Gamescom line-up includes Xbox, Ubisoft, Tencent, 2K Games, and more
Organisers confirm over 500 companies are registered so far ahead of August return for world's biggest games show
The organisers of Gamescom have announced this year's line-up, with major names like Xbox, Ubisoft, and 2K Games returning to Cologne.
The event is set to run from Tuesday, August 23 to Sunday, August 28 at the city's Koelnmesse, marking the first time the world's biggest games show has been held at a physical location since 2019.
There will still be digital elements, including a livestream of its Opening Night Live showcase, for those unable to travel to Germany.
Both Nintendo and PlayStation have previously announced they will not be attending, and Gamescom has confirmed to GamesIndustry.biz that Electronic Arts will also be absent.
However, there are still plenty of key names in the final line-up, with Xbox announcing its return to Cologne this morning and several AAA publishers -- including Ubisoft, Warner Bros, Sega, 2K Games and Bandai Namco -- heading to the halls of Koelnmesse in August.
Four companies are also making their Gamescom debut this year: PUBG developer and publisher Krafton, Tencent's new publishing label Level Infinite, and Genshin Impact firm HoYoverse (also known as MiHoYo), and indie publisher Humble Games.
Meanwhile, Raw Fury, NetEase Games and Neowiz are establishing their own booth in the entertainment area for the first time, having previously exhibited with partners or as part of a group.
While they're not exhibiting, some notable games firms will still be attending in the merchandise area, including Blizzard, Konami and Square Enix.
The full line-up of exhibitors includes:
- 2K Games
- 505 Games
- Aerosoft
- Amazon Web Services
- AMD
- Assemble Entertainment
- Astragon Entertainment
- Bandai Namco
- BenQ
- Daedalic Entertainment
- ESL Gaming
- Giants Software
- HandyGames
- HoYoverse
- Humble Games
- HyperX
- Kalypso Media Group
- Koch Media
- Krafton
- Level Infinite (Tencent)
- Medion
- Neowiz
- NetEase Games
- Pico Interactive
- Raw Fury
- Razer
- Samsung
- Sega Europe
- SteelSeries
- TaleWorlds Entertainment
- Team17
- THQ Nordic
- Thunderful
- TikTok
- Ubisoft
- Warner Bros Games
- Western Digital
- Xbox
- Xsolla
In total, more than 500 companies have registered for Gamescom -- a figure that has doubled since mid-May and is expected to continue growing in the run up to the show.
"Together with the community and the exhibitors, we are really looking forward to the end of August, when we can finally experience the unique Gamescom atmosphere live on site in Cologne," said Felix Falk, managing director of German trade body Game and co-organiser of Gamescom.
"However, it is also clear that while several areas such as the indie area, merchandise area or event arena will be larger and more diverse than ever before, some important partners will also be missing, while other exhibitors will be on site for the first time.
"This shows: the long-term effects of the Corona pandemic are not leaving the games industry unscathed. Delayed game developments, increased costs and uncertainties about international travel are just three reasons why some games companies will not be able to be represented in Cologne again this year. But that doesn't change the fact that Gamescom will once again be an absolute highlight and an unforgettable experience awaits visitors."
Earlier this year, we spoke to Falk about Gamescom's goal to become the first 'climate friendly' games expo.