GamesIndustry.biz attended the eighth edition of Gamescom’s Opening Night Live on Tuesday, a fully digital showcase that filled the venue to capacity. The audience was buzzing, with industry figures scattered throughout the hall – Xbox’s Asha Sharma was even spotted near the front, striking an exaggerated "X" with her arms as cameras swept over her.
The evening kicked off with Geoff Keighley delivering a surprisingly personal opening address. He spoke about returning home after last year’s event to spend time with his ailing father, who passed away shortly thereafter.
Keighley also touched on the broader challenges facing the sector, noting that "the video‑game industry is changing and evolving," and pointing to the wave of layoffs and the rising cost of hardware driven by an AI‑chip shortage. Despite these headwinds, he emphasized that developers worldwide continue to press on, crafting fresh experiences for players.
The first trailer that rolled on the screen displayed the word "Hoyoverse," prompting audible gasps from the crowd. This 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 teams to hunt down dragon‑like beasts in a richly detailed world.
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 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 presented a new life‑simulation entry 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. Unlike the previous two installments, which were PlayStation‑exclusive, this title will launch simultaneously across all major platforms, marking a significant shift in the franchise’s distribution strategy. The event also featured Jon Bloch and Pavel Ulmer of 4A Games, who revealed the trailer for Metro 2039, expected in February 2027.
Bloch described the development of such a bleak world 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: "Proudly made in Ukraine," highlighting the studio’s resilience amid ongoing conflict. Undoubtedly the night’s biggest surprise was The Witcher 3.
The classic RPG was announced for a comprehensive remaster that will introduce upgraded combat mechanics, ray‑traced lighting, and a host of quality‑of‑life improvements. Even more exciting, the upgrade will be offered as a free update to anyone who owns the original game after September 29.
In addition, the two original expansions will be handed out at no cost, paving the way for the third expansion, Songs of the Past, due in 2027. Level‑design lead Miles Tost explained that CD Projekt Red had long wanted to craft "one more story" for Geralt, and a brief glimpse of the upcoming content showed the famed monster hunter wielding a new chain weapon. Wizards of the Coast used the platform to promote their upcoming space adventure Exodus, slated for an April 7, 2027 launch, and also dropped a lengthy gameplay trailer for the Dungeons & Dragons title Warlock, which is expected next year though a precise release window remains unannounced. Other notable reveals included Behaviour Interactive’s Exterminauts (co‑developed with Level Infinite), a more whimsical 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 Arabia’s MBC network, introduced its inaugural title, 1001 Threads of Mizan. The absurdist trailer for Showa American Story, featuring a protagonist wielding an American flag and an arm‑mounted drill, earned a modest round of applause, suggesting 4Divinity’s gamble on quirky AA titles may be paying off. Meanwhile, RedOctane’s Stage Tour elicited genuine cheers, indicating that the return of rhythm‑guitar hybrids is a long‑awaited revival.
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 debut. Heroes of Might and Magic III is receiving a full remake, arriving 27 years after its original 1999 launch. Among the indie showcases, Unrelated Studio’s Lofsöng, Airship Syndicate’s Dust: Origins, and Daniel Mullins’ eccentric Pony Island 2: Panda Circus (scheduled for April 27, 2027) stood out as fresh, experimental offerings.
The pre‑show segment delivered a few extra surprises. Team 17 announced Worms: Galactic Tactics, an isometric turn‑based strategy game slated for 2027. RollerCoaster Tycoon Wonderworks is heading to Early Access soon, preserving the pixel‑art aesthetic of the beloved classic.
Dlala Studios’ Murals secured legendary comedian Bob Mortimer for voice‑over work, adding a humorous touch. Indie studio Duck Reaction previewed Perceptum, a 2027 horror title whose trailer featured an elderly woman closing her eyes to commune with the beyond, delivering a chilling vibe. Finally, Amplitude Studios, now independent after its 2024 split from Sega, revealed Humankind 2 for a 2027 release. Studio head Romain de Waubert de Genlis had previously told GamesIndustry.biz that the 2021 original remained Amplitude’s "most successful game ever both financially and in number of players," setting high expectations for the sequel.