Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Key Takeaways
- Gamescom 2025 is the largest gaming event of the year, taking place in Cologne with global streams and in-person showcases.
- The Opening Night Live on August 19 features major game reveals, trailers, and industry announcements.
- Highlights include a trailer for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and a first look at Hollow Knight: Silksong.
- The event showcases over 1,500 exhibitors, including Xbox and Nintendo, with exclusive hands-on opportunities.
- The World of Warcraft: Midnight expansion introduces a new Housing system and will be featured in the opening cinematic.
Table of Contents
Opening Night Live: The Big Highlights
What to Expect Across the Week
Opening Night Live: The Big Highlights
Gamescom 2025 kicked off with the star-studded Opening Night Live hosted by Geoff Keighley on August 19 at 8 PM CEST. The streamed event showcased exciting reveals and trailers from industry giants, including:
- A global reveal trailer for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, possibly teasing its story mode.
- The debut of a new city, Cahaya, in InZOI by Krafton, offering resort-inspired visuals.
- Potential release date and playable demo for Hollow Knight: Silksong at the Xbox booth.
- New trailers for Little Nightmares 3.
- Expanded gameplay for ARC Raiders.
- A preview of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: The Order of Giants.
- A closed-door sneak peek at The Outer Worlds 2.
What to Expect Across the Week
Throughout the event, thousands of attendees and viewers worldwide will explore over 1,500 exhibitors, including industry heavyweights like Xbox and Nintendo. Xbox will showcase over 20 titles with hands-on opportunities from August 21 to 24 (source).
A major highlight is the World of Warcraft: Midnight expansion, featuring a new Housing system that allows players to create and customize their own homes in Azeroth. The expansion’s opening cinematic will premiere during Opening Night Live, followed by developer panels, esports, community events, and cosplayer meetups on the show floor (source).
Why Gamescom 2025 Matters
With E3 now a memory, Gamescom has become a key platform for the industry’s biggest announcements and celebrations. It blends trade show and fan convention, bringing together developers, publishers, and gamers for a dynamic showcase of innovation.
From indie gems to AAA blockbusters, Gamescom 2025 highlights the diversity and advancement of gaming. It’s a crucial event to anticipate for holiday season reveals and to witness the future of immersive storytelling and groundbreaking gameplay.
Key Dates to Watch
- August 19: Opening Night Live broadcast at 8 PM CEST
- August 20–24: In-person event in Cologne
- Streams and broadcasts available globally via Xbox channels, Twitch, YouTube, and others.
FAQ
When does Gamescom 2025 start?
The in-person event runs from August 20 to 24, with the Opening Night Live on August 19.
How can I watch the Opening Night Live?
The stream will be available on official channels such as YouTube, Twitch, and Xbox’s platforms starting August 19 at 8 PM CEST.
Will there be hands-on demos?
Yes, attendees can enjoy hands-on opportunities for many upcoming titles, including Xbox showcases from August 21–24.