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 gaming personalities were on hand – from Xbox’s senior leader Asha Sharma, who posed with a playful "X" formed by her arms as cameras swept over the crowd, to a slew of developers eager to reveal their upcoming projects.
The evening began with Geoff Keighley delivering 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 touched on the broader challenges facing the industry, noting that "the video‑game sector is undeniably shifting and evolving," with mass layoffs and rising hardware costs spurred by an AI‑chip shortage. Despite these headwinds, he emphasized that creators worldwide remain determined to push forward and craft fresh experiences. The first trailer that rolled on the screen lit up the room with the word "Hoyoverse," prompting audible excitement from the audience.
The reaction 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, inviting players to team up against massive dragon‑like beasts. A notable trend of the night was the pronounced presence of Chinese and Korean studios. Several titles 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.
Additionally, Hoyoverse introduced a new life‑simulation experience called Petit Planet, further illustrating the region’s growing influence on the global stage. Naoki Hamaguchi took the stage to unveil Final Fantasy VII: Revelation, slated for a spring 2027 release. Unlike the previous two entries, which launched as timed PlayStation exclusives, this installment will appear simultaneously on all major platforms, signaling a broader distribution strategy for Square Enix’s flagship franchise. The event also featured Jon Bloch and Pavel Ulmer of 4A Games, who presented the trailer for Metro 2039, scheduled for February 2027.
Bloch described the development of such a bleak title as requiring "passion, discipline, and a team accustomed to working without peace or regularity," while Ulmer admitted the process was "pretty rough, trust me." The trailer opened with a proud declaration of "Proudly made in Ukraine," highlighting the studio’s resilience amid ongoing conflict. Undoubtedly the most electrifying moment of the night came when The Witcher 3 was announced as the headline act. The crowd erupted as CD Projekt Red revealed a comprehensive remaster of the 2015 classic, featuring upgraded combat mechanics, ray‑tracing support, and a host of visual enhancements. Even more generous, the remaster will be offered as a free upgrade to all owners of the original game on September 29.
In addition, the two original expansions will be provided at no cost, paving the way for the third expansion, Songs of the Past, set to launch in 2027. Level‑design lead Miles Tost explained that the studio had long wanted to deliver "one more story" with 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‑faring adventure Exodus, arriving on April 7, 2027, and also delivered an extensive gameplay trailer for the Dungeons & Dragons title Warlock, slated for next year without a fixed release window. Other notable reveals included Behaviour Interactive’s Exterminauts, a lighter‑hearted take on Helldivers 2 co‑produced with Level Infinite; 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 Arabia’s MBC network, introduced its debut title 1001 Threads of Mizan. A particularly quirky moment arrived with the trailer for Showa American Story, in which the protagonist attacks enemies wielding an American flag and an arm‑mounted drill. The oddball presentation earned a modest applause, suggesting that 4Divinity’s strategy of embracing eccentric AA titles may be resonating. Meanwhile, RedOctane’s Stage Tour generated genuine cheers, hinting that the revival of rhythm‑action guitar games is overdue.
Nostalgia also featured prominently. Sega offered a first look at Crazy Taxi World Tour, while Saber Interactive confirmed Turok: Origins for a spring 2027 debut. Heroes of Might and Magic III received news of 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’ wildly imaginative Pony Island 2: Panda Circus—scheduled for April 27, 2027—each received dedicated trailers. Pre‑show announcements added Worms: Galactic Tactics from Team 17, an isometric turn‑based strategy game slated for 2027, and RollerCoaster Tycoon Wonderworks, which will enter Early Access with a nostalgic pixel‑art aesthetic.
Dlala Studios’ Murals secured legendary comedian Bob Mortimer for voice‑over work, adding star power to the indie lineup. The eerie trailer for Perceptum, an upcoming 2027 title from Duck Reaction, featured an elderly woman closing her eyes to commune with the beyond, leaving a lingering chill. Finally, Amplitude Studios announced Humankind 2 for 2027, noting that the studio became independent from Sega in 2024.
Romain de Waubert de Genlis had previously told GamesIndustry.biz that the original 2021 Humankind was Amplitude’s "most successful game ever both financially and in number of players," setting high expectations for the sequel.