The world of gaming is descending on Cologne, Germany, as Gamescom - the largest video game trade fair around - has kicked off.
With more than 1,500 exhibitors from around the globe and over 300,000 visitors expected, the event promises a whirlwind of previews, demos, and surprises for fans and industry insiders alike.
The Opening Night Live set the tone with a splashy debut of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, offering the first look at its campaign, multiplayer, and zombies modes, alongside an Open Beta. The release date is set for 14 November.
Meanwhile, Hollow Knight: Silksong, still awaiting an official release date, teased nearly 30 seconds of new gameplay and confirmed it will launch in 2025.
Also attracting a buzz is Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, a game spanning Bruce Wayne’s journey from origins to legend. Players can explore Gotham and interact with iconic characters such as Joker, Penguin, and Catwoman. A playable demo is available on Gamescom's show floor, though a release date has yet to be announced.
Hardware is also in the spotlight this year. The new Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox Handheld are both being showcased - reflecting a growing trend towards portable , handheld gaming that doesn’t compromise on quality.
Felix Falk, managing director of the German Games Industry Association and Gamescom co-organizer, highlights this shift: "If you are on holiday or in the bus or on the plane you can rely on perfect blockbusters in any in any place and anywhere where you are."
Beyond the gadgets and games, Gamescom 2025 showcases the resilience of an industry that has weathered pandemic disruptions.
"The global games industry has had some tough times in the past years after a huge growth while the COVID pandemic hit," says Falk. "We saw a plateau afterwards and quite some effects like closing studios or a reduction of people working in the industry, but this Gamescom shows that the trend goes up and there's a positive outlook in the future."
For the first time, streaming platforms including Netflix, Disney+, and Paramount+ are also represented, pointing to the increasingly blurred lines between gaming, streaming entertainment, and interactive media.
Netflix in particular is making its intentions in gaming very clear. The streaming giant has acquired gaming studios and built two of its own, while publishing dozens of mobile titles, including Bloons TD and Oxenfree.
Analysts estimate the company spent roughly $1 billion on gaming in 2024 alone.
Gamescom runs until 24 August at the Koelnmesse in Cologne, Germany.
