GamesIndustry.biz attended the eighth edition of Gamescom Opening Night Live on Tuesday evening, a fully digital showcase that filled the venue to capacity. Every seat was taken and a host of well‑known gaming personalities were on hand. Among them, Xbox’s senior leader Asha Sharma could be spotted near the front of the room, playfully forming an "X" with her arms as the cameras swept across the audience. The event opened with Geoff Keighley delivering a surprisingly personal address.
He explained that after the previous year’s ceremony he had 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 in a state of transition," citing the wave of layoffs and the rising cost of hardware driven by a shortage of AI‑related components. Despite these headwinds, he emphasized that developers worldwide continue to push forward, crafting new experiences for players. The opening cinematic kicked off with the word "Hoyoverse" flashing across the screen, prompting audible gasps of excitement from the crowd.
The reaction underscored the global reach of Hoyoverse’s flagship titles such as Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail. The first game spotlighted was Nodusfall, a sleek cooperative action title that bears a clear visual and mechanical kinship to Capcom’s Monster Hunter series, inviting teams of players to hunt down massive dragon‑like beasts. From that moment it was evident that Asian studios would dominate the lineup. Several Chinese and Korean developers showcased their upcoming projects, 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.
In addition, Hoyoverse presented a new life‑simulation experience called Petit Planet, further cementing its presence on the stage. Naoki Hamaguchi took the podium to introduce Final Fantasy VII: Revelation, slated for a spring 2027 release. Notably, the title will launch simultaneously on every major platform, a departure from the previous two entries which were timed exclusives for PlayStation consoles.
The show also featured on‑stage appearances by Jon Bloch and Pavel Ulmer of 4A Games, who unveiled the trailer for Metro 2039, scheduled for February 2027. Bloch described the development of such a dark, atmospheric game 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 a bold proclamation: "Proudly made in Ukraine," highlighting the studio’s resilience amid ongoing conflict. Undoubtedly the most electrifying moment of the evening was the announcement concerning The Witcher 3.
The crowd erupted when it was revealed that a full remaster of the 2015 classic would be released, featuring upgraded combat mechanics, ray‑traced lighting, and a host of visual enhancements. Even more generous, CD Projekt Red announced that the remaster would be provided as a free upgrade to anyone who owned the original game as of September 29.
In addition, the two original expansions, Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine, will also be offered at no cost to existing 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 had long wanted to craft "one more story" for Geralt, and a brief look at the new expansion showcased Geralt wielding a fresh chain‑weapon. Wizards of the Coast used the platform to promote their upcoming space‑adventure title Exodus, set to launch on April 7, 2027, and also delivered an extensive gameplay trailer for a new Dungeons & Dragons‑themed game called Warlock, expected sometime next year though no exact release window was given. Other notable reveals included Behaviour Interactive’s Exterminauts, a lighter‑hearted take on the Helldivers formula presented in partnership with Level Infinite; Lego Skylines, a city‑building simulation that will be published by Paradox Interactive; and Ontos from Frictional Games and Kepler, billed as a spiritual successor to the critically acclaimed Soma.
MBC Game Studio, backed by Saudi broadcaster MBC, debuted its first title, 1001 Threads of Mizan. A particularly quirky moment arrived with the trailer for Showa American Story, in which the protagonist attacks enemies using an American flag and an arm‑mounted drill. The oddball presentation earned a modest round of applause, suggesting that 4Divinity’s strategy of embracing eccentric AA titles may be resonating. Meanwhile, RedOctane’s Stage Tour sparked genuine cheers, indicating that the community is eager for a revival of rhythm‑action guitar games.
Nostalgia also made an appearance. Sega offered a first look at Crazy Taxi World Tour, while Saber Interactive confirmed that Turok: Origins will arrive in spring 2027.
Heroes of Might and Magic III received news of a full remake, arriving 27 years after its original 1999 launch. Indie highlights featured Unrelated Studio’s atmospheric Lofsöng, Airship Syndicate’s Dust: Origins, and Daniel Mullins’ wildly imaginative Pony Island 2: Panda Circus, scheduled for April 27, 2027. The pre‑show segment delivered a few more surprises. Team17 announced Worms: Galactic Tactics, an isometric turn‑based tactics game slated for 2027.
RollerCoaster Tycoon Wonderworks was revealed as an upcoming Early Access title that retains the beloved pixel‑art aesthetic of the classic series. Dlala Studios’ Murals secured legendary comedian Bob Mortimer for voice‑over work, adding a comedic flair to the project.
Indie studio Duck Reaction presented a haunting trailer for Perceptum, due in 2027, featuring an elderly woman closing her eyes to commune with the beyond. Finally, Amplitude Studios, now independent after separating from Sega in 2024, confirmed that Humankind 2 will launch in 2027. Studio head Romain de Waubert de Genlis previously told GamesIndustry.biz that the original 2021 release remains Amplitude’s most successful game both financially and in player count, raising expectations for the sequel.