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| (Image Source: Simulation Daily/gamescom) |
Computer and video games offer fantastic entertainment, be it when talking to colleagues about the adventures you have experienced, the tense silence of thousands of spectators just before a crucial moment at an eSports tournament or that sense of relaxation that sets in when playing a game with friends at the end of a stressful day. And nowhere is this more evident than at gamescom. The theme in 2025 of the world’s largest games event is therefore ‘Games – Perfect Entertainment’. After all, no medium captivates us quite like video games. They allow us to immerse ourselves in incomparable stories and experience fantastic adventures – together with a global community. Which is why games are the perfect entertainment. This is enough in itself. But games are also capable of so much more besides: they are already firmly established in healthcare and in the education system, and their innovations are advancing technologies which are key in other areas too, meaning they are increasingly also promoting growth generally in our ever more digitalized economy. “Games are all about – but not only about – entertainment. Games captivate us like no other medium. We immerse ourselves in breathtaking stories and create fantastic worlds, then enjoy them together with a community based all over the world. Which is why games are the perfect entertainment. And that’s all they need to be. But they can nevertheless be more! They can promote health, democracy, economic growth and innovation,” says Felix Falk, Managing Director of game – The German Games Industry Association.
gamescom trend: ‘Games For Three Generations’
There has been an unstoppable development in recent years: the average age of video game players has continued to increase. In Germany, it is now approximately 40 years of age. Meaning games have now been being played by parents and grandparents too for some time now. Ideally, all three generations play together. This is not only fun but also helps to teach media literacy – one of the pillars of proper digital media use. In addition, age ratings and parental controls, which are available on all gaming platforms, encourage positive media use among children and young people, even when their parents or grandparents are unable to play with them.
gamescom trend: ‘Blockbusters Games To Go’
These days, games are played everywhere and by all kinds of people. This year at gamescom, we will experience the next level in mobile gaming. The latest generation of gaming devices such as the Nintendo Switch 2 and the ROG Xbox Ally by Microsoft make it possible for games that until recently could only be played on fast gaming PCs or exclusively on stationary game consoles to now be played while on the move. This means the latest games blockbuster can now be played anywhere, be it at home in bed or on the balcony or while travelling by plane or rail.
Numerous high-ranking politicians planning to attend gamescom
gamescom 2024 was visited by more than 500 politicians looking to get an overview of developments in the game industry and engage in dialogue with its representatives. And once again this year, numerous leading politicians have already announced that they will be visiting the world’s largest games event. This year’s gamescom will be opened among others by Federal Minister of Research, Technology and Space Dorothee Bär which is responsible for games within the Federal Government and North Rhine-Westphalia Minister-President Hendrik Wüst. Many other politicians from the EU (European Union), federal and state levels are currently planning their visit to gamescom.
Featuring an expanded entertainment area as well as a growing indie area, gamescom 2025 – the world’s biggest gaming festival – is already anticipating record-breaking figures. Exhibitor numbers are up 11 percent compared to the same time last year, with participants once again coming from over 60 countries. Thailand, gamescom’s first partner country from Southeast Asia, further underscores the event’s global significance. “The figures speak for themselves. gamescom 2025 will be bigger, more thrilling and once again the beating heart of the global gaming community. Together with the industry and strong partners, we are set to captivate fans and set new standards,” says gamescom Director Tim Endres. “Preparations for gamescom 2025 are in full swing, and while there are still a few weeks to go, one thing is for sure – at the end of August, the gaming world will once again gather in Germany for the most spectacular and diverse gamescom yet,” says Falk.
High demand – new companies and well-known brands
Interest in participating in gamescom is at a record high compared to last year. CI Games, Disney+, Electronic Arts, GIANTS Software, Headup, Kalypso, Konami, LEGO, Level Infinite, Marvelous Europe, Netflix, Paramount, SEGA and Tencent Games have also secured their spots. Prior to these recent announcements, confirmed exhibitors, partners and sponsors include 2K, 9gag, aerosoft, astragon, ASUS, Bandai Namco, BEANS entertainment, Bethesda, Bilibili, Blizzard Entertainment, Capcom, CD PROJEKT RED, Fandom, Focus Entertainment, Freaks 4U Gaming, Hoyoverse, INVEN, Krafton, Meta Quest, Nintendo, Pearl Abyss, Roblox, Samsung, Super Crowd, team17, The Game Business, The Pokémon Company, Ubisoft, Wargaming, Webedia and Xbox.
More space for entertainment and indie areas
To meet the high demand, the entertainment area will now include Hall 8, giving even more exhibitors the opportunity to showcase their latest products. Meanwhile, the indie area is expanding into Hall 10.2, occupying half of the hall for the first time. To help visitors navigate the larger venue, a digital location finder will be introduced. The tool shows your current location in real time, along with saved exhibitors by hall, nearby entrances and exits, and other useful on-site information. The service will be available on mobile devices via gamescom.global starting August 20.
event arena in Hall 1 – program highlights confirmed
For the first time, the event arena will be in Hall 1, featuring an upgraded technical infrastructure for the stage program. Highlights include gamescom Opening Night Live, The Witcher in Concert, a joint performance by Wargaming and the metal band Sabaton, plus a variety of creative formats from the gamescom social stage, such as Viva La Dirt League and the popular cosplay contest. This year’s event arena will also present two new eSports formats – the grand offline finale of “Die Techniker Prime League” on August 24, in partnership with Freaks 4U Gaming and the Fortnite Creator Championship on August 22, co-organized with gamescom LAN and creators Amar and Rohat.
First details announced for gamescom Opening Night Live
This year’s gamescom Opening Night Live will once again be hosted by a powerhouse duo – on August 19, Eefje Depoortere aka sjokz returns as co-host alongside Geoff Keighley. The first partner confirmed for this year's show is Activision, who will be presenting the worldwide reveal of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7.
gamescom 2025 will take place in Cologne, Germany on August 20-24, 2025 and is slated to head towards Bangkok, Thailand on October 16-19, 2025 for gamescom asia, followed by gamescom latam on April 29-May 3, 2026 in São Paulo, Brazil. For more information, visit gamescom's official website at gamescom.global.