GamesIndustry.biz attended the eighth edition of Gamescom’s Opening Night Live on Tuesday, a digital showcase that filled the venue to capacity. Every seat was taken, and the room buzzed with recognizable faces from the gaming world. Xbox’s senior leader Asha Sharma was spotted near the front, playfully forming an “X” with her arms as the camera swept across the crowd.
The event kicked off with Geoff Keighley delivering a surprisingly personal opening address. He recounted how, after last year’s show, he flew home to be with his ailing father, who passed away shortly thereafter. Keighley then turned to the state of the industry, acknowledging that video games are undergoing rapid change.
He cited the wave of layoffs and the recent surge in hardware prices driven by an AI‑chip shortage, yet emphasized that developers worldwide continue to press on, crafting fresh experiences despite the headwinds. The first trailer that rolled on the screen lit up the audience with the word “Hoyoverse,” prompting audible gasps that underscored the global reach of titles such as Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail. The showcase then shifted to Nodusfall, a sleek cooperative action game that bears a clear resemblance to Capcom’s Monster Hunter series, with teams of players hunting down dragon‑like beasts in beautifully rendered environments. A noticeable trend this year was the prominence of East Asian studios.
Several Chinese and Korean 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. Hoyoverse also presented a new life‑simulation title called Petit Planet, adding another feather to the region’s cap. Naoki Hamaguchi took the stage to unveil Final Fantasy VII: Revelation, slated for a spring 2027 release.
In a notable departure from the franchise’s recent pattern, this installment will launch simultaneously on all major platforms rather than debuting as a timed PlayStation exclusive. The evening also featured Jon Bloch and Pavel Ulmer of 4A Games, who introduced the trailer for Metro 2039, expected in February 2027. Bloch spoke about the intense dedication required to craft a game of such darkness, noting the team’s willingness to work under irregular and demanding conditions. Ulmer added a candid “it’s been pretty rough, trust me,” while the trailer flashed a proud “Made in Ukraine” banner, highlighting the studio’s resilience amid ongoing challenges.
Undoubtedly the night’s crowning achievement was the announcement concerning The Witcher 3. The beloved RPG will receive a comprehensive remaster that upgrades combat mechanics, adds ray‑tracing, and improves overall visual fidelity. Even more exciting, CD Projekt Red will distribute the remastered version as a free upgrade to anyone who owns the original game on September 29.
In addition, the two earlier expansions will be offered at no cost to base‑game owners, paving the way for the upcoming third expansion, Songs of the Past, scheduled for 2027. Level‑design lead Miles Tost explained that the studio has long wanted to give Geralt one more story, and a brief glimpse of the new expansion showed Geralt wielding a fresh chain weapon. Wizards of the Coast used the platform to reveal Exodus, a space‑adventure title set for an April 7, 2027 launch, and also delivered a lengthy gameplay trailer for the upcoming Dungeons & Dragons game Warlock, slated for next year with a release window still to be confirmed.
Other notable reveals included Behaviour Interactive’s Exterminauts, a lighter‑hearted take on Helldivers 2 developed with Level Infinite, and Lego Skylines, a city‑building game that Paradox Interactive will publish. Frictional Games introduced Ontos, billed as a spiritual successor to Soma, while Kepler presented its own title, also named Ontos, hinting at a shared design philosophy. MBC Game Studio, backed by Saudi broadcaster MBC, debuted its first project, 1001 Threads of Mizan. A tongue‑in‑cheek moment arrived with the absurd trailer for Showa American Story, where the protagonist attacks enemies using an American flag and an arm‑mounted drill.
The crowd responded with a modest applause, suggesting that 4Divinity’s strategy of embracing quirky, over‑the‑top AA titles may be resonating. RedOctane’s Stage Tour generated genuine cheers, indicating that fans are eager for a revival of rhythm‑action guitar games. Nostalgia also made a strong showing.
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 set for a full remake, arriving 27 years after its original 1999 debut.
Indie highlights featured Unrelated Studio’s Lofsöng, Airship Syndicate’s Dust: Origins, and Daniel Mullins’ eccentric Pony Island 2: Panda Circus, slated for April 27, 2027. The pre‑show segment delivered additional surprises. Team 17 announced Worms: Galactic Tactics, an isometric turn‑based strategy game slated for 2027.
RollerCoaster Tycoon Wonderworks is heading to Early Access, promising to retain the pixel‑art charm of the classic series. Dlala Studios’ Murals secured veteran comedian Bob Mortimer for voice‑over work, adding a unique comedic flavor. 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 from Sega since 2024—revealed Humankind 2 for a 2027 launch.
Studio head Romain de Waubert de Genlis had previously told GamesIndustry.biz that the 2021 original was Amplitude’s most successful title both financially and in player count, setting high expectations for the sequel.