Gamescom 2025 - Records, highlights & a little frustration

With over 357,000 visitors, international exhibitors and industry giants from all over the world, the event showed just how vibrant gaming culture is - but there were also downsides.

Visitor record & global presence

This year, 357,000 gamers and trade visitors came to Cologne - significantly more than in 2024 (335,000) and almost reaching the pre-pandemic record of 2019 (373,000). Over 34,000 trade visitors and 1,568 exhibitors from 72 countries made Gamescom an international hotspot for the industry. The exhibition space grew to 233,000 m² - and for Germany, Cologne and German developers, this was pure momentum.

Gamescom Congress: More than gaming

The Gamescom Congress, which sheds light on the social and political aspects of gaming, also ran smoothly. More than 1,000 participants and 180 experts discussed gaming as an instrument for education, health, the environment and political participation and presented Cologne as a leading location for innovation.

Spectacular announcements & indie gems

You could see some of the biggest highlights:

• Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Ghost of Yōtei (Sucker Punch), Resident Evil Requiem, Hollow Knight: Silksong (with special announcement)

• Surprises such as Heat (Wargaming) and Death By Scrolling (Ron Gilbert)

• Returning games such as World of Warcraft: Midnight, Cult of the Lamb - Woolhaven and Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines 2

• Indie gems such as Herdling & cultural crossovers with KPop Demon Hunters in Animal Crossing

• The Guardian

Criticism & disappointments from the community

Not everything went smoothly. Many visitors complained:

• High prices - especially for food, drinks or parking (around €20)

• Overcrowded halls, long queues and sometimes inadequate signage - for example for access routes to trailers

These points of criticism led to heated discussions in forums.

Conclusion - success and potential for optimization

Gamescom 2025 was a triumph - you were right in the middle of a trade fair that presented gaming as a global culture and economic force. The mix of blockbuster showcases, socio-political discourse and indie diversity was impressive.

Nevertheless, the criticism from many visitors shows that there is still room for improvement. For the future: better logistics, more moderate prices and a relaxed visitor experience.