Gamescom 2025 Preview
Gamescom isn’t just Europe’s biggest gaming event, it’s one of the most important in the world. And now that E3 is no longer happening, all eyes are on Cologne.
As Gamescom 2025 gets closer, studios, agencies, and brands are gearing up for a week packed with game reveals, tech demos, and community energy. Whether you’re launching a new title, looking for fresh creative partners, or figuring out how to connect with players, this Gamescom 2025 preview breaks down what to expect, what’s trending, and why it all matters.
Where to Catch Gamescom 2025
Gamescom 2025 runs from August 20 to 24, both in-person in Cologne and online via Gamecom’s official site. The big kickoff is Opening Night Live on August 19, one day before the main event, and that’s where we’ll see the biggest reveals and updates.
There’s a lot happening across the show, from major booths to meetups to developer talks, but the main focus is sharing what’s next in games and how the industry is evolving.
Emerging Themes
As Gamescom approaches, we’re starting to see clear trends in how games are being made, shared, and played.
Global Growth and Shifting Power Centers
Game production is no longer dominated by traditional Western studios. China continues to surge ahead with a flood of new titles, many of which are finding global audiences. At the same time, regions like Brazil are accelerating as both creative hubs and consumer markets. Meanwhile, the Middle East is emerging as a significant investor territory, reshaping the economics of the industry. These shifts are changing not just where games are made, but how they’re funded, distributed, and received worldwide.
AI in Game Development and Live Ops
Not surprisingly, AI is impacting how games are built and run. Tools like Unity Muse and Unreal’s MetaHuman are helping studios create characters, assets, and even dialogue faster. Expect to hear a lot more about how AI is being used in live game updates and procedural storytelling. One report projects the AI-in-games market could grow by over $27 billion between 2025 and 2029.
A New Era For Nintendo
The release of Nintendo Switch 2 is the first major console launch in five years. What’s especially exciting is the third-party support expected to follow. Developers big and small are lining up to bring games to the platform, thanks to better specs and a larger install base from day one. This could mean more cross-platform titles, higher-fidelity ports, and a major shift in how studios think about handheld gaming.
What We’re Excited About
Big Reveals
There’s always buzz leading up to Gamescom, but this year’s Opening Night Live is shaping up to be especially exciting. Gamescom’s official X (Twitter) account has already confirmed a couple of major reveals, including the worldwide premiere of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and the unveiling of World of Warcraft: Midnight, a brand-new expansion that longtime WoW fans are already speculating wildly about.
Beyond that, we’ve seen information about a new demo for Hollow Knight: Silksong. After years of anticipation, fans are eager to see what’s next for the long-awaited sequel. There’s also been major hype around Resident Evil: Requiem after the trailer reveal at Summer Games Fest back in June.
Other games generating excitement include Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree, which looks to mix folklore and action-RPG elements in a fresh way, and Little Nightmares III, the latest entry in the beloved, eerie puzzle-platformer series. We’re hoping for deeper gameplay reveals and maybe even release dates for some of these.
On top of all that, we know that several well-known studios will be making an appearance, including Digital Eclipse (known for their retro game revivals, like Mortal Kombat), Konami Deutschland, Kalypso Media, Capcom Deutschland, and Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe. They’ll no doubt come with updates on existing franchises or reveal something completely new.
Indie Scene on Fire
The Indie Arena Booth is back and bigger than ever. With more than 200 games featured from 39 different countries, it’s a great place to find unexpected hits, creative new mechanics, and some of the best storytelling in the industry.
If this year’s Summer Games Fest and past years of Gamescom are any indication, a lot of the breakout games from Gamescom 2025 will come from indie devs. So if you’re attending (or watching from home), don’t skip this part of the show.
You can watch a sneak peek of the Indie Arena Booth lineup here!
Brand Collaborations
Brands are getting more creative every year at Gamescom. Expect everything from surprise pop-ups and interactive booths to co-branded in-game content like exclusive skins or limited-time events. These experiences are designed to grab attention and give fans something fun and shareable.
We’re also seeing more tie-ins with big entertainment IPs — from movies and TV shows to sports. These partnerships bring well-known characters and stories into games in fresh ways, helping brands connect with players in the games they love.
New Tech & Tools for Creators
Beyond the games themselves, this year’s expo will showcase the tech powering the next wave of creativity. This year, we expect to see big updates to engines like Unity and Unreal, plus no-code tools like GDevelop and Construct that help smaller teams build games faster, without needing deep coding skills. If you’re interested in building games, Gamescom is a great place to see how these tools are evolving and shaping the industry.
Why It Matters for Publishers, Agencies & Brands
For Publishers
Gamescom is the ideal place for publishers to meet face-to-face with developers from across the globe, explore new projects, and build partnerships. Publishers can also use the event to connect with sales and media suppliers, plan upcoming campaigns, and get a real sense of what’s landing with audiences. Whether you’re looking to sign new titles or strengthen existing relationships, Gamescom is where business gets done.
For Agencies
For agencies, it’s the ideal environment to connect directly with developers, publishers, and stakeholders, and to pitch your creative, production, marketing, or strategic services in person. It’s also a great place to meet potential creative collaborators like editors, writers, designers, and more.
For Brands
For brands, even those outside the gaming world, Gamescom is a great way to connect with a passionate and loyal audience. Gamers care deeply about the games they play, and when brands show up in a smart, respectful way, like through pop-up events, special collabs, or in-game content, it can really stand out.
It’s also a chance to team up with popular games and be part of the bigger cultural moment. From product launches to influencer collaborations, Gamescom gives brands creative ways to join the conversation and stand out.
Attending or Streaming? Here’s What to Know
Whether you’re attending in Cologne or tuning in from home, start with Opening Night Live as that’s where the biggest reveals will happen. After that, make time to check out booths from Capcom, Bandai Namco, and the expanded Indie Arena.
To stay connected during the show, try platforms like MeetToMatch, the Gamescom Biz Hub, or even Discord and X (Twitter). There’s always lots of chatter happening in real time, and tons of opportunities to network.
Let’s Connect at Gamescom
Our direct sales team will be on-site, ready to meet with brands looking to authentically engage with gaming audiences. With access to over 180 exclusive websites and channels, we offer direct connections to passionate gaming communities, backed by smart, data-driven advertising strategies that deliver real results.
If you’re looking for a partner who understands both the culture and the business of gaming, we’ve got you!
In fact, during Gamescom, we’re offering up to 25% off our High-Impact Packages. Giving advertisers and brands, the perfect opportunity to boost their campaign.
Reach out online or better yet, chat to one of our sales leads during the show.
See you at Gamescom.👋