GamesIndustry.biz attended the eighth edition of Gamescom’s Opening Night Live on Tuesday evening, a fully digital showcase that filled the venue to capacity. Every seat was taken, and a host of industry personalities were on hand – among them Xbox’s senior leader Asha Sharma, who stood near the front and playfully formed an "X" with her arms as the cameras swept across the crowd. The program was kicked off by Geoff Keighley, who delivered a surprisingly personal opening address.
He spoke about returning home after last year’s event to be with his ailing father, who passed away shortly thereafter. Keighley also took a moment to acknowledge the challenges facing the sector, noting that "the video‑game industry is in a state of flux," with widespread layoffs and rising hardware costs driven by a shortage of AI‑related components. Despite these headwinds, he emphasized that developers worldwide continue to press on, crafting fresh experiences for players. The first trailer set the tone, flashing the word "Hoyoverse" on screen and prompting audible gasps from the audience.
This reaction underscored the global reach of titles such as Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail. The showcase then shifted to Nodusfall, a slick co‑op action game that bears a clear resemblance to Capcom’s Monster Hunter series, tasking teams with hunting down dragon‑like beasts in a richly rendered world. A noticeable trend this year was the prominence of Chinese and Korean studios.
Several of their projects were highlighted, including Cinder City and Like or Die from NCSoft, 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. The line‑up also featured another Hoyoverse offering, the life‑simulation title Petit Planet, which promises a whimsical take on daily living in a fantastical setting. Naoki Hamaguchi took the stage to unveil Final Fantasy VII: Revelation, slated for a spring 2027 release. Notably, this entry will launch across all platforms simultaneously, a departure from the previous two installments which were timed exclusives for PlayStation.
Jon Bloch and Pavel Ulmer of 4A Games then presented 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," while Ulmer added that development had been "pretty rough, trust me." The trailer opened with a proud declaration: "Proudly made in Ukraine," highlighting the studio’s resilience amid ongoing conflict. Undoubtedly the night’s biggest moment was the announcement concerning The Witcher 3. The crowd erupted when it was revealed that the beloved RPG would receive a comprehensive remaster, featuring upgraded combat mechanics, ray‑tracing graphics, and a host of quality‑of‑life improvements.
Even more generous, CD Projekt Red confirmed that the remaster will be offered as a free upgrade to all owners of the original game on September 29. In addition, the two previous expansions will be provided at no cost, and a brand‑new third expansion, Songs of the Past, is slated for 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 upcoming content showed the witcher wielding a fresh chain weapon.
Wizards of the Coast used the platform to promote the space‑adventure Exodus, due April 7, 2027, and also released an extended gameplay trailer for the Dungeons & Dragons title Warlock, which is expected next year though a precise launch window has yet to be announced. Other notable reveals included Behaviour Interactive’s Exterminauts, a lighter‑hearted spin on Helldivers 2 developed with Level Infinite; Lego Skylines, a new city‑building game that will be published by Paradox Interactive; and Ontos from Frictional Games and Kepler, billed as a spiritual successor to Soma. MBC Game Studio, backed by Saudi Arabia’s media giant MBC, debuted its first project, 1001 Threads of Mizan. The quirky trailer for Showa American Story—showcasing 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 off‑beat AA titles may be resonating.
RedOctane’s Stage Tour prompted genuine cheers, indicating that the return of rhythm‑action guitar games is eagerly anticipated. Nostalgia also featured heavily.
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 III is receiving a full remake, arriving 27 years after its original 1999 launch. Indie highlights 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 surprises. Team 17 announced Worms: Galactic Tactics, an isometric turn‑based tactics title slated for 2027. RollerCoaster Tycoon Wonderworks is heading to Early Access soon, retaining the pixel‑art aesthetic of the classic series.
Dlala Studios’ Murals secured comedian Bob Mortimer for voice work, adding a humorous touch. Indie studio Duck Reaction’s Perceptum, due 2027, made an impact with a haunting trailer featuring an elderly woman closing her eyes to commune with the beyond.
Finally, Amplitude Studios—independent from Sega since 2024—revealed Humankind 2 for 2027. Studio head Romain de Waubert de Genlis had previously described the 2021 original as Amplitude’s "most successful game ever, both financially and in player numbers."