Gamescom, Europe's biggest video game event, is almost here. Gamers, studios, industry professionals and journalists are descending on Cologne, Germany from Aug. 20 to 24 to explore upcoming games. While E3 reigned in the US for decades, it never quite topped Gamescom, which has traditionally been one of, if not the biggest, games show in the world -- especially now that E3 is no more. Now that we're past June's Summer Game Fest, Gamescom is one of the last events in 2024 to offer early looks at the next big games coming later this year and in 2025.
Gamescom is a huge event, which drew 320,000 people last year to Cologne where the event is held. Many attendees are the public, who came to get their hands on games being previewed by games industry creators from one-person indie studios to massive publishers.
CNET is on the ground for Gamescom to see plenty of these new games, but fans will also get early looks through showcases like Opening Night Live. Games industry events ringleader Geoff Keighley hosts ONL, a trailer showcase that's already confirmed to show several upcoming games like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Dune: Awakening and more.
Opening Night Live on Aug. 20 is the trailer-packed showcase that serves as a starting gun for Gamescom, which runs from Aug. 21 through 24. ONL kicks off at 11 a.m. PT / 2 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CEST live at the Koelnmasse, the convention center in Cologne, Germany. The preshow for the event starts half an hour before.
Viewers at home can watch Opening Night Live on Gamescom's website, via YouTube livestream (which starts an hour before the show) or on the show host Geoff Keighley's Twitch account for The Game Awards. If you can't watch the video, we have a written liveblog with all the new trailers as they're being shown.
We know some -- but not all -- of what will be shown during the 2-hour marathon of trailers and features: Check the YouTube video above for sneak peeks at what's to come. The event is put on and hosted by Geoff Keighley, who founded and runs Summer Game Fest in the US. Keighley tweeted an early list of games that will be featured in the show. This likely means all of the following will get trailers, though they could also include remote or on-stage developer chats.
Nothing signals the start of a very busy period in the gaming calendar better than the start of Gamescom, and as usual, the massive gaming expo is kicking things off with Geoff Keighley's annual showcase, Gamescom Opening Night Live. Like previous years, this will be streamed on various platforms and gaming fans can expect two hours of announcements and gameplay trailers.
Keighley will once again host Opening Night Live, and so far, numerous games have been confirmed for the show. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Marvel Rivals, Little Nightmares 3, and Monster Hunter Wilds are just some of the games you can expect to see, and something beastly has been teased. It's also bad news for Hollow Knight: Silksong fans, as that game won't be making an appearance.
Borderlands 4 Announcement and Release Window
To kick off Opening Night Live, Gearbox confirmed that Borderlands 4 is currently in development and will be released sometime next year. No platforms were revealed, but it will likely be available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Campaign Gameplay Reveal
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 appeared at gamescom. Ahead of its October 25 release date, representatives at Raven Software showed off one of the missions in the game's single-player campaign. We previously learned that the campaign is set during the early 1990s and will focus on the aftermath of the Cold War, in addition to depicting the Gulf War.
Goat Simulator Remastered Announcement
Goat Simulator, the dumb fun game released by Coffee Stain Studios in 2014, is getting remastered. Appropriately titled Goat Simulator: Remastered, this enhanced edition will include not just a shiny new coat of paint (and all the laughable but not game-breaking bugs) but also all the DLC made for the game. This includes one DLC that was only available on the mobile version.
Goat Simulator: Remastered is out later this year.
Dying Light: The Beast Announcement
Techland is once again venturing into the parkour, the heavily zombie-infested world of Dying Light, announcing today that a third entry is currently in development. We also learn that Kyle Crane, the protagonist in the original Dying Light, will return as the playable protagonist.
Dying Light: The Beast does not have a release date.
Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero Gameplay Trailer
Bandai Namco has released another gameplay trailer for Dragon Ball Sparking! Zero, the next entry in the Budokai Tenkaichi series, which will be released on October 11.
King of Meat: A Co-Op Game
Amazongames and Glowmade provided a silly cold open for King of Meat, a new co-op game that will have up to four players play as contestants that will be enduring "ridiculous dungeons." A press release from Amazon reveals that players will become the entertainment for some type of gameshow where they aim to obtain fame, glory, and gold.
Lynked: Banner of Spark Early Access
A trailer for a new game called Lynked: Banner of Spark debuted at ONL. Alongside a first look at gameplay, the developer confirmed that the game will arrive on Early Access in October.
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Release Dates
Watch our First Look Gameplay Trailer from @gamescom Opening Night Live! Get ready for #LostRecords: Bloom & Rage: Tape 1 drops on February 18 and Tape 2 on March 18, 2025 on PC, Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5. 📼 https://t.co/lT6ZpSTwdv pic.twitter.com/EpRLJROamW
At ONL, Gamescom revealed the first look at gameplay for its next project, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage. As previously described, the gameplay is similar to that of the Life is Strange series. We also got another look at the 1990s-inspired aesthetics for the game and how it will focus on two timelines: one set in the summer of 1995 and another in the present day.
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage will be released in two parts: the first part will be released on February 18, while the second tape will launch on March 18.
No More Room in Hell 2
Torn Banner Studios provided a look at its upcoming zombie co-op shooter No More Room in Hell 2. When it releases, this cross-platform multiplayer game will allow up to 8 players to endure a dynamic and nightmarish experience fending off hordes of the undead.
Arc Raiders Update
Embark Sutdios has provided an update to its upcoming free-to-play shooter ARC Raiders. Revealing the game will be out sometime next year. Additionally, just before it releases, the studio confirmed that it will host a playtest sometime this Fall.
Infinity Nikki Closed Beta
A new open-world game with a more cozier approach, Infinity Nikki debuted a charming new trailer at Opening Night Live. Alongside a new trailer, those interested in trying the closed beta can fill out a form available on the game's official website.
Path of Exile 2 Early Access
Are you ready to fulfill your destiny?Join #PathofExile2 Early Access on November 15th. pic.twitter.com/JGMG4jLhSK
A new look at Path of Exile 2 premiered at gamescom Opening Night Live. But in addition to a new trailer, we also learned that players won't have to wait too long, as Path of Exile 2 will release in Early Access on November 15 for PC (EGS and Steam), Mac, PS5, Xbox Series X/S.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Release Date
Warhammer 40,000 is back, and Focus Entertainment has provided a new trailer at ONL. In Space Marine 2, players will put themselves in the shoes of supersoldiers as they endure the brutal weight of galactic warfare.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 arrives on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S on September 9.
Dune: Awakening Release Window and Gameplay
If you ever wanted to have your own personal experience on the sandy planet of Arrakis, Dune: Awakening will scratch that it. This upcoming third-person game will allow players to forge their own path from a prisoner to a big whig based on the choices they make.
Dune: Awkaening is out sometime early next year for PC.
Reanimal Announcement
Tarsier Studios, the developers behind the first two Little Nightmares games announced its next project. Renimal is a new horror adventure game where a brother and sister duo will have to escape an island that used to be their home all while also looking for their missing friends.
Genshin Impact Xbox Release Date
Xbox fans impatiently waiting for Genshin Impact to arrive on the platform won't have to wait much longer as the free-to-play action RPG arrives on Xbox consoles on November 20.
Monster Hunter Wilds Gameplay Trailer
Monster Hunter Wilds might not be out until next year, but Capcom wants to maintain the level of excitement ofr th enext entry in the Monster Hunter series, [providing a new action-packed gameplay trailer showing various diverse locations players will fight off massive monsters.
Monster Hunter Wilds is out next year for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves Release Date
SNK provided another look at the next entry in the Fatal Fury series City of the Wolves. This includes gameplay of longtime Fatal Fury character Mai Shiranui, who debuted in Fatal Fury 2. In addition to gameplay of one of th echaracters confirmed for the roster, SNK confirmed that Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves is out on April 24, 2025.
Monument Valley 3 Release Date
MONUMENT VALLEY 3, a brand new story from the award-winning series. Coming exclusively to Netflix Games on December 10th! pic.twitter.com/xCCQiuMYg2
Even Netflix has its own announcement at gamescom, with the streaming giant revealing that it obtained the exclusive rights for Monument Valley 3. The third entry will be released on December 10. Additionally, Netflix confirmed the first two Monument Valley games will arrive for its subscribers, with Monument Valley coming on September 19 and Monument Valley 2 available on October 29.
Mecha BREAK Closed Beta
Mecha BREAK, the new action game from Amazing Seasun Games, announced revealed a new gameplay trailer for the project. Along with a release window of 2025. Earlier today, we also learned that Mecha BREAK will be the first game to use Nvidia ACE, Nvidia's new AI-powered system that provides more realistic communications between players and NPCs.
Civilization 7 Release Date
Firaxis came prepared at this year’s gamescom, showing not just a new gameplay trailer for the seventh-numbered entry in the Civilization series. But it also confirmed that the game will be released on February 11, 2025, for PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, plus Mac and Linux devices.
Starfield Update: Vehicles and DLC
If you hated exploring barren planets, Bethesda Softworks confirmed that a free update is on the way today for Starfield, which will add the REV-8, a dune buggy-esque video that will make exploring planets a lot more enjoyable.
Additionally, the end of the trailer confirmed that the first paid DLC expansion for Starfield, titled Shattered Space, will be released on September 30.
Marvel Rivals Release Date
Marvel Rivals, the 6v6 team-based free-to-play shooter featuring Marvel Comic characters like the Avengers, is out on December 6, developer NetEase Games confirmed during gamescom Opening Night Live.
Secret Level: A New Amazon Prime Video Series
Amazon continues to expand its reach into games with its streaming service Prime Video, revealing today at ONL that it is launching a new original series called Secret Level.
This animated anthology series provides original stories on various games, including new, existing, indie, and classic games. Some episodes expected to appear will focus on games such as SIFU, Mega Man, Armored Core, and more.
Secret Level premieres December 10 on Prime Video.
Towerborne Early Access
Towerborne, the side-scrolling action game announced at the 2023 Xbox Games Showcase, is headed to Early Access on September 10. While we knew an Xbox version was on the way, the developer teased the release for that platform is "coming soon."
Age of Mythology: Retold Release Date
If you are looking for a new RTS game to play, the creators of Age of Empires have created a new story that focuses on the history of the mythical age. Age of Mythology: Retold will be released on September 4, and publisher Xbox Game Studios has confirmed that it will be available on Game Pass at launch.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Gameplay Teaser
Warhorse Studios has provided a brief teaser for the gameplay in its next project, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 will place players in the middle of a civil war in 15th-century Bohemia.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 will be released on February 11, 2025, for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Batman: Arkham Shadow Gameplay Trailer
Following its reveal earlier this year, Camouflaj and Oculus Studios provided a new gameplay trailer for Batman: Arkham Shadow. Alongside a trailer, we also learned that actor Roger Craig Smith, who voiced the caped crusader in Batman: Arkham Origins, reprises his role in Arkham Shadow.
Batman: Arkham Shadow will release this October exclusively for Meta Quest 3.
Little Nightmares 3 Development Update
The Casting of Frank Stone and The Dark Pictures Anthology: Director 8020 are not the only projects keeping Supermassive Games busy, as the studio behind Until Dawn is also working on Little Nightmares 3, taking over development duties that were previously assigned to Little Nightmares creators Tarsier Studios.
Little Nightmares 3 does not have a release date yet, but Supermassive previously said it is targeting a 2025 release window.
Masters of Albion: A New God Game
Peter Molyneux, known for his work on games like Fable and Black & White, announced his next game, Master of Albion. Those familiar with the Fable series know that Albion is the setting where the franchise takes place. However, Molyneux reassured us in an interview that the game is not directly set in the same world as the Fable series.
Squid Game: Unleashed Mobile Game
You win some. You die some. Squid Game: Unleashed is an new mobile game based on the hit series. Team up with friends and enemies in a 32-player party royale showdown and race through deadly obstacles to prove your skills and claim ultimate glory.Coming soon to Netflix Games. pic.twitter.com/3g2zVZAF62
Netflix continues to capitalize on the success of its South Korean TV series Squid Game, announcing a new video game titled Squid Game: Unleashed. We saw a brief look at gameplay, which showed players enduring various lethal games that became signatures of the "games" played in the TV series.
Arena Breakout: Infinite Early Access and Full Release
Morefun Studios revealed an update on its free-to-play extraction shooter Arena Breakout: Infinite, revealing that the upcoming first-person tactical shooter is now available in Early Access. More interestingly, the studio confirmed the full release is not too far out, revealing that by the end of the year, Arena Breakout: Infinite will get a full release.
Unknown 9: Awakening Release Date
Bandai Namco has provided an update for Unknown 9: Awakening, whcih will release on October 18 for PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. In addition to a release date, the publisher also provided a live-action trailer, which you can check out above.
World of Warcraft: The War Within Beta and Warcraft Direct
Blizzard Entertainment confirmed today that World of War: The War Within, the next expansion for the popular MMO, will hold an early access beta in a couple of days. Additionally, we learned that Warcraft Direct will be coming soon.
Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred Expansion
Never fight alone 🔥⚔️Enlist the help of new Mercenaries when #VesselOfHatred launches on October 8th. pic.twitter.com/aFwfzmN6a2
Alongside Warcraft news, Blizzard revealed a new trailer for the next major update for Diablo IV. This new trailer revealed that the new expansion will allow players to enlist the help of new mercenaries when the expansion arrives on October 8.
The First Berserker: Khazan Closed Beta
We knew that the upcoming action RPG The First Berserker: Khazan, would release sometime next year. But today, Neople and Nexon revealed that it will hold a technical closed beta test for console players before officially launching early next year.
Nexon revealed that the closed beta test will be available on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S starting October 11 and concluding on October 20.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Release Date
MachineGames provided another update to its upcoming game, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. During ONL, actor Troy Baker, who was confirmed earlier this year to be voicing the titular character, narrates what players can expect in The Great Circle.
More interestingly, we learned that the game will be released on December 9, 2024, for PC and Xbox Series X/S. In addition, a PS5 version is in development, though that version will not be released until Spring 2025.
Mafia: The Old Country Announcement
Are you ready to commit your life to this family?Get ready to play Mafia: The Old Country | #gamescom2024 pic.twitter.com/79GcCB1a2c
As a "one more thing" style announcement, we learned that a new Mafia game is currently in development. Titled Mafia: The Old Country, this is the next project from studio Hangar 13.
While no release date was revealed, we did learn that Mafia: The Old Country will get further details this December, likely sometime during the Game Awards which is typically held in December.
Gamescom 2024: The Future of Gaming
gamescom 2024 is finally here. And before the event properly kicks off tomorrow, organizers are hosting Opening Night Live hosted by Geoff Keighley. As usual with gamescom Opening Night Live, a ton of news and information was revealed on a slew of upcoming games. Many of these are in booths on this year's show floor. If you missed Opening Night Live, don't worry. This roundup highlights all the announcements at this year's Opening Night Live, which you can read more about below.
