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 a host of gaming personalities were visible in the crowd – for example, Xbox chief Asha Sharma was spotted near the front, striking an "X" with her arms as the cameras swept across the audience. The evening began with Geoff Keighley delivering a surprisingly personal opening address. He recounted how, after last year’s event, he rushed home to be with his ailing father, who passed away shortly thereafter.
Keighley also touched on the broader challenges facing the industry, noting that "it’s no secret that the video‑game sector is shifting and evolving," referencing the wave of layoffs and the surge in hardware prices driven by a shortage of AI‑related components. Despite these setbacks, he emphasized that developers worldwide continue to press on, crafting fresh experiences for players. The first trailer of the show lit up the screen with the word "Hoyoverse," prompting audible gasps from the audience. This reaction underscored the global reach of 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, with teams of players hunting down dragon‑like beasts in a richly detailed world. The tone of the night hinted at a growing influence from 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.
In addition, Hoyoverse presented another offering – the life‑simulation title Petit Planet – further showcasing the region’s creative breadth. Naoki Hamaguchi took the stage to introduce Final Fantasy VII: Revelation, slated for a spring 2027 release. Notably, this installment will launch on every major platform simultaneously, a departure from the previous two entries that were timed PlayStation exclusives. Jon Bloch and Pavel Ulmer of 4A Games then appeared to unveil the trailer for Metro 2039, scheduled for February 2027.
Bloch described the development of such a bleak, atmospheric game as requiring "a lot of passion, discipline, and a team accustomed to working without peace or regularity," while Ulmer added that the process had been "pretty rough, trust me." The trailer opened with a proud declaration: "Proudly made in Ukraine," a nod to the studio’s origins. Undoubtedly the most electrifying moment of the evening was the announcement concerning The Witcher 3.
The crowd erupted when it was revealed that the beloved open‑world RPG will receive a comprehensive remaster featuring upgraded combat mechanics, ray‑traced lighting, and a host of quality‑of‑life improvements. Even more generous, CD Projekt Red confirmed that the remastered version 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 provided at no cost, and a third expansion – Songs of the Past – is slated for a 2027 launch.
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 upcoming expansion showed the protagonist wielding a new chain weapon. Wizards of the Coast used the platform to promote the space‑adventure Exodus, due on April 7 2027, and also released an extensive gameplay trailer for the Dungeons & Dragons title Warlock, which is expected next year though a precise date remains unannounced. Other noteworthy reveals included Behaviour Interactive’s Exterminauts (in partnership with Level Infinite), a lighter‑hearted 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 debuted its first project, 1001 Threads of Mizan, backed by the Saudi Arabian broadcaster MBC.
A particularly quirky moment arrived with the trailer for Showa American Story, where the protagonist attacks enemies wielding an American flag and an arm‑mounted drill. The crowd’s amused applause suggested that 4Divinity’s strategy of championing eccentric AA titles may be paying off. Meanwhile, RedOctane’s Stage Tour elicited genuine whoops, indicating a strong appetite for the return of rhythm‑action guitar games.
Nostalgia also featured prominently. 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 receiving a full remake, arriving 27 years after its original 1999 debut. Among the indie highlights were Unrelated Studio’s Lofsöng, Airship Syndicate’s Dust: Origins, and Daniel Mullins’ off‑beat Pony Island 2: Panda Circus, set for an April 27 2027 launch.
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 will soon enter Early Access, preserving the pixel‑art aesthetic of the classic. Dlala Studios’ Murals secured veteran comedian Bob Mortimer for voice work, adding a distinctive flair. 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 – confirmed Humankind 2 for a 2027 release. Studio head Romain de Waubert de Genlis previously described the 2021 original as Amplitude’s "most successful game ever both financially and in number of players," setting high expectations for the sequel.