The gaming expo Gamescom 2025 is underway in Cologne, and on August 22, during a live broadcast, the organizers revealed the winners of the Gamescom Awards 2025.

In total, prizes were handed out across 19 categories. Interestingly, some winners were games that have not yet been released. The biggest triumph of the ceremony was Resident Evil Requiem, which took home awards in four categories.

Gamescom Awards 2025 Winners

Best Visuals:

• Borderlands 4
• Bye Sweet Carole
• Crimson Desert
• MIO: Memories in Orbit
• Resident Evil Requiem — Winner

Best Sound:

• Cairn
• Little Nightmares 3
• Phantom Blade Zero
• Resident Evil Requiem — Winner
• Rockbeasts

Best Gameplay:

• Donkey Kong Bananza — Winner
• Hela
• Mario Kart World
• PVKK: Planetenverteidigungskanonenkommandant
• Resident Evil Requiem

Most Epic Game:

• Crimson Desert
• Dune: Awakening
• Resident Evil Requiem — Winner
• Super Meat Boy 3D
• Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2

Most Entertaining Game:

• Dispatch
• Donkey Kong Bananza
• Grounded 2
• Hela — Winner
• Mario Kart World

Most Wholesome or Cozy Game:

• Hela — Winner
• Is This Seat Taken?
• Star Birds
• Tiny Bookshop
• Winter Burrow

Best Game with a Social Message:

• Cairn
• Forever Skies
• Hollow Home
• Monowave
• Tiny Bookshop — Winner

Best Mobile Game:

• Arknights: Endfield
• Dungeon Clawler
• Genshin Impact
• Love and Deepspace — Winner
• Servant of the Lake

Best PC Game:

• Anno 117: Pax Romana — Winner
• Borderlands 4
• PVKK: Planetenverteidigungskanonenkommandant
• Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree
• World of Warcraft

Best PlayStation Game:

• Borderlands 4
• Crimson Desert
• Cronos: The New Dawn
• Pragmata
• Resident Evil Requiem — Winner

Best Xbox Game:

• Borderlands 4
• Crimson Desert
• Grounded 2 — Winner
• Little Nightmares 3
• Ninja Gaiden 4

Best Nintendo Switch 2 Game:

• Donkey Kong Bananza
• Mario Kart World — Winner
• Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
• Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree
• Winter Burrow

Other Categories

• Best Trailer (Fan Vote): Hollow Knight: Silksong
• Best Line-up of Games: Capcom
• Best Booth: Anno 117: Pax Romana
• Best Booth (Fan Vote): Pokémon
• Best Business Booth: Ubisoft
• Best Merchandise (Fan Vote): Star Birds
• “Heart of Gaming” Award: Artist Alleys (dedicated artist zones)

On the night of August 20, Gamescom 2025 — Europe’s largest gaming convention — officially kicked off in Cologne, Germany. The show will run until August 24, but the spotlight was firmly on the two-hour Opening Night Live ceremony, packed with world premieres, trailers, and announcements.

Here are the highlights and the most exciting reveals from the event.

Black Myth: Zhong Kui

The show closed with a bang as Game Science unveiled its next project — Black Myth: Zhong Kui, a follow-up to Black Myth: Wukong. Based on the legendary demon-hunter Zhong Kui from Chinese mythology, the game teases epic battles against supernatural beings, command over 80,000 demons, and even a colossal tiger companion. Still in early development, no release date has been confirmed.

Resident Evil Requiem

Capcom showcased a chilling deep dive into the backstory of protagonist Grace Ashcroft. The trailer hinted at disturbing family secrets, psychological horror, and dark turns that set the stage for the full game’s release in February 2027.

Ghost of Yotei – Song of Vengeance

Sucker Punch’s sequel impressed with its breathtaking landscapes — snow, fire, meadows, and mist — all looking visually stunning. In addition to the single-player journey, a free co-op DLC called Ghost of Yotei Legends arrives in 2026.

World of Tanks: HEAT

Wargaming revealed World of Tanks: HEAT, introducing 10v10 battles with customizable high-tech tanks and new combat abilities. Launching in October, it will be available on Steam, Steam Deck, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.

Project Spectrum

From the creators of Delta Force, Project Spectrum blends tactical shooting with horror. Offering both PvE and PvP, players may even transform into terrifying anomalies themselves. Expect tense combat in dark forests filled with supernatural threats.

Everwind

A first-person sandbox RPG featuring resource gathering, crafting, and exploration aboard flying island-ships. Coming soon to PC.

Cult of the Lamb – Woolhaven DLC 

Adds new areas, enemies, and content, launching in early 2026.

World of Warcraft: Midnight 

Blizzard premiered the cinematic for its next expansion, featuring Blood Elves defending the Sunwell.

Age of Empires IV (PS5)

Launching on November 4, 2025, bringing the beloved strategy classic to PlayStation.

Enshrouded – Wake of Water Update

Arriving in October, this survival co-op adventure emphasizes aquatic gameplay.

Cinder City

Formerly known as Project LLL, this MMO tactical shooter arrives in 2026 for PC and consoles.

La Divina Commedia

A mythic third-person action-adventure inspired by Dante’s vision of hell.

Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault

Early Access begins on October 23, 2025, for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II – Legacy of the Forge DLC 

Available September 9, included in the Expansion Pass.

Ninja Gaiden 4

The legendary series returns on October 21, 2025, for PS5, Xbox, and PC.

Fortnite x Squid Game - Creator Made Games Trailer

Do you want to play a game? Front Man arrives on August 26!

The Outer Worlds 2 

New companions trailer shows off quirky allies and comedic charm.

Cronos: The New Dawn 

Bloober Team’s horror with unsettling creature designs.

Silent Hill f

New gameplay with Suzie Yeung as the English voice actress, delivering classic psychological horror vibes.

Delta Force

Now available on consoles and mobile with online tactical FPS gameplay.

Unbeatable

Rhythm-based combat adventure coming late 2025.

The Darkest Files

A historical thriller about prosecuting Nazis in post-war Germany, available now on Steam.

Neverness to Everness

Free-to-play open-world RPG for PS5, PC, and mobile.

Death by Scrolling

Ron Gilbert’s quirky purgatory survival game.

Hollow Knight: Silksong

Finally confirmed for release in 2025.

Bubsy 4D

Classic platformer revival, coming to Switch 2, PS5, Xbox, and PC.

Battlestar Galactica: Scattered Hopes

New sci-fi game set for early 2026.

Outlaws Remaster

A faithful update of the 1997 LucasArts classic.

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: Dragon Pearl of Destruction

Arcade-style beat ‘em up.

Absolum

Roguelite beat ’em up releasing October 9, 2025.

Swords of Legends

A mystical Chinese myth RPG adventure.

Valor Mortis

Napoleonic action horror from the creators of Ghostrunner.

PVKK: Planetenverteidigungskanonenkommandant

A tongue-in-cheek Papers, Please-style defense sim, coming in 2026.

Routine 

A survival horror launching late 2025 on PC and Xbox.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7

Set in 2035, featuring campaign, multiplayer, and zombies modes.

Lords of the Fallen 2

Soulslike sequel coming in 2026.

Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight

Telltale’s narrative-driven Lego adventure, releasing in 2026.

Road Kings

Truck driving sim by Saber Interactive, coming 2026.

Monster Hunter Wilds x Final Fantasy XIV crossover

Launching in October.

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV

RTS sequel arriving in 2026.

Onimusha: Way of the Sword

Mythical samurai action, also 2026.

Arknights: Endfield

Free-to-play action RPG for multiple platforms.

Europa Universalis V

Grand strategy epic arrives November 4, 2025.

Fallout TV Show – Season 2

Teaser revealed Las Vegas as the setting. Launches on December 17, 2025.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle DLC: The Order of the Giants 

Drops on September 4, with a Switch 2 version set for 2026.

World of Tanks 2.0

Massive update lands on September 3.

Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion 

Releases September 5, with demo available now.

Sekiro: No Defeat (Anime Adaptation)

Streaming soon on Crunchyroll.

Final Thoughts

Gamescom 2025 Opening Night Live delivered a staggering lineup — from long-awaited sequels like Hollow Knight: Silksong and Ninja Gaiden 4 to unexpected revivals like Bubsy 4D and Outlaws. With expansions, remasters, and crossovers on the horizon, it’s clear that the next few years will be packed with experiences for every type of gamer.

With Gamescom 2025 just around the corner, renowned host Geoff Keighley has released a one-minute teaser trailer building anticipation for the highly awaited Opening Night Live showcase.

The trailer offers a glimpse at several blockbuster titles confirmed for the event, including:

• Resident Evil Requiem
• Call of Duty: Black Ops 7
• Ghost of Yotei
• Ninja Gaiden 4
• Silent Hill f
• And more yet-to-be-revealed major releases

More Than Just Games: TV and Music Take the Stage

In addition to exciting game reveals, viewers can expect updates from beyond the gaming world. The event will include:

• New details on Season 2 of the Fallout TV series
• A live musical performance featuring the soundtrack from Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Keighley’s Signature Touch

As with previous years, the teaser trailer was personally edited by Geoff Keighley, maintaining his hands-on approach to curating one of gaming’s biggest nights.

With a mix of AAA games, cross-media content, and live entertainment, Opening Night Live 2025 is shaping up to be an unmissable event for fans around the globe.

From August 20–24, 2025, Cologne, Germany will once again become the global capital of gaming as it hosts Gamescom, the world’s largest trade fair and festival for interactive entertainment. The excitement officially begins on August 19 with Geoff Keighley’s Opening Night Live, setting the stage for a week packed with premieres, demos, esports, cosplay, and industry networking. With record-breaking attendance expected, this edition promises to be the biggest and most ambitious yet.

Why Gamescom 2025 Matters

Whether you’re a gamer, developer, influencer, or media professional, Gamescom 2025 is the ultimate meeting point for the gaming community. Held at Koelnmesse, the event expands its exhibition zones, introduces exclusive hands-on demos, and transforms the entire city of Cologne into a festival atmosphere. Attendees can expect major announcements, immersive booth experiences, and vibrant after-hours events across the city.

Key Dates and Schedule

• August 19 – Opening Night Live: Hosted by Geoff Keighley with world premieres and headline announcements.
• August 20 – Media & trade day (1 p.m.–7 p.m.).
• August 21–22 – Public days (10 a.m.–8 p.m.).
• August 23–24 – Final weekend (9 a.m.–8 p.m.).

Tickets and Access

Gamescom offers a range of options: day tickets, family tickets, VIP fast-lane passes, and trade-visitor passes. Discounts are available for students and school pupils. Each entry ticket includes free public transport within the Rhine-Sieg (VRS) network. Trade passes cost around €60 per day or €130 for multi-day access, while hotel demand surges early—so advance booking is essential.

Travel and Accommodation

Cologne hotels book out months in advance, often at higher prices. Many attendees stay in surrounding cities such as Bonn, Siegburg, or Düsseldorf and commute via VRS trains, included with tickets. Shuttle services and extended public transport schedules will also support the massive crowds.

Exhibition Zones and Layout

The Koelnmesse halls are designed to improve visitor flow and reduce long queues. Highlights include:

• Entertainment Area – AAA titles, live tournaments, and big-stage demos.
• Indie Village – More than 150 indie studios presenting new projects.
• Retro Zone – Classic consoles and arcade nostalgia.
• Cosplay Village – Competitions, workshops, and expanded stages.
• Business Area – B2B networking with MeetToMatch.
• Hardware & VR Pavilion – Hands-on with the latest peripherals and headsets.
• Family & Education Zone – Kid-friendly programming and school projects.
• Merchandise & Marketplace – Collectibles, apparel, and indie goods.

Major Highlights and Reveals

Opening Night Live & Future Games Show

• ONL (Aug 19): Confirmed reveals include Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, with further announcements expected from Ubisoft and Capcom.
• Future Games Show (Aug 20): Hosted by Maggie Robertson and David Hayter, featuring 50+ premieres from publishers like EA, Bandai Namco, and Capcom.

Xbox at Gamescom

• Over 20 playable titles, including Hollow Knight: Silksong, Ninja Gaiden 4, The Outer Worlds 2, and Black Ops 7.
• Silksong gets its first public demo in six years, available on PC and Xbox’s brand-new handhelds.
• Xbox unveils the ROG Ally (€599) and Ally X (€899), featuring Ryzen AI chips, up to 24 GB RAM, SSD storage, and Thunderbolt support. Pre-orders open at Gamescom.

Other Big Publishers

• Bandai Namco – Little Nightmares III, The Blood of Dawnwalker, and Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree.
• Capcom – Monster Hunter Wilds hands-on, plus updates for Resident Evil.
• Krafton – inZOI expansions and the new tactical shooter PUBG: Blindspot.
• Ubisoft, EA, Konami, 2K, Nintendo – All confirmed, with rumors of Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, a Prince of Persia remake, and Nintendo surprises.

Industry and Networking

• MeetToMatch – Cologne Edition: A matchmaking platform for publishers, investors, and developers to arrange meetings in advance.
• Gamescom Congress (Aug 21): Talks from leading experts such as Celia Hodent, Y-Lan Boureau, and Jukka Laakso. Topics include games’ cultural, educational, and social impact, highlighting how the industry is shaping broader digital culture.

Cologne City Festival

Beyond the halls, the Cologne Game Festival fills the city with outdoor gaming screens, food trucks, live music, and esports bars. Visitors can enjoy the atmosphere even without expo tickets. After-parties spill into popular nightlife areas such as Zülpicher Straße, where informal gatherings and public celebrations continue late into the night.

Tips for Visitors

• Plan Ahead: Review hall maps, schedule your route, and prioritize must-see booths.
• Arrive Early: Popular demos such as Silksong or Xbox handhelds draw long lines.
• Pack Smart: Bring a backpack, comfortable shoes, water, and sanitizer.
• Save Money on Food: Onsite meals are pricey—pack snacks or eat outside the venue.
• Use Lockers: Storage options are available near entrances for extra convenience.

Why 2025 Will Be Historic

Last year, Gamescom attracted 335,000 visitors from 120 countries and over 1,400 exhibitors. For 2025, organizers expect an 11% increase in exhibitors and even larger attendance. With livestreams on Twitch, YouTube, and TikTok, the reach will extend to millions worldwide.

Gamescom is no longer just an expo—it’s a global platform for culture, technology, and innovation. From Silksong’s long-awaited debut to next-gen handheld gaming and groundbreaking indie projects, Gamescom 2025 is shaping up to be a defining event for the industry.

✅ For Attendees – Secure tickets and accommodation early, use MeetToMatch for networking, and prepare for long but rewarding days.

✅ For Remote Fans – Watch Opening Night Live (Aug 19) and the Future Games Show (Aug 20) for real-time reveals and announcements.

Gamescom 2025 isn’t just bigger—it’s smarter, bolder, and more influential. It’s where the future of gaming will be revealed.

For the third consecutive year, Ukrainian game creators will take their place alongside global industry leaders at Gamescom 2025, one of the world’s largest gaming expos. This impressive presence has been made possible thanks to the continued efforts of VG Entertainment, Burny Games, and the Games Gathering conference team.

The Ukrainian pavilion will showcase a diverse lineup of studios representing both established names and rising stars in game development:

🎮 Farom Studio

More than just a game developer, Farom Studio offers comprehensive outsourcing services—from conceptualizing game ideas to executing complex projects at AAA quality. Their flexibility and technical expertise make them a valuable partner for studios worldwide.

🌐 PlayToMax

With over 13 years in the industry, PlayToMax has built a reputation as an expert in HTML5 game development. The studio ports its titles across all major platforms and specializes in building high-performance playable ads, blending creative engagement with technical efficiency.

🏙️ AB Games

Best known for Hidden City, a hit title attracting over a million daily players globally, AB Games is a leader in casual adventure games. Hidden City has earned top-three rankings in the U.S. for profitability in its genre and led the logic game charts in Japan.

⚔️ Templar Order

This indie team is developing an ambitious ARPG titled Armageddonica, set in a dark fantasy world and enriched with army management elements. Founded by veterans with over 15 years of experience, the studio’s previous titles have reached more than 120 million players worldwide.

🚀 The Future Entertainment Company

A bold indie studio driven by creativity and innovation, The Future Entertainment Company focuses on delivering unique gameplay experiences that entertain while challenging players. Their passion for distinct design sets them apart in today’s crowded market.

☢️ GSC Game World

A cornerstone of Ukraine’s game development scene, GSC Game World is the legendary studio behind the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series—an atmospheric reimagining of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. With over 15 titles to their name and a massive global fanbase, GSC continues to make waves internationally. The recent sequel has already been praised as a symbol of Ukrainian digital diplomacy.

In addition to game developers, service providers like WMG International (adWMG) and Mobihunter will also be present, offering marketing and monetization solutions for mobile and online games.

📍 Where to Find Them:

The Ukrainian Pavilion at Gamescom 2025 will be open from August 20 to 24 at Koelnmesse, Hall 04.1, Business Area, Booth C-020g, in Cologne, Germany.

This year’s pavilion not only highlights the talent and resilience of Ukrainian developers but also underscores their growing role on the international stage.