Gamescom 2025 in Cologne attracted over 350,000 visitors with blockbuster premieres, indie surprises, exclusive press previews and even a Witcher 3 anniversary concert, confirming its status as the world’s leading gaming fair.
Since 2009, August has traditionally seen gaming fans gather in Cologne.
Gamescom is the world's largest trade fair dedicated to video and computer games. This year's edition ran from 20 to 24 August 2025. Spread over 233,000m², more than 1,500 exhibitors from 72 countries presented their games and products to around 357,000 visitors from 128 nations.
The event began on Tuesday with Opening Night Live (ONL), a stage show broadcast from the 'Koelnmesse' event hall. The audience included both attendees and a global fanbase following via livestream.
ONL offers a first glimpse of what visitors can expect at Gamescom and beyond in the coming weeks. Developers and publishers such as Blizzard, TT Games, and Saber Interactive unveiled world-premiere trailers of their latest titles.
Some content was available for visitors to try on the show floor in the days that followed, while other, more tightly-guarded projects were accessible only to press, and only by appointment.
Alongside the games, music also featured prominently. Fans of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt were treated to a concert of the game's soundtrack, performed by a live orchestra in the event hall. The performance marked the title's tenth anniversary and served as the launch of a new concert tour.
What was shown at Gamescom?
Blizzard invited fans of World of Warcraft to explore the new housing feature in Azeroth, allowing them to design and customise their own in-game homes. Visitors could try out the mode for 20 minutes in Hall 8, though no further details about the upcoming Midnight expansion – due in 2026 – were revealed.
Capcom showcased two major titles: Resident Evil: Requiem – launching 27 February 2026 – which takes players back to Raccoon City, and the sci-fi action adventure Pragmata, due in 2026, set in a dystopian future. Both were available for hands-on demos in Hall 9.
The Indie Arena highlighted smaller names, including Strange Antiquities, a puzzle adventure developed by BadViking.
Behind the scenes, press were shown Pioneers of Pagonia, a city-builder from Volker Wertich, creator of The Settlers. With its playful design and touches of magic, it offers a creative twist on the genre.
For fans of life simulation, Krafton unveiled InZOI, a modern AI-driven sim with high-end graphics aiming to replicate reality as closely as possible. Krafton, best known for PUBG: Battlegrounds, also teased PUBG: Blindspot, a top-down 5v5 tactical shooter. Its unique mechanic restricts the player’s vision, introducing "blind spots" that change depending on the environment. No release date has yet been announced.
Nintendo and Lego presented a range of titles, with Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight – due in 2026 – drawing particular attention. 2K Games confirmed Borderlands 4, set for release on 12 September. Ubisoft offered a playable demo of Anno 117: Pax Romana, which launches on 13 November 2025 for PC, PS5 and Xbox. Set in ancient Rome, players must choose whether to steer their influence toward a Celtic-Roman blend or a purely Roman identity, each with its own advantages and drawbacks.
Exclusive previews for the press
The full list of games is too long to cover, but several notable highlights stood out.
IO Interactive, the studio behind the Hitman series, revealed its new project 007: First Light, allowing players to step into the shoes of James Bond. Early impressions have been very positive.
Bandai Namco gave press an exclusive look at The Blood of Dawnwalker, an action-RPG set in 14th-century medieval South-Eastern Europe. Developed by Rebel Wolves, the game teaches players that time can be as valuable a currency as money.
Saber Interactive and Focus Entertainment announced Road Kings, a truck simulation game in which players run their own transport business. Unlike existing truck sims, Road Kings allows multiple jobs to be taken simultaneously, requiring careful load management and delivery scheduling. A reputation system adds further depth: drivers who behave reliably, obey traffic rules and build trust may even receive special treatment, such as being waved through traffic jams by police to complete deliveries on time.
Once again, Gamescom has proven why it remains the world's premier gaming fair: from blockbuster announcements and exclusive previews to indie surprises and orchestral concerts, the 2025 edition showcased the breadth and creativity of the industry.
