GamesIndustry.biz reported on Tuesday’s Gamescom Opening Night Live, the eighth edition of the digital showcase, which filled the venue to capacity and attracted a host of gaming personalities. Xbox’s senior leader Asha Sharma was spotted near the front, striking a playful “X” with her arms as the cameras swept over the crowd. The evening began with Geoff Keighley delivering an unusually personal opening address.
He shared that after last year’s event he returned home to be with his ailing father, who passed away shortly thereafter. Keighley also took a moment to acknowledge the sector’s current challenges, noting that “the video‑game industry is changing and evolving,” pointing to the wave of layoffs and the surge in hardware costs spurred 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 show flashed the name Hoyoverse, prompting audible gasps from the audience—a clear sign of the massive global reach of titles such as Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail. The featured game was Nodusfall, a sleek co‑op action title that bears a strong resemblance to Capcom’s Monster Hunter series, with teams of players hunting down dragon‑like beasts in a richly detailed world.
A noticeable trend this year was the prominent representation of Chinese and Korean studios. Among the announced projects were 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 unveiled a new life‑simulation experience called Petit Planet, expanding its already impressive portfolio. Naoki Hamaguchi took the stage to introduce Final Fantasy VII: Revelation, slated for a spring 2027 release.
In a departure from the previous two entries, this installment will launch on every platform simultaneously rather than being a timed PlayStation exclusive, signalling Square Enix’s intent to reach the broadest possible audience. Jon Bloch and Pavel Ulmer of 4A Games appeared next to present the trailer for Metro 2039, scheduled for February 2027. Bloch described the project as a “dark, demanding undertaking that requires passion, discipline, and a team accustomed to working without peace or regularity,” while Ulmer added that development had been “pretty rough, trust me.” The trailer opened with a proud declaration: “Proudly made in Ukraine,” underscoring the studio’s resilience amid ongoing conflict. Undoubtedly the night’s biggest surprise was the announcement concerning The Witcher 3.
CD Projekt Red revealed a comprehensive remaster that will introduce upgraded combat mechanics, ray‑traced lighting, and a host of quality‑of‑life improvements. Even more generous, the remaster will be offered as a free upgrade to anyone who owns the original game on September 29. In addition, the two original expansions will be released for free to base‑game owners, paving the way for the third expansion, Songs of the Past, which arrives in 2027. Level‑design lead Miles Tost explained that the studio has long wanted “one more story” for Geralt, and a brief glimpse of the upcoming content showed the witcher wielding a new chain weapon.
Wizards of the Coast used the platform to promote the space‑adventure Exodus, due April 7 2027, and delivered an extensive gameplay trailer for the Dungeons & Dragons title Warlock, slated for next year without a fixed launch window. Other notable reveals included Behaviour Interactive’s Exterminauts (co‑produced with Level Infinite), a lighter‑hearted take on the Helldivers 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, backed by Saudi broadcaster MBC, introduced its debut project 1001 Threads of Mizan. The quirky trailer for Showa American Story—featuring a protagonist who attacks foes with an American flag and an arm‑mounted drill—earned a modest applause, suggesting that 4Divinity’s focus on eccentric 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 had its moment: Sega unveiled 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 received news of a full remake, arriving 27 years after its original 1999 debut.
Indie highlights shone through as well. Unrelated Studio presented Lofsöng, Airship Syndicate showed Dust: Origins, and Daniel Mullins teased Pony Island 2: Panda Circus, slated for April 27 2027. In the pre‑show segment, Team 17 announced Worms: Galactic Tactics, an isometric turn‑based strategy game due in 2027.
RollerCoaster Tycoon Wonderworks will soon enter Early Access, retaining the pixel‑art aesthetic of its classic predecessor, while Dlala Studios’ Murals secured comedian Bob Mortimer for voice‑over work. Duck Reaction’s ghostly Perceptum, expected in 2027, delivered a chilling trailer featuring an elderly woman closing her eyes to commune with the beyond.
Finally, Amplitude Studios—now independent after its 2024 split from Sega—revealed Humankind 2 for 2027. Studio head Romain de Waubert de Genlis previously described the 2021 original as Amplitude’s “most successful game ever both financially and in number of players.”