GamesIndustry.biz attended the eighth edition of Gamescom’s Opening Night Live on Tuesday, a fully digital showcase that filled the venue to capacity. Every seat was taken, and the audience was peppered 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 over the crowd. Host Geoff Keighley opened the ceremony with an unusually personal address.
He recounted how, after last year’s event, he flew home to be with his ailing father, who passed away shortly thereafter. Keighley also took a moment to acknowledge the sector’s current challenges, noting that the industry is undergoing rapid transformation. He pointed to the wave of layoffs and the surge in hardware costs driven by the AI‑chip shortage, yet emphasized that developers worldwide continue to press on, crafting fresh experiences for players. The first trailer set the tone by flashing the word "Hoyoverse" across the screen, prompting audible gasps from the audience.
This reaction highlighted the global pull of Hoyoverse’s flagship titles such as Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail. The next reveal was Nodusfall, a sleek cooperative action game that bears a strong resemblance to Capcom’s Monster Hunter series, tasking teams with hunting down massive, dragon‑like beasts. A noticeable trend this year was the prominence of East Asian studios. Several Chinese and Korean projects were showcased, underscoring the region’s growing influence on the global stage.
Highlights included Cinder City and Like or Die from NC, the battle‑royale‑styled PUBG: Ded.Net from Krafton, Ananta and Sea of Remnants from NetEase, Ti Games’ quirky Zoopunk, and Eclipse Glow Games’ sci‑fi shooter Tides of Annihilation. Hoyoverse also unveiled a new life‑simulation title called Petit Planet, adding another feather to its cap. Naoki Hamaguchi took the stage to present Final Fantasy VII: Revelation, slated for a spring 2027 release.
Unlike the previous two entries, which were PlayStation‑exclusive, this installment will launch simultaneously across all major platforms, signaling Square Enix’s intent to reach a broader audience. The event also featured Jon Bloch and Pavel Ulmer of 4A Games, who revealed the trailer for Metro 2039, scheduled for 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 had been “pretty rough.” The trailer opened with a proud declaration: “Proudly made in Ukraine.” Undoubtedly, the night’s biggest sensation was The Witcher 3. The beloved RPG was announced for a comprehensive remaster, boasting enhancements such as refined combat mechanics and full‑ray‑tracing support.
In a generous move, CD Projekt Red confirmed the upgraded version will be offered as a free upgrade to all owners of the original game on September 29. Moreover, the two original expansions will also be provided at no cost, paving the way for the upcoming third expansion, Songs of the Past, expected in 2027.
Level‑design lead Miles Tost explained that the studio had long wanted to craft “one more story” with Geralt, and a brief glimpse of the new expansion showed the protagonist wielding a fresh chain weapon. Wizards of the Coast used the platform to promote the space‑adventure Exodus, arriving on April 7 2027, and delivered an extensive gameplay trailer for the Dungeons & Dragons title Warlock, slated for next year though without a fixed launch window. Other notable reveals included Behaviour Interactive’s Exterminauts (co‑produced with Level Infinite), a lighter‑hearted take on Helldivers 2; 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 broadcaster MBC, introduced its debut project 1001 Threads of Mizan. The quirky trailer for Showa American Story, featuring a protagonist wielding an American flag and an arm‑mounted drill, earned a modest round of applause, hinting that 4Divinity’s strategy of embracing eccentric AA titles may be resonating. RedOctane’s Stage Tour sparked genuine cheers, suggesting that the revival of rhythm‑action guitar games is a long‑overdue comeback. Nostalgia also made an appearance.
Sega gave fans a first look at Crazy Taxi World Tour, while Saber Interactive confirmed Turok: Origins for a spring 2027 debut. Heroes of Might and Magic 3 is slated for a remake, arriving 27 years after its original 1999 launch. Indie offerings shone as well.
Unrelated Studio’s Lofsöng, Airship Syndicate’s Dust: Origins, and Daniel Mullins’ eccentric Pony Island 2: Panda Circus (due April 27 2027) each generated buzz. The pre‑show segment delivered additional announcements.
Team 17 revealed Worms: Galactic Tactics, an isometric turn‑based strategy game slated for 2027. RollerCoaster Tycoon Wonderworks is heading to Early Access, preserving the pixel‑art aesthetic of the classic. Dlala Studios secured comedian Bob Mortimer for voice work on their title Murals. Indie studio Duck Reaction teased Perceptum, a haunting experience set for 2027, with a trailer featuring an elderly woman closing her eyes to commune with the beyond.
Finally, Amplitude Studios—now independent from Sega—announced Humankind 2 for 2027. Studio head Romain de Waubert de Genlis previously described the 2021 original as Amplitude’s most successful title both financially and in player count, raising expectations for the sequel.