivering a surprisingly personal opening address. He recounted how, after last year’s event, he returned home to care for his ailing father, who passed away shortly thereafter.
Keighley then turned his attention to the broader state of the industry, acknowledging the turbulence caused by massive layoffs and the rising cost of hardware driven by a shortage of AI‑related components. "Despite these challenges, developers worldwide continue to press forward, crafting new experiences," he affirmed.
The first trailer set the tone with a bold flash of the Hoyoverse logo, prompting audible excitement from the audience. This reaction underscored the global reach of Hoyoverse’s flagship titles such as Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail. The next showcase was Nodusfall, a sleek cooperative action game that bears a clear resemblance to Capcom’s Monster Hunter series, inviting players to band together and hunt dragon‑like beasts. A noticeable trend throughout the show was the prominence of Chinese and Korean studios.
Highlights included NC’s Cinder City and Like or Die, Krafton’s PUBG: Ded.Net, Netease’s Ananta and Sea of Remnants, Ti Games’ Zoopunk, and Eclipse Glow Games from Chengdu presenting Tides of Annihilation. Hoyoverse also revealed a new life‑simulation title, Petit Planet, adding to its ever‑expanding portfolio.
Naoki Hamaguchi took the stage to unveil Final Fantasy VII: Revelation, slated for a spring 2027 release. Unlike the previous two entries in the series, this installment will launch simultaneously on all major platforms, breaking away from the PlayStation‑exclusive pattern of its predecessors. The event also featured Jon Bloch and Pavel Ulmer of 4A Games, who introduced the trailer for Metro 2039, scheduled for February 2027. Bloch described the project as a “dark, demanding experience that requires passion, discipline, and a team accustomed to working under irregular conditions.” Ulmer added that development had been “pretty rough, trust me,” while the trailer proudly displayed the message “Proudly made in Ukraine.” Undoubtedly the night’s crowning achievement was the announcement concerning The Witcher 3.
The beloved RPG will receive a comprehensive remaster, featuring upgraded combat mechanics, ray‑tracing support, and a host of visual enhancements. Most importantly, CD Projekt Red announced that the upgrade will be offered as a free update to all existing owners on September 29. In addition, the game’s two original expansions will be released at no cost to base‑game owners, paving the way for the upcoming third expansion, Songs of the Past, due in 2027.
Level‑design lead Miles Tost explained that the studio had long wanted to tell “one more story” with Geralt, and a brief glimpse of the new expansion revealed Geralt wielding a fresh chain weapon. Wizards of the Coast used the platform to promote the space‑faring adventure Exodus, set for release on April 7 2027, and also presented an extensive gameplay trailer for the Dungeons & Dragons title Warlock, slated for next year though without a firm launch window. Other notable reveals included Behaviour Interactive and Level Infinite’s Exterminauts – a lighter‑hearted take on Helldivers 2 – and Lego Skylines, a city‑building game that Paradox Interactive will publish.
Frictional Games and Kepler introduced Ontos, billed as a spiritual successor to Soma, while MBC Game Studio debuted its first project, 1001 Threads of Mizan, funded by Saudi Arabia’s MBC network. A tongue‑in‑cheek moment arrived with the absurd trailer for Showa American Story, where the protagonist attacks enemies wielding an American flag and an arm‑mounted drill. The crowd’s amused applause suggested that 4Divinity’s strategy of embracing quirky AA titles may be paying off. Meanwhile, RedOctane’s Stage Tour elicited genuine cheers, signalling a long‑awaited revival of rhythm‑action guitar games.
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 remake, arriving 27 years after its original 1999 debut.
Indie highlights shone throughout the lineup. Unrelated Studio’s Lofsöng, Airship Syndicate’s Dust: Origins, and Daniel Mullins’ eccentric Pony Island 2: Panda Circus – slated for April 27 2027 – all generated buzz. Pre‑show announcements added further depth. Team 17 revealed Worms: Galactic Tactics, an isometric turn‑based strategy game slated for 2027.
RollerCoaster Tycoon Wonderworks is set to enter Early Access soon, preserving the pixel‑art aesthetic of the classic series. Dlala Studios secured comedian Bob Mortimer to voice the quirky title Murals, while indie studio Duck Reaction’s Perceptum, due in 2027, delivered a haunting trailer featuring an elderly woman closing her eyes to commune with the beyond. Finally, Amplitude Studios announced Humankind 2 for a 2027 release, following its 2021 predecessor, which the studio head Romain de Waubert de Genlis described as Amplitude’s most successful title both financially and in player numbers.
The studio, now independent from Sega since 2024, is poised to build on that legacy with the upcoming sequel.