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 the room buzzed with familiar 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 cameras swept across the audience. The event kicked off with Geoff Keighley delivering an unusually personal opening address. He shared that after last year’s show he rushed home to be with his ailing father, who passed away shortly thereafter. Keighley then turned to the state of the industry, acknowledging that video games are undergoing rapid change.
He cited the wave of layoffs and the recent surge in hardware costs driven by an AI‑chip shortage, but stressed that developers worldwide continue to press on, crafting fresh experiences despite the headwinds. The first trailer that rolled on screen lit up with the word "Hoyoverse," prompting audible gasps from the crowd. The reaction underscored the global reach of Hoyoverse’s flagship titles such as Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail. The featured game was Nodusfall, a sleek cooperative action adventure that clearly draws inspiration from Capcom’s Monster Hunter series.
Players team up to hunt massive dragon‑like beasts, showcasing polished combat mechanics and vibrant world design. That moment set the tone for the rest of the night, which saw a pronounced presence from Chinese and Korean studios. Highlights included NC’s cyber‑punk brawler Cinder City, the gritty action game Like or Die, Krafton’s new battle‑royale iteration PUBG: Ded.Net, and Netease’s ambitious projects Ananta and Sea of Remnants.
Ti Games presented the quirky title Zoopunk, while Chengdu‑based Eclipse Glow Games unveiled Tides of Annihilation. Hoyoverse also introduced a charming life‑simulation called Petit Planet, adding another feather to its diverse portfolio.
Naoki Hamaguchi took the stage to tease Final Fantasy VII: Revelation, slated for a spring 2027 release. Notably, the game will launch on all major platforms at the same time, a departure from the previous two entries that were timed PlayStation exclusives. This simultaneous worldwide rollout signals Square Enix’s intent to reach the broadest possible audience for the beloved franchise. The night also featured Jon Bloch and Pavel Ulmer of 4A Games, who revealed the trailer for Metro 2039, due in February 2027.
Bloch described the project as a “dark, demanding experience” that required a team accustomed to working under intense pressure, while Ulmer admitted the development had been “pretty rough.” The trailer opened with a proud declaration, "Proudly made in Ukraine," underscoring the studio’s resilience amid challenging circumstances. Undoubtedly the biggest surprise of the evening was the announcement concerning The Witcher 3. CD Projekt Red revealed a full remaster that will bring upgraded combat, ray‑traced lighting, and a host of quality‑of‑life improvements. Even more generous, the remaster will be offered as a free upgrade to anyone who owns the original game on September 29.
In addition, the two classic expansions—Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine—will also be given away at no cost, paving the way for the upcoming third expansion, Songs of the Past, scheduled for 2027. Level‑design lead Miles Tost explained that the studio had long wanted to give Geralt one more story, and a quick look at the new expansion showed the witcher wielding a fresh chain weapon.
Wizards of the Coast used the platform to promote their upcoming space adventure Exodus, set for an April 7, 2027 launch, and delivered an extended gameplay trailer for the Dungeons & Dragons title Warlock, which is slated for release next year though a precise date has yet to be confirmed. Other notable reveals included Behaviour Interactive’s Exterminauts, a lighter‑hearted take on the Helldivers formula developed with Level Infinite, and Lego Skylines, a city‑building game that Paradox Interactive will publish. Frictional Games and Kepler introduced Ontos, billed as a spiritual successor to Soma, while MBC Game Studio—backed by Saudi Arabia’s media giant MBC—showcased its debut title 1001 Threads of Mizan.
The absurdist trailer for Showa American Story, featuring a protagonist who attacks enemies with an American flag and an arm‑mounted drill, earned a modest round of applause, hinting that 4Divinity may have found a niche in off‑beat AAA experiences. RedOctane’s Stage Tour elicited genuine cheers, suggesting that the long‑awaited return of rhythm‑guitar games is welcomed by the community. 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 will finally receive a modern remake, arriving more than 27 years after its original 1999 launch.
Indie titles shone as well. Unrelated Studio’s atmospheric Lofsöng, Airship Syndicate’s Dust: Origins, and Daniel Mullins’ eccentric Pony Island 2: Panda Circus—scheduled for April 27, 2027—each received dedicated showcases. Pre‑show announcements added further excitement.
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 that fans love. Dlala Studios’ horror‑driven Murals secured legendary comedian Bob Mortimer for voice work, while indie studio Duck Reaction teased Perceptum, a 2027 title with a chilling trailer featuring an elderly woman closing her eyes to commune with the beyond.
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 2021 original was Amplitude’s most successful game both financially and in player count, setting high expectations for the sequel. Overall, Opening Night Live 2026 painted a picture of a vibrant, globally diverse industry that, despite recent setbacks, continues to push creative boundaries and deliver fresh experiences for gamers worldwide.