Gamescom’s secrets to conference success, 21/08/2025
Plus: New Black Myth game, Silksong queues, and Microsoft question dodging
We talk to Gamescom’s Tim Endres and Stefan Heikhaus about the success of the long-running conference.
New Black Myth game, Silksong queues, and Microsoft duck questions in our Gamescom news round-up.
Tropico 7’s democracy bending RTS fun is our previewed game of the week
Hello VGIM-ers,
Somehow, Regan returned. Yes, it is I, the fringe of ginger flicking its way back into your inbox once again.
It is now Gamescom week, which means that, like all sweltering things, summer is almost coming to an end.
They say you never forget your first, and I can only assume that they’re talking about Gamescom.
Back when I was a baby journalist, I managed to blag a press pass to Gamescom 2013 and, even more impressively, convince a group of my mates to come with me to play video games as a “lads’ holiday".
Needless to say, queuing up for forty minutes to play a few rounds of Titanfall wasn’t exactly tearing up the clubs of Cologne.
While most of my mates got bored with the convention after the first day, swiftly swapping the Koelnmesse for getting Koelnmessy, I bounded about Gamescom’s gargantuan conference halls in wide-eyed wonder. I felt like I was only one small step away from making it to E3 - the LA-based event that nerdy dreams were made of.
12 years later, I’m writing this newsletter in the centre of Cologne, the day before attending my 11th Gamescom. And in a Game of Thrones-worthy twist, Gamescom now sits with its legs sprawled atop the gaming event throne that E3 once sat on and has since fallen from to its untimely demise.
But why has Gamescom endured where other events have failed? How has it curated a joyously festive atmosphere, which achieves the rare balancing act of being fun for consumers and business people alike? And what’s next for the now steadily expanding event series?
I chatted to Tim Endres and Stefan Heikhuas, the brains behind Gamescom, to find out.
The big read - Gamescom’s secrets to conference success
Scrumming it: It's no secret that running big industry events has never been riskier, with sky-high running costs butting up against tighter-than-ever industry budgets. Yet as over 300,000 people and 1500 exhibitors prepare to descend on the Koelnmesse for the latest edition of Gamescom, you certainly wouldn’t know it.
Are you not entertained?: “In 2025, Gamescom stands unrivalled as the world’s largest and most important games event,” says Tim Endres, Gamescom’s joint Director, talking as if Gamescom has just emerged victorious in gladiatorial combat. “We are speaking about more than 1,500 exhibitors from over 70 countries. That is unique in its form, and a position we’ve earned through relentless innovation.”
Battle royale: To be fair to Maximus Endresius, Gamescom has survived a vicious fight to the death. Since Gamescom first started in 2009, I’ve witnessed the demise of E3, the Entertainment Software Association’s big bash in LA, and the decline of EGX, formerly the jewel in the UK consumer games event crown. But since Gamescom shifted from Leipzig to conquering Cologne, it has only gone from strength to strength, becoming the biggest games event in Europe (and arguably the world) in the process.
Why just survive when you can thrive?: But what do the ringleaders of the sweaty mayhem think is the secret to its success? “I think, what truly sets Gamescom apart, is its ability to evolve with and for its community,” reflects Endres, “ Whether it’s launching new areas like the cards & boards area and the social stage, improving accessibility, or expanding internationally…Gamescom listens and adapts.”
Hybrid theory
Never stop stopping: A big reason why Gamescom has been able to listen so effectively is its consistency. The event has established itself as a fixture in the minds of consumers and businesses, allowing it to command a place in the calendar (and the community).. “We are certain that one of the things that helped us was that Gamescom never stopped,” says Stefan Heikhaus, Director of Gamescom over at German trade association GAME.” Even during the pandemic, we continued to hold annual events in fully digital formats. This kept our community and industry partners engaged and enabled us to innovate our hybrid strategy.”
Geoffscom: One important part of that hybrid strategy is Geoff Keighley’s Opening Night Live event. As E3 and other events floundered as Covid ground the world to a halt, Gamescom had shrewdly incorporated livestreams into its schedule in 2019 with when the first European Keighley-fest took place. The combination of livestream and physical event space is one that's kept them in good stead, with ONL finding an audience (even in the years where its line-up doesn’t always shine).
Steady as she shows: “Over the past six years, Gamescom Opening Night Live has evolved from a bold idea into one of the most-watched global shows in gaming,” says Endres,” One of the most important lessons we’ve learned is that a live show of this scale must balance spectacle with substance. Audiences expect entertainment, but they also value authenticity and pacing. It's not just about world premieres; it's about how you tell the story of where the industry is headed.”
All reveals flow up (live)stream: And while Geoff plays a big role in telling that story on behalf of Gamescom itself, the organisers are relaxed when publishers squeeze their own glitzy broadcast events into the calendar too. “Company-specific livestreams play an important role in today’s games industry,” says Endres. “I think they strengthen the ecosystem around Gamescom. The excitement they generate throughout the year often builds momentum that culminates in Cologne. And what makes Gamescom unique is that we combine this global digital reach with the irreplaceable on-site experience…That’s why leading publishers continue to see Gamescom’s value.”
Politics ‘coms to town
Shh, don’t tell the incels: Gamescom has also been one of the few gaming events to have a political impact, courting German political bigwigs since its inception, such as former Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck and flippin’ Angela Merkel in its halls. Now, European games associations such as Video Games Europe and the European Game Developers Federation have turned Gamescom into a lobbying moment for the European games industry, drawing a cadre of politicians through its doors.
The politics of play: “Political interest in Gamescom has grown significantly – not just from Germany, but also from across Europe and worldwide”, says Heikhaus. “Last year, we welcomed more than 500 politicians on site, which was a new record. More and more, politics recognises the enormous relevance of the games industry. At the same time, Gamescom also helps convince those who may still be sceptical about the potential of games.”
Total phwoar: Heikhaus made these comments in the same week that Hetan Shah, the Chair of the British Academy in the UK, suggested that politicians needed to start playing Total War for their photo ops, rather than wearing hard hats. And while the official reason that politicos are coming down to Gamescom is to recognise the value of industry and “engage stakeholders”, it doesn’t hurt that they get to enjoy - and take plenty of photos - in the event’s fun-filled halls.
Party on: “What remains after a visit to Gamescom is the unique festival atmosphere,” agrees Endres, “For one week, Cologne becomes the capital of gaming. You can sense it in the halls, across the city and online: hundreds of thousands of people coming together to network and to celebrate. This global reach, diversity, and the spirit of community is what makes Gamescom truly unique.”
World Gamescom-ination
There’s more to ‘com: So what’s next for Gamescom? The answer is making the most of its global reach. In the past two years, we’ve seen the launch of Gamescom LATAM in São Paulo and Gamescom Asia in Singapore (though it moved to Thailand this year). And so far, both events seem to be doing the (events) business.
Pump those numbers: Gamescom LATAM’s second year boasted an impressive 130,000 visitors and 124 exhibitors, while 2024’s Gamescom Asia saw 41,013 visitors and 177 exhibitors heading to Singapore. The decision to launch in up-and-coming markets has been rewarded so far. ”With Gamescom LATAM in São Paulo and Gamescom Asia this year held for the first time in Bangkok, we have deliberately chosen regions with highly dynamic, fast-growing gaming markets,” says Heikhau. “Both expansions have been received with great enthusiasm by the community as well as industry partners.”
You really feel like Gamescom: Yet with the German event so intrinsically tied to the Koelnmesse, how do its directors ensure that satellite events still feel like Gamescom when it's taking place on the other side of the planet? “As we expand globally, our priority is to preserve that essence of what makes Gamescom special, even thousands of kilometres away”, says Heikhaus
Pillars of Event-ternity: “To achieve that, we focus on three pillars. First, content quality and curation: regardless of location, Gamescom events showcase the creativity and diversity of the global games industry, from major publishers to hidden indie gems. Second, we maintain shared formats and values. That includes community-driven experiences, industry networking, and accessibility are at the heart of every edition. And third, we ensure brand continuity by working closely with trusted local partners while aligning with the same strategic vision, production standards, and visible messaging that define Gamescom in Cologne.”
Extension able: It’ll take more than three pillars to recreate the Koelnmesse, if you ask me (it’s fucking massive). Yet where Gamescom celebrates what makes Cologne such a special city, if these satellite events are to eventually develop the same kind of reputation they'll have to embrace the feel of their host cities just as meaningfully. “The result is not a copy, but a meaningful extension,” continues Endres, on these new locales. “One that respects local identity while delivering the same spirit of celebration, discovery, and connection that fans and professionals associate with the Gamescom brand worldwide.”
Spirited conclusion: And whatever comes next for the event in terms of snazzy showcases or international events, preserving the Gamescom spirit is essential for the future of the event. “For me, Gamescom’s true legacy lies in its unmatched ability to unite the global games community,” says Endres, “ Since its very first edition in 2009, Gamescom has consistently worked towards this goal. It is that sense of homecoming… hundreds of thousands of fans, content creators, and industry professionals from more than 100 countries coming together in Cologne to celebrate gaming culture… [that] is what makes Gamescom’s impact truly lasting.”
News in brief - Gamescom special
Opening night for business: Geoff Keighley’s Opening Night Live extravaganza was once again the talk of Gamescom, with more video games being dramatically revealed than glamorous assistants at a convention for magicians. A futuristic Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, the P.T.-esque Resident Evil: Requiem, and Black Myth: Zhong Kui, a pseudo-sequel to Black Myth: Wukong, all had their moment in the limelight during Tuesday’s event. But did any of them have to spend half a million bucks to get their slot? We’ll never know.
Queue excitement: Gamescom’s big winner so far is Hollow Knight: Silksong. The long-delayed sequel to, erm, Hollow Knight gazumped Big Geoff’s Telly Showcase by announcing an announcement about its release date, which is due later today. And while we wait for news, Eurogamer reports that we’re not the only ones patiently biding our time for Silksong. The game was the major draw on the show floor this year, sparking Queue-mageddon for those unfortunate enough to want to play it.
No charge for the name change: Gamescom’s catchily named Devcom Developer conference is no more. The two-day business conference will henceforth be known as Gamescom Dev to “upgrade its positioning” within the “key Gamescom sub-brands.” Business attendees will hope that a similarly sensible update comes to Gamescom’s app, which had some of its functionality turned off after its AI went rogue and started booking unwanted meetings on behalf of thousands of users.
Supercell success: Finnish mobile gaming giant Supercell walked away with the Best Developer Award at this year’s Pocket Gamer Mobile Games Award. The business walked away with the gong following a gangbuster year for Clash Royale, which has seen the eight-year-old game grow 251% year-on-year. Peak Games, Sci-Play and Super Play all received honourable mentions.
Freedom of the press update: And finally, Microsoft continued to fumble the bag by stopping one of its developers from answering questions about layoffs or the use of the business’s AI tools by the Israeli military. Chris Kerr from Game Developer reported that two spokespeople shot down his attempt to ask questions about both topics during an on-the-record chat with Grounded 2 game director Chris Parker and Justin Vazquez, Eidos Montreal’s Creative Director. He was then told to email the questions instead, even though he had done so previously and been ignored by the press team. Cool.
Note: Since editing this piece, VGIM has been made aware that Microsoft has since responded to Game Developer by sharing a comment it provided on August 15th on its corporate website. Details here.
Moving on
Ashkan Namousi has been promoted to Deputy CEO over at Hooded Horse…Will Lawes has been bumped up to the role of PR Manager EMEA at Konami Digital Entertainment…Simon Sparks has announced that he’s the Co-Founder/COO at Game Data Core…Sam Hilary is the new Brand Marketing Manager at Megabit Publishing…And Charlotte Cook is the new fractional Chief Commercial Officer for Cooperative Innovations…
Jobs ahoy
Scopely is hiring for a new VP of Production…Microsoft has a Product Manager position at Rare for anyone who isn’t faint of heart in the face of massive lay-offs…Frontier Developments wants you (or someone) to be its Director of Design…There’s a cracking VP of Business Development, Games role going at home of horror Blumhouse…And there’s a fun gig at Mattel in California for anyone who wants to be its Manager, Creative Strategy (Digital Gaming)...
Events and conferences
PAX West, Seattle - 29th August-1st September
Games Industry Law Summit, Vilnius - 2nd-4th September
XDS, Vancouver - 2nd-5th September
Tokyo Games Show, Tokyo - 25th-28th September
Nexus, Dublin - 2nd October
Game of the week - Tropico 7
Ever wondered what it’s like to be a dictator? Well, you won’t have to wonder for much longer, as yesterday, Kalypso Entertainment revealed the latest entry in its tongue-in-cheek RTS series, Tropico 7. Sitting down with it behind closed doors, so far at least, it does everything that you’d hope for from a game whose box art depicts a dictator riding a llama.
Launching at the end of 2026, this god game puts you in charge of your own morally dubious Caribbean island. As the supreme ruler, El Presidente, you decide which ideologies and rules you wish to impose - whether you’re a mildly meddling democrat or a nation-terrorising autocrat.
With every citizen, car journey and rubbish collection fully simulated in-game, you can track the movements of individual denizens at all times (not creepy at all), opting to simply leave them be, ‘re-educating them, ’ or even just straight up disappearing them. Who knew that politics was this much fun? (GO: I did).
Whether you dabble in communism, enforce theocracy, rule via the military or have no imagination and choose liberal democracy, the goal is to stay in power. That means you can do whatever is necessary to keep yourself in, including tweaking how elections work entirely, making rich people's votes count for double or handing all power to the mob to stay on top.
So if you fancy forcing mandatory gay marriage on everyone, demanding that your entire population gets tattoos of you, or even restricting the right to ice cream entirely, then Tropico 7 looks like it could be a lot of fun.
Before you go…
Nvidia’s super-powerful chips have revolutionised the AI economy, powering the company to a multi-trillion-dollar valuation.
But they’re serving an even more important purpose than reducing critical thinking skills, destroying intellectual property, and blowing up the climate: they’re making video game hair look great, too.
The fine folks at Creative Bloq spotted that Nvidia’s new RTX Hair feature is rolling out in Indiana Jones and The Great Circle, delivering a beautiful bouffant hairstyle for the game’s virtual Harrison Ford..
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