The world's largest video game trade fair, Gamescom, has opened in Cologne, Germany, breaking its own records as every square metre of its 233,000-square-metre exhibition space has been booked out for the first time in the event's history. More than 1,700 exhibitors from 67 countries and regions are participating, surpassing last year's record of 1,568, with a record 47 national and regional pavilions represented. The figures underscore the fair's status as the definitive annual gathering point for the global games industry.
Major industry players including Xbox, Sega and Nintendo are showcasing new titles and playable demos. Among the most anticipated offerings are Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds and Mario Kart World, while lengthy queues have formed for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt following the announcement of a new expansion and remaster package titled Songs of the Past. The international character of the industry is on full display: more than 70% of exhibitors come from outside Germany, reflecting how thoroughly the sector has globalised in recent years. Artificial intelligence is also a prominent theme, with developers and studios exploring how AI tools can support both production pipelines and creative processes.
The event's opening drew a notable political presence. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier became the first head of state to formally open Gamescom, alongside Federal Research Minister Dorothee Bär, North Rhine-Westphalia Minister-President Hendrik Wüst, and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil. The high-level attendance highlights the industry's growing political and economic weight, though Germany's own game development sector faces structural challenges — including high operating costs — that have led to studio closures despite a federal funding programme of 125 million euros annually administered through the Federal Research Ministry.
Gamescom opens its doors to the general public on 27 August, with organisers anticipating more than 350,000 visitors before the event concludes on 30 August. Despite its ever-expanding scale, the fair's organisers emphasise that its core purpose remains unchanged: bringing gaming communities together in person, offering players direct access to the titles and experiences that will define the months ahead.