Video game conference Gamescom 2024 has set new records for number of exhibitors and visitors expanding the reach of the event. The event amassed over 335,000 visitors from around 120 countries. The number of trade visitors was around 32,000 with North America and Japan displaying the largest increases.
The tickets for Friday 23 August and Saturday 24 August were completely sold out. The Gamescom awards show was held on 23 August with games like Capcom’s Monster Hunter Wilds, and Bandai Namco’s Little Nightmares 3 winning the most awards. The event was also live-streamed on YouTube.
Online viewership for the show program recorded an all-time high, with over 310 million video views recorded by Saturday evening alone. The Gamescom Opening Night Live (ONL) stream racked up over 40 million video views –double that of the previous year (20 million). This year’s numbers significantly exceeded the previous record, as the event’s 2023 edition recorded 320,000 visitors, 31,000 trade visitors and over 180 million video views including the year’s ONL stream.
Another highlight for the community was the event’s Epix community adventure with the new digital Gamescom trading cards. A total of 2.5 million page views were registered by Saturday evening. The Epix community adventure is a gamified campaign for exhibitors at the event that lets players solve quests and earn rewards. The campaign is an interactive community adventure that can be played online or at the event in Cologne, Germany. Players for a robot named EPI on adventures through the gamescomVerse, helping EPI uncover secrets by completing quests, gathering clues and solving puzzles. This year of the campaign included seven new chapters with over 100 quests and new digital trading cards as a reward. Other rewards included in-game items, game DLCs (downloadable content) and event merchandise.
Koelnmesse president and CEO Gerald Böse shared, “Surpassing last year’s figures with record-breaking digital engagement and a rise in on-site visitors, Gamescom, Koelnmesse and the game association unite gaming fans worldwide through their shared passion, driving innovation and partnerships in the gaming industry in a way no other event has ever done before.”
Game – The German Games Industry Association managing director Felix Falk stated, “The surge in international participation across multiple sectors firmly establishes Gamescom as one of the most renowned global event brands for years to come. This week has once again underscored the tremendous societal, cultural and technological impact of games, and why countries worldwide are eagerly vying to become the top destination for the gaming industry. Games are the gateway to the future.”
Around 80,000 people gathered in downtown Cologne for an unforgettable festival on 24 and 25 August. The festival included various music events from German bands like Blond, Donots, Veedelperlen and Das Lumpenpack among others.
Gamescom Asia will also take place this year from 17-20 October at the Suntec Singapore convention & exhibition centre. The event will serve as a platform for Southeast Asian game developers to explore collaborations and expand their reach globally. The event will also feature hands-on game demos, stage activities, cosplay and more.
Gamescom 2025 will take place from 20 to 24 August. The event will kick off on 19 August 2025 with the Opening Night Live.