Already severely criticised in the run-up due to a lack of exhibitors and attractions, Gamescom 2023 has now turned into an attractive event according to the exhibitor lists, theme panels and areas covered. Click here for the Gamescom 2023 guide.

Is such a trade fair still worthwhile? And for whom? Sony Playstation will not be there (as it was last year), some big names are still playing coy with acceptances or cancellations, so what can we expect from Gamescom 2023?

Gamescom is worthwhile!

Gamescom is the largest games fair in the world and is basically worthwhile for anyone who loves digital games, earns their money with games or is looking for contacts in the gaming industry. Companies and start-ups looking for inspiration and digital concepts for their own business are also in the right place here. Because where the games are, there is always the forefront in these topics.

If, in individual cases, one’s own investment is examined and found to be too high, this is usually due to the size of one’s own plans and the pricing policy of Koelnmesse and the service providers, who were badly hit during the Corona years and afterwards and now have to recoup a lot in order to survive. Some industry giants, whose brands are already part of every household, are thinking of their own PR and community events, where they can determine all the rules and themes themselves.

Xbox before Playstation

But this way of thinking is not really “for the players”, i.e. for the large community. That’s why Microsoft is now taking advantage of its main competitor Sony’s absence and is stepping on the gas with its Xbox and freshly launched digital distribution products. Also on board: flagship developer and community darling Bethesda, which, as a relatively fresh new acquisition, is throwing credibility and fan love onto the big green X in a way that very few other game brands would manage. And maybe, just maybe, Activision Blizzard will agree after all and, after the first “yes” to the merger with Microsoft from the USA, will also appear somewhere in the vicinity of the bustling gaming giant.

Full programme for business: the exhibitor list fills up

Beyond all speculation, the line-up of the fair with attractions such as Nintendo, Microsoft, Bethesda, Sega, Bandai Namco, Tencent, Giants Software, Plaion (ex-Kochmedia), Focus, Astragon and many others can be described as successful at this point in time, almost exactly five weeks before the official kick-off. And then there is the Creative World Hall 10.2, where with Indie Arena Booth / Indie Area / Home of Indies over 200 independent studios and developers present their concepts and products. For many in the business sector, the docked areas from ESport, social media, streaming, influencer marketing, hardware or automotive are also of particular interest. With Netflix, TikTok, Disney+, Mini, ESL, Crunchyroll and Rocketbeans, to name but a few, we are also well positioned here. Since we don’t expect the final official exhibitor list (also for tactical reasons of advance ticket sales) until the beginning of August:

Here is the link to the constantly updated (in)official exhibitor list of the always well-informed colleagues from the industry service Gameswirtschaft.