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, including Xbox executive Asha Sharma, who was spotted near the front of the room striking a bold "X" with her arms as the cameras swept across the audience.
The evening began with Geoff Keighley delivering an unusually personal opening address. He recounted how, after the previous year’s event, he returned home to be with his ailing father, who passed away shortly thereafter. Keighley then turned his attention to the broader state of the industry, acknowledging the turbulence that has been felt across the sector. "It’s no secret that the video‑game industry is changing and evolving," he said, pointing to the wave of layoffs and the rising cost of hardware driven by the current AI‑chip shortage.
"Nevertheless, developers around the globe are forging ahead, creating new experiences for players." The first trailer of the night lit up the screen with the word "Hoyoverse," prompting audible gasps from the crowd. The reaction underscored the worldwide popularity of Hoyoverse’s flagship titles such as Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail. The featured game, Nodusfall, was a sleek cooperative action title that clearly drew inspiration from Capcom’s Monster Hunter series, inviting teams of players to hunt down massive dragon‑like beasts. From that moment it was evident that Asian studios would play a major role in this year’s lineup.
Chinese and Korean developers showcased a slew of new projects: NC’s cyber‑punk city‑builder Cinder City and its gritty shooter Like or Die, Krafton’s battle‑royale spin‑off PUBG: Ded.Net, Netease’s sci‑fi adventure Ananta and the post‑apocalyptic title Sea of Remnants, Ti Games’ quirky platformer Zoopunk, and Eclipse Glow Games from Chengdu presenting Tides of Annihilation. Hoyoverse also revealed a new life‑simulation experience called Petit Planet, expanding its portfolio beyond the action‑RPG genre.
A highlight for longtime fans was the appearance of Naoki Hamaguchi, who introduced Final Fantasy VII: Revelation, slated for a spring 2027 launch. Notably, the game will release on all major platforms at the same time—a departure from the previous two entries in the series, which were timed exclusives for PlayStation. The stage then welcomed Jon Bloch and Pavel Ulmer of 4A Games, who unveiled the trailer for Metro 2039, scheduled for February 2027. Bloch described the development of such a bleak title as a test of "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," underscoring the studio’s resilience amid ongoing conflict.
Undoubtedly the most electrifying moment of the evening came when The Witcher 3 was announced as the night’s closing act. The audience erupted when CD Projekt Red confirmed a comprehensive remaster, featuring revamped combat mechanics, ray‑tracing support, and a host of visual upgrades. Even more generous, the remaster will be offered as a free upgrade to anyone who owns the original game as of September 29.
In addition, the two original expansions will be released at no cost to base‑game owners, paving the way for the upcoming third expansion, Songs of the Past, expected in 2027. Level‑design lead Miles Tost took the stage to explain that the studio had long wanted to deliver "one more story" for Geralt, and a brief glimpse of the new expansion showed the witcher wielding a fresh chain‑weapon. Wizards of the Coast also used the platform to promote its upcoming space‑adventure Exodus, slated for release on April 7, 2027, and presented an extensive gameplay trailer for the Dungeons & Dragons title Warlock, which is slated for next year though a precise launch window has yet to be set. Other notable reveals included Behaviour Interactive and Level Infinite’s Exterminauts, a lighter‑hearted spin on the intense co‑op formula of Helldivers 2; Lego Skylines, a city‑building game that will be published by Paradox Interactive; and Ontos from Frictional Games and Kepler, billed as a spiritual successor to the acclaimed horror title Soma.
MBC Game Studio, backed by the Saudi Arabian broadcaster MBC, debuted its first project, 1001 Threads of Mizan. A tongue‑in‑cheek moment arrived with the absurd trailer for Showa American Story, in which the protagonist attacks enemies using an American flag and an arm‑mounted drill.
The crowd’s amused applause suggested that 4Divinity’s strategy of leaning into quirky, over‑the‑top titles may be resonating. Meanwhile, RedOctane’s Stage Tour prompted genuine cheers, indicating that the revival of rhythm‑action guitar games is a long‑overdue comeback. 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. The indie sector shone as well, with Unrelated Studio’s atmospheric Lofsöng, Airship Syndicate’s gritty Dust: Origins, and Daniel Mullins’ eccentric Pony Island 2: Panda Circus, set for release on April 27, 2027.
Before the main program began, several pre‑show announcements captured attention. Team 17 revealed Worms: Galactic Tactics, an isometric turn‑based strategy game slated for 2027.
RollerCoaster Tycoon Wonderworks was announced for early access, promising to retain the pixel‑art aesthetic that made the original beloved. Dlala Studios highlighted Murals, which secured legendary British comedian Bob Mortimer for voice‑over work.
Indie studio Duck Reaction’s haunting trailer for Perceptum, due in 2027, featured an elderly woman closing her eyes to commune with the beyond, leaving a lingering chill. Finally, Amplitude Studios—now independent after separating from Sega in 2024—confirmed Humankind 2 for a 2027 release.
Studio head Romain de Waubert de Genlis had previously described the 2021 original as Amplitude’s "most successful game ever both financially and in number of players," raising expectations for the sequel. Overall, Opening Night Live 2026 painted a picture of a resilient, globally diverse industry that, despite economic headwinds and supply‑chain challenges, continues to push creative boundaries and deliver fresh experiences for players worldwide.