Gamescom 2025: Thousands Flock to the Fair in Cologne

Cologne becomes the center of the gaming world – at Gamescom 2025, industry giants and indie studios showcase the future of gaming.

Record Number of Exhibitors and High Expectations

Gamescom 2025 officially started on August 20 in Cologne. After an elaborately staged opening show on Tuesday evening, the fair opened on Wednesday morning for trade visitors, and from Thursday it is also accessible to the general public. With over 1500 participating exhibitors, the fair reaches a new high. The previous year there were 1462. Visitor numbers are expected to be comparable to those of 2024 – back then, 335,000 guests streamed through the Cologne exhibition halls.

Nintendo Creates a Stir with Switch 2

Among the biggest crowd-pullers is the new handheld console "Switch 2" from Nintendo. The flexibly usable console allows for gaming on the go or on the TV and is already enjoying great popularity. The trend towards handhelds continues – thanks to powerful hardware, compact devices are increasingly perceived as full-fledged gaming platforms.

Game Innovations from Dark to Nostalgic

The games presented also reflect the diversity of the industry. Action-packed titles like "Call of Duty – Black Ops 7" or "World of Warcraft – Midnight" rely on dark scenarios, team gameplay, and visually impressive worlds. The horror classic "Resident Evil" returns with the installment "Requiem." In addition, the retro game "Death by Scrolling" by Ron Gilbert creates a nostalgic atmosphere in the style of the 1990s.

Streaming Providers Push into the Gaming Business

A growing area at Gamescom is streaming services. Netflix, Disney+, and for the first time Paramount+ present themselves with gaming content. Amazon Prime used the stage of the opening show to showcase the second season of the series "Fallout" – based on the video game of the same name. In addition to the producers, the main actors Ella Purnell and Aaron Moten also appeared.

Curiosities and Family-Friendly Content Complement the Offer

Apart from blockbuster games, creative concepts also attract attention. The game "Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight" features the well-known comic character in the form of Lego heroes – complete with tongue-in-cheek staged battles. Gamescom thus remains a platform for classic action as well as humorous or experimental gaming experiences.

Open Until Sunday

The fair remains open until Sunday. In addition to numerous play stations and networking opportunities, visitors can get a firsthand look at the current state of the gaming industry – a market that continues to grow and become increasingly diverse in terms of technology.

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.