GamesIndustry.biz reported on the eighth edition of Gamescom’s Opening Night Live, which took place on Tuesday evening. The venue was completely filled, with no empty seats, and a host of gaming personalities were visible in the crowd. 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 began with Geoff Keighley delivering a surprisingly personal opening address. He shared that after last year’s showcase he returned home to be with his ailing father, who passed away shortly thereafter. Keighley also touched on the broader challenges facing the industry, noting that "the video‑game sector is undergoing significant change and evolution," referencing the wave of layoffs and the surge in hardware costs driven by an AI‑chip shortage. Despite these setbacks, he emphasized that developers worldwide continue to push forward, crafting fresh experiences for players.
The opening cinematic immediately lit up the hall with the word "Hoyoverse," prompting audible cheers from attendees. This reaction underscored the global popularity of titles such as Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail.
The first game spotlighted was Nodusfall, a sleek cooperative action title that bears a clear resemblance to Capcom’s Monster Hunter series, inviting players to team up and hunt dragon‑like beasts. A noticeable trend throughout the showcase was the strong representation of Chinese and Korean studios.
Highlights included Cinder City and Like or Die from NCsoft, 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. Additionally, Hoyoverse presented another of its projects, the life‑simulation game Petit Planet, further cementing its presence on the international stage. Naoki Hamaguchi took the stage to unveil Final Fantasy VII: Revelation, slated for a spring 2027 release.
Significantly, the game will launch on all major platforms simultaneously—a departure from the previous two entries, which were timed exclusives for PlayStation. Jon Bloch and Pavel Ulmer of 4A Games appeared next to reveal the trailer for Metro 2039, scheduled for February 2027.
Bloch described the development of such a bleak title as requiring "passion, discipline, and a team accustomed to working under irregular, high‑pressure conditions," while Ulmer admitted the process was "pretty rough, trust me." The trailer opened with a bold declaration: "Proudly made in Ukraine," highlighting the studio’s origins. The night’s crowning achievement was undoubtedly the announcement concerning The Witcher 3. The crowd erupted when it was revealed that a comprehensive remaster is on the way, featuring upgraded combat mechanics, ray‑tracing support, and a host of visual enhancements. Even more exciting, CD Projekt Red promised a free upgrade for every owner of the original game on September 29, along with complimentary access to the two previous expansions.
In addition, the upcoming third expansion, Songs of the Past, slated for 2027, will also be offered at no extra cost to existing players. 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, due out on April 7 2027, and presented an extensive gameplay trailer for the Dungeons & Dragons title Warlock, expected sometime next year though a precise launch window remains unannounced.
Other notable trailers included Behaviour Interactive’s Exterminauts, a lighter‑hearted take on Helldivers 2 developed in partnership with Level Infinite; 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 unveiled its first project, 1001 Threads of Mizan, backed by the Saudi Arabian broadcaster MBC. The quirky 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, suggesting that 4Divinity’s strategy of championing eccentric AA titles may be resonating. Meanwhile, RedOctane’s Stage Tour provoked genuine cheers, indicating that the revival of rhythm‑action guitar games is eagerly anticipated by the audience.
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 3 received news of a full remake, arriving 27 years after its original 1999 debut.
Indie highlights shone through as well. Unrelated Studio presented Lofsöng, Airship Syndicate showcased Dust: Origins, and Daniel Mullins revealed the surreal Pony Island 2: Panda Circus, slated for April 27 2027.
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 was announced for early access, promising a pixel‑art aesthetic faithful to the beloved classic. Dlala Studios’ Murals secured comedian Bob Mortimer for voice‑over work, adding a humorous touch.
Indie studio Duck Reaction introduced Perceptum, a haunting experience set for 2027, with a trailer that showed 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 launch.
Studio head Romain de Waubert de Genlis had previously told GamesIndustry.biz that the original 2021 title remains the studio’s most successful game both financially and in player count.