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 ; and before that, by the Bundesverband Interaktive Unterhaltungssoftware. 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. Gamescom is the world's largest gaming event, with 370,000 visitors and 1037 exhibitors from 56 countries attending the show in 2018.
Areas
Business area
Cosplay village
Entertainment area
Family and friends
Fanshop area
Events
2009
Gamescom 2009 was held from 19–23 August. 245,000 people attended that year's visit.
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 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. Sony Computer Entertainment Europe also showcased its press conference on its online community-based service PlayStation Home shortly afterwards. Sony also made its press conference available for download on the PlayStation Store. Various gaming websites offered live-blogging of the respective press conferences.
2010
Gamescom 2010 was held from 18–22 August. 254,000 people attended that year's visit.
Exhibitors
Notable announcements
The two main announcements from this Gamescom came from Insomniac Games, who announced two sequels from two of their franchises: , by revealing some gameplay from the game, and Resistance 3, via a live actionteaser 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.
2011
Gamescom 2011 was held from 17–21 August. 275,000 people attended that year's visit.
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.
2012
Gamescom 2012 was held from 15–19 August. 275,000 people attended that year's visit.
Exhibitors
2013
Gamescom 2013 was held from 21–25 August. 340,000 people attended that year's visit.
Exhibitors
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.
Gamescom 2019 was held from 20–24 August. 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.
Exhibitors
2020
Gamescom 2020 was scheduled to be held from 25–29 August in Cologne. 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. 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.
From 2009 to 2016, the Game Developers Conference 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.
