Koelnmesse
Koelnmesse business and news from across the web.
Interview: While GDC falters, Gamescom goes from strength to strengthTim Endres of Koelnmesse and Stefan Heikhaus of Game discuss the growth of Gamescom, its integration of Devcom and Biz platforms, and its role in shaping public and policymaker perceptions of video games. They also touch upon the success of Gamescom Latam and Gamescom Asia, highlighting the challenges and strategies involved in expanding the Gamescom brand globally.
IGN expands partnership with Gamescom, adds game previews to official indie showcaseIGN has expanded its partnership with Gamescom to produce the official livestream and create content for the "gamescom awesome indies show." This collaboration will now include game previews, a popular IGN content format, alongside trailer premieres and developer interviews. IGN will also continue to operate the "gamescom studio" on the show floor and produce bespoke content for Japan and China.
gamescom dev announces opening keynote by Amir Satvat and first program highlightsgamescom dev 2026 has announced its first program highlights, including an opening keynote by Amir Satvat on the future of the games industry. The event will feature new curated tracks for Animation, Level Design, and AI, with initial speakers and sessions revealed. The conference, taking place August 23-25 in Cologne, aims to bring together global industry professionals.- The Federal President of Germany Steinmeier to visit gamescom 2026 and open gamescom congressFederal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will be the first German head of state to attend gamescom, the world's largest video game event, in 2026. He is scheduled to open the gamescom congress on August 27 with a keynote speech and participate in a panel discussion focusing on the role of games in democracy and their broader societal impact.
- Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil and Federal Games Minister Dorothee Bär to open gamescom 2026Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil and Federal Games Minister Dorothee Bär are set to open gamescom 2026 on August 26. The event, organized by Koelnmesse and game – The German Games Industry Association, will also feature Minister-President Hendrik Wüst. Following the opening ceremony, guests will tour the exhibition to explore the latest trends in the video game industry.
- gamescom latam 2026 wraps up with record-breaking resultsgamescom latam 2026 concluded with record-breaking attendance, exceeding 154,000 visitors and marking a 17.5% increase from the previous year. The event facilitated over 13,000 B2B meetings, projecting an estimated US$180 million in new business and solidifying its role as a key platform for the South American games industry. Major companies like Nintendo, Electronic Arts, and PlayStation showcased over 400 games, including more than 60 new releases.
- gamescom latam 2026 wraps up with record-breaking resultsgamescom latam 2026 concluded with record-breaking attendance, attracting over 154,000 visitors and showcasing more than 400 games. The event also facilitated over 13,000 B2B meetings, projecting an estimated US$180 million in new business, solidifying its role as a key business platform for the Latin American games industry.
gamescom GDQ: Games Done Quick Brings a Speedrunning Spectacle to gamescomGames Done Quick (GDQ) and gamescom are partnering to host gamescom GDQ, a three-day speedrunning event in Cologne, Germany, from August 28-30, 2026. This marks GDQ's first European event and will benefit Gaming for Democracy, an initiative supporting civic engagement through gaming. The event will be live on-site at gamescom and streamed globally on Twitch and YouTube.
gamescom biz launches enhanced all-in-one platform for 2026 attendeesgamescom has launched an enhanced version of its digital platform, gamescom biz, for the 2026 event, consolidating services for trade visitors, exhibitors, and media. The platform allows users to manage contacts, schedule meetings, and access event updates with a single login. New ticket categories, including the gamescom Business Ticket, are also being introduced for trade visitors, offering flexible access to gamescom dev and the main event.- Latin America’s High-Growth Games Market Takes Center Stage at gamescom latam 2026gamescom latam 2026 will be held in São Paulo, Brazil, from April 29 to May 3, highlighting Latin America's rapid growth in the gaming market. The event will feature B2B sessions on investment, AI, and IP development, aiming to foster business opportunities and connect the region with the global gaming ecosystem. Major companies like Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony Interactive Entertainment are expected to attend.