Gamescom 2019: What you need to know
What is The world's largest gaming event (in terms of exhibits and visitors)
Where is that? Cologne, Germany
When is August 20-24, 2019
Can I get tickets? Yes, from the Gamescom website
It's this time of year again, when E3 has passed and we're ready to take a closer look at the biggest games announced during the event. And what better to do at Gamescom?
Gamescom 2019, in Cologne, Germany, is being promoted as a true fair that brings together personalities such as Xbox, Nintendo and Square Enix, who are preparing to give media and fans the best games to come, and we can do it." Wait no more.
While Gamescom 2019 isn't usually a big announcement extravaganza, Geoff Keighley is looking to tweak the formula by hosting a pre-show announcement live stream titled Opening Night Live, which will feature announcements and new content from Square Enix, Google Stadia, and Epic Games. . and much more.
TechRadar will be live from Cologne during the week of Gamescom 2019, bringing you all the latest news, announcements and previews of the show.
There are only a few weeks left to wait. So here's everything you need to know about Gamescom 2019, including the latest news, rumors, exhibitor schedule, and our forecast of what we're likely to see at the show.
Geoff Keighley (creator of The Game Awards) will host a new show, called "Opening Night Live," ahead of Gamescom.
Keighley promised that the show would include plenty of world premiere content and announcements. Check out the list Keighley tweeted below with some of the companies we can expect from new content:
Over 15 game publishers will create new content and make announcements at @gamescom Opening Night Live. An exciting show is being prepared for Monday, August 19! I hope you can connect and watch the flow! pic.twitter.com/THAv4bvZlmAugust 6, 2019
Keighley has excellent contacts in the video game industry, so expect some surprising announcements. With Private Division, Ubisoft, and Epic Games on display, it would be fair to assume we'll be taking a closer look at Outer Worlds, Watch Dogs: Legion, and new Fortnite content.
Additionally, we know that Hideo Kojima will be making a live appearance to introduce an "exclusive new look" to Death Stranding.
You can watch the Opening Night Live stream from the comfort of your home.
The live stream will be available on Twitch on August 19 at 7:00 PM PT / 11:00 AM PT / 2:00 PM ET / 8:00 PM PT. o August 20 at 4 pm ET.
(Image credit: Kojima Productions)
Participating in Gamescom 2019, Sony will be the company's first public appearance this year, and we're delighted with this long period of radio silence.
So what are we expecting from Sony? Well, according to Geoff Keighley's announcement list, Sony will release new content or make an announcement. Is the speculation limited to Death Stranding? We look forward to more details on Sony exclusive titles like The Last of Us: Part 2 and Ghost of Tsushima.
Despite the announcement of the PS5 earlier this year, we don't think Sony will reveal any more information about its next-gen console at Gamescom 2019. But we can still wait...
(Image credit: The Coalition)
The Xbox is getting really tough for Gamescom 2019. The Xbox will have nearly 200 booths on the show, including the first Minecraft Dungeons public works and Gears 5's Horde mode. Fans will also have the chance to try out the xCloud project.
We also know that Xbox Games Studios will be making an appearance at Opening Night Live. So we look forward to learning more about Gears 5, Sea of Thieves, and perhaps Halo Infinite? But that could be wishful thinking. We may also get more details about the Xbox Scarlett project. Fingers crossed.
Additionally, Inside Xbox will present a special live episode from the Gloria Theater in Cologne on August 19 at 5pm Paris time/4pm Paris time/8am/11am and August 20 at 1am.
Xbox will also host Open Houses at the Gloria Theater from August 21-23. Admission to Xbox Open Doors is free, and fans can participate in community events, gaming tournaments, panel sessions and other experiences.
Take a look at the opening hours below:
- Tuesday, August 20: from 9 a.m. to 19 p.m. CEST (daily press / trade only)
- Wednesday, August 21 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Thursday, August 22 from 9 a.m. to 20 p.m.
- Friday, August 23 from 9 a.m. to 20 p.m.
- Saturday, August 24 from 9 a.m. to 20 p.m.
(Image credit: Nintendo)
Nintendo has now revealed its online and offline projects for the show.
Gamescom itself will take place from August 20-24, but most of Nintendo's online activities will take place from August 20-22. Thanks to these dates, those who won't be attending the show will be able to watch a series of videos featuring extensive gameplay for the publisher's upcoming lineup.
Games worth checking out include Luigi's Mansion 3, The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening, The Witcher 3, Astral Chain, Mario & Sonic at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and Dragon Quest 10 S: Echoes of a Sad Age.
For visitors to the show, Nintendo will have a booth where it will be possible to get acquainted with such titles as The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening, Luigi's Mansion 3, Dragon Quest 10 S , Pokémon Sword and Shield and even previewed the Witcher 3 port.
The new gameplay is fine, but if you love nothing more than good competition, you'll want to tune in for the dazzling Nintendo Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Gamescom 2019 Invitational on August 22. The event will begin streaming on YouTube from Nintendo. in the afternoon and players will have the opportunity to travel to Japan for the Ultimate World Challenge Cup in October.
Unfortunately, the recently announced Nintendo Switch Lite wasn't mentioned, but here's hoping Nintendo has surprises up its sleeve.