Gamescom
Gamescom (stylized as gamescom) is a trade fair for video games held annually at the Koelnmesse in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Since 2018, it has been organised by game – Verband der deutschen Games-Branche (English: Association of the German video game industry); and before that, by the Bundesverband Interaktive Unterhaltungssoftware (BIU).[2] It supersedes Games Convention, held in Leipzig, Saxony, Germany. Gamescom is used by many video game developers to exhibit upcoming games and game-related hardware.[3][4][5][6]
Gamescom | |
---|---|
The Koelnmesse (eastern entrance) where the event is annually held. | |
Status | Active |
Genre | Video games Interactive entertainment |
Venue | Koelnmesse |
Location(s) | Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia |
Coordinates | 50.94257°N 6.958976°E |
Country | Germany |
Inaugurated | 19 August 2009[1] |
Most recent | 20 August 2019[1] |
Next event | 27 August 2020[1] |
Attendance | |
Organized by | game – Verband der deutschen Games-Branche |
Website | www |
Gamescom is the world's largest gaming event, (measured by exhibition space and number of visitors) with 370,000 visitors and 1037 exhibitors from 56 countries attending the show in 2018.[7]
Areas
- Entertainment area
- Indie area
- Cosplay village
- Retro Gaming
- Gamescom Campus
- Family and friends
- Fanshop area
- Business area
Events
Exhibitors
Notable press conferences
Wednesday, 18 August:
- Electronic Arts
- Sony Computer Entertainment Europe
Thursday, 19 August:
- Microsoft Game Studios
- Konami
- Namco Bandai Games
Notable announcements
Sony Computer Entertainment Europe announced the PlayStation 3 Slim, a smaller and lighter model of the console and a release date of 1 September 2009. Firmware 3.0 for the PlayStation 3 was also announced, adding new features to the PlayStation Network. Sony announced that the European Video Store would launch in November 2009. Sony also announced that the PlayStation Portable would get smaller games (under 100mb) in the form of 'minis' and that comics would also be available to download in December 2009. A "free game" registration promotion was announced for the PSP Go.
Microsoft Game Studios announced Fable III, along with a release date of 2010. Also, Microsoft announced their intention to release Fable II on the Xbox Live Marketplace in five episodes, the first of which will be free to download.
Media coverage
While most press conferences were not available for live streaming, Electronic Arts was streaming its press conference on EA.com.[8] Sony Computer Entertainment Europe also showcased its press conference on its online community-based service PlayStation Home shortly afterwards.[9] Sony also made its press conference available for download on the PlayStation Store. Various gaming websites offered live-blogging of the respective press conferences.
Exhibitors
Notable announcements
The two main announcements from this Gamescom came from Insomniac Games, who announced two sequels from two of their franchises: Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One, by revealing some gameplay from the game, and Resistance 3, via a live action teaser trailer. These games will be exclusive to the PlayStation 3. All 4 One has a set release date as late 2011, while Resistance 3 did not have a release date.
Exhibitors
Notable Events
- The first Dota 2 International championship took place. The tournament had the biggest prize pool of any e-sports tournament at the time.
Exhibitors
Exhibitors
2013 exhibitors | |
---|---|
2K Games
Abrakam
Amplitude Studios
CD Projekt Red
City Interactive
KING Art
Microsoft
|
Namco Bandai
Red 5 Studios
Roberts Space Industries
Sony Computer Entertainment
|
Notable Events
- The World Championship Series 2013 Season 2 Global Finals, a StarCraft II tournament with a $150,000 prizepool, were held during the event.[11]
- Three League of Legends Tournaments were held during the event:
Notable Events
- The Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Major ESL One Cologne 2014 was held at Gamescom
Exhibitors
2014 exhibitors | ||
---|---|---|
2K Games
Asteroid Base
Bandai Namco
Blowfish
CD Projekt Red
Chainsawesome Games
Cloud Imperium Games
Deco Digital
Double Fine Productions
Excamedia
|
Gateway Interactive
Grey Box
Grimm Bros
Ironward
Mastertonic
Microsoft
Ndemic Creations
Nevernaut Games
Nordic Games
Other Ocean Interactive
Phoenix Online Studios
|
SeithCG
Sony Computer Entertainment
TinyBuild
Witchbeam
|
Exhibitors
2015 exhibitors | |
---|---|
2K Games
Studio Wildcard
Abbey Games
Cloud Imperium Games
EuroVideo Medien
Grey Box
Image & Form
|
KING Art
Microsoft Studios
Motiga
Nordic Games
Sony
Teotl Studios
|
Exhibitors
2016 exhibitors | |
---|---|
Microsoft Studios
|
Nintendo
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
|
Notable Events
- German Chancellor Angela Merkel opened the event, which marked the first time in history that a Gamescom was opened by a sitting Chancellor.[24]
Exhibitors
2017 exhibitors | |
---|---|
Colossal Order
|
Microsoft Studios
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
|
Notable Events
- Nvidia announced the GeForce RTX 20 Series at the Palladium Cologne on 20 August 2018.
Exhibitors
2018 exhibitors | |
---|---|
Bigben Interactive
Buka Entertainment
|
Microsoft
Modus Games
Playdius
|
2019
Gamescom 2019 was held from 20–24 August.[1] Geoff Keighley has announced that he will help launch a dedicated video game announcement show prior to Gamescom, called "Gamescom: Opening Night Live". Inspired by the response to The Game Awards presentation that includes several new game announcements, Keighley wanted to do the same for Gamescom. The event was streamed on 19 August at 8:00pm (CEST).[25]
Exhibitors
2019 exhibitors | |
---|---|
2x2 Games
All In! Games
Bigben Interactive
Dear Villagers
Fabraz
Forever Entertainment
Frecle
Gwen Frey
Intrepid Studios
Kasedo Games
Lionbite Games
|
Modus Games
PUBG Corporation
Rockfish Games
Surgical Scalpels
Triband
V1 Interactive
|
2020
Gamescom 2020 was scheduled to be held from 25–29 August in Cologne.[1] However, Germany announced that following lifting of lockdowns in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, that all public events through August 2020 were banned. Gamescom organizers announced they would move some portions of the planned show online.[26] Organizers have since confirmed plans for the online Gamescom opening night to start on 27 August, with each following day through 30 August to feature a schedule of online developer interviews and events and a wrap-up show.[27]
Exhibitors
Game Developers Conference Europe
From 2009 to 2016, the Game Developers Conference Europe (GDC Europe), a European spinoff of the Game Developers Conference, has been held in conjunction with the Gamescom. The Conference took place at the Cologne Congress Centre East.[28]
See also
- Electronic Entertainment Expo
- PAX (event)
- Brasil Game Show
- Gamercom
- Game Developers Conference
- Games Convention
- Asia Game Show
- Paris Games Week
- Tokyo Game Show
- IgroMir
- Video gaming in Germany
References
- "gamescom Cologne". Trade Fair Dates. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
- game – Gamescom information
- "gamescom2018: first exhibitors confirmed".
- "Lost Planet 2 to make PS3 debut at GamesCom". Game Zine. 11 August 2009. Archived from the original on 15 August 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-11.
- "Sony confirms unveiling of new Heavy Rain character for Gamescom". Video Games Republic. 11 August 2009. Archived from the original on 31 January 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2009.
- Namco Bandai Partners (Press release) (7 August 2009). "Namco Bandai Partners' gamescom line-up". Retrieved 11 August 2009.
- "Final Report Gamescom 2018". gamescom.global. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
- "EA GamesCom 2009 Press Conference Video Archive". Archived from the original on 14 September 2010.
- Linger, Elliott (12 August 2009). "MotorStorm Swerves Into PlayStation Home; The Presentation Podium Opens Its Doors For gamescom". Playstation Blog. Sony Computer Entertainment. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
- "K-game's spark in European market". Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the United States of America. 24 August 2012. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
- Harris, Adrian (31 July 2013). "WCS Season 2 Finals Begin August 23". Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. Archived from the original on 8 August 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
- RheingoldRiver (22 November 2015). "Gamescom 2013". Leaguepedia – Competitive League of Legends eSports Wiki. Curse. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
- Jayway, Riot (6 August 2013). "Gamescom and PAX schedule announcement". LoL Esports. Riot Games. Archived from the original on 19 August 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
- "Check out Nintendo's Gamescom 2015 line-up". Archived from the original on 21 May 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
- Makuch, Eddie (18 July 2016). "Dark Souls, Tekken Publisher Will Announce New IP in August". GameSpot. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
- Helm, Jordan (16 July 2016). "Focus Home Interactive Unveil Gamescom 2016 Line-Up". Hardcore Gamer. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
- Barrett, Ben (18 August 2016). "Elite Dangerous patch 2.2 will introduce dual flying, new space stations and aliens in October". Retrieved 20 August 2016.
- Barrett, Ben (17 August 2016). "Planet Coaster release date set for November 17, cheap pre-orders end August 25". Retrieved 20 August 2016.
- Skrebels, Joe (17 August 2016). "Gamescom 2016: Konami Announces Metal Gear Survive". IGN. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
- "Konami announces demo launch date and releases new trailer for PES 2017". gamereactor.com. 17 August 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
- Greenberg, Aaron (13 July 2016). "Xbox at gamescom 2016". Microsoft Studios. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
- "Green Man Gaming At Gamescom 2016 – Green Man Gaming Blog". www.greenmangaming.com. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
- Ed Boon [@noobde] (16 August 2016). "A couple of fun reveals coming soon for Injustice 2" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- "Chancellor Merkel is opening gamescom for the first time". Gamescom. 22 June 2017. Archived from the original on 26 June 2017. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
- Nunneley, Stephany (16 April 2019). "Gamescom 2019 will kick off with a live show hosted by Geoff Keighley". VG247. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
- Sinclair, Brendan (15 April 2020). "Gamescom hit by German ban on events". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
- Handrahan, Matthew (18 May 2020). "Gamescom: "We can seize the opportunity to prove how digital events can work"". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
- "About Game Developers Conference Europe". GDC Europe. Cologne, Germany: UBM Tech. 15–16 August 2016. Archived from the original on 24 January 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2018.