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 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 across the crowd. The event kicked off with Geoff Keighley delivering a surprisingly personal opening address.
He recounted how, after last year’s show, he returned 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 video‑game industry is changing and evolving.” He pointed to the wave of layoffs and the rising cost of hardware driven by an AI‑chip shortage, before affirming that developers worldwide continue to press on and create fresh experiences.
The first trailer of the night lit up the screen with the word "Hoyoverse," prompting audible gasps from the audience—a clear sign of the massive global appeal of titles such as Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail. The showcase then unveiled Nodusfall, a sleek cooperative action game that bears a strong resemblance to Capcom’s Monster Hunter series, inviting players to hunt down draconic beasts together. A noticeable trend emerged: a robust showing from Chinese and Korean studios.
Among the announced projects were 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 revealed a new life‑simulation experience called Petit Planet, further underscoring the region’s growing influence. Japanese developer Square Enix took the stage next.
Director Naoki Hamaguchi introduced Final Fantasy VII: Revelation, slated for a spring 2027 release. Notably, the title will launch simultaneously on every major platform, a departure from the previous two entries which were timed PlayStation exclusives. 4A Games representatives Jon Bloch and Pavel Ulmer appeared to present the trailer for Metro 2039, scheduled for February 2027. Bloch described the project as a “dark, demanding endeavor that requires passion, discipline, and a team accustomed to working under chaotic conditions.” Ulmer added, with a hint of humor, that development had been “pretty rough, trust me.” The trailer opened with a proud declaration: "Proudly made in Ukraine." The night’s undeniable climax was the announcement concerning The Witcher 3.
The crowd erupted when CD Projekt Red revealed a comprehensive remaster that adds upgraded combat mechanics, ray‑tracing graphics, and a host of quality‑of‑life improvements. Even more exciting, the remaster will be offered as a free upgrade to all owners of the original game on September 29.
In addition, the two earlier expansions will be provided at no cost, while a brand‑new third expansion, Songs of the Past, is slated for 2027. Level‑design lead Miles Tost explained that the studio had long wanted to craft “one more story” for Geralt, and a brief look at the upcoming content showed the witcher wielding a fresh chain weapon.
Wizards of the Coast used the platform to tease the space‑exploration title Exodus, arriving on April 7 2027, and to roll out an extensive gameplay trailer for the upcoming Dungeons & Dragons game Warlock, due next year but without a firm launch window. Other noteworthy reveals included Behaviour Interactive’s Exterminauts (co‑produced with Level Infinite), a lighter‑hearted spin on Helldivers 2; Lego Skylines, a city‑building simulation that Paradox Interactive will publish; 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, financed by Saudi Arabia’s media giant MBC. The quirky trailer for Showa American Story—featuring a protagonist who attacks foes with an American flag and an arm‑mounted drill—earned a modest round of applause, suggesting that 4Divinity’s strategy of embracing eccentric AAA concepts may be paying off. Meanwhile, RedOctane’s Stage Tour sparked genuine cheers, indicating that the resurgence of rhythm‑guitar games is eagerly anticipated by fans.
Nostalgia also had its moment. Sega presented a first look at Crazy Taxi World Tour, while Saber Interactive confirmed Turok: Origins for a spring 2027 release. Heroes of Might and Magic 3 is receiving a full remake, arriving 27 years after its original 1999 debut.
Indie highlights shone throughout the event. Unrelated Studio’s Lofsöng, Airship Syndicate’s Dust: Origins, and Daniel Mullins’ eccentric Pony Island 2: Panda Circus (due April 27 2027) each received dedicated segments. Pre‑show announcements added Worms: Galactic Tactics from Team 17—a turn‑based, isometric tactics title slated for 2027—along with RollerCoaster Tycoon: Wonderworks heading to Early Access, promising to retain the beloved pixel‑art aesthetic of the classic.
Dlala Studios’ Murals secured legendary comedian Bob Mortimer for voice‑over work, adding a unique flavor. The indie studio Duck Reaction unveiled a haunting teaser for Perceptum, scheduled for 2027, featuring an elderly woman closing her eyes to commune with the beyond. Finally, Amplitude Studios—now independent after separating from Sega in 2024—announced Humankind 2 for 2027.
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.”