Source: AFP
Hundreds of thousands of video game fans and industry figures are converging on Wednesday in Cologne, Germany for the industry’s largest trade show.
Gamescom got off to a late start on Tuesday with the surprise announcement of a new version of the “Borderlands” franchise coming next year, as well as more details on the next “Call of Duty.”
Industry heavyweights Microsoft and China’s Tencent are both in the show, but Japanese giants Sony and Nintendo are staying away — no reason has been given for their absence.
The event comes at a difficult time for an industry worth about $180 billion (€160 billion) a year, according to data from analyst Newzoo.
Sales are far from pandemic peaks, smaller studios are struggling to survive and major publishers are imposing dramatic cost-cutting exercises with thousands of workers laid off.
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“Conspiracy that solves the mind”
But that didn’t dampen the excitement on an opening night with plenty of surprise announcements.
“Borderlands 4, really, I didn’t expect it,” said German biologist Sarah Nobbe, one of more than 5,000 in the arena on Tuesday.
The game’s producers have promised that players will “smash their way through hordes of enemies” in the latest installment of Borderlands, a franchise adapted for film this year.
The creators of “Call of Duty: Black Ops 6” took to the stage to promise “blockbuster action” in a game set in the early 90s — “a time of global turmoil and uncertainty.”
“You will unravel a shocking conspiracy,” said developer Jon Zuk, with the game scheduled for release on October 25.
Microsoft, hoping to steal a leg up on its competitors, has teased details about “Indiana Jones and the Great Circle,” published by its Bethesda subsidiary and slated for a Dec. 9 release.
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However, the game makers have announced after a period of exclusivity on Microsoft’s Xbox and PC that it will be available on Sony’s PlayStation next year.
While many other games are available on all consoles, Indiana Jones is the biggest to launch this way since Microsoft announced a change of strategy in February.
Analysts say publishers can no longer afford to bundle games on a single platform as console sales fall and competition for gamers increases.
‘Love letter’
The inaugural event also expanded its scope to include streaming and movie news, with Tim Miller, director of the 2016 superhero film “Deadpool,” announcing a new anthology series on Amazon Prime in December.
He told the audience that “Secret Level” will feature 15 episodes based on video games, including “Pac-Man” and “Sifu.”
“It’s our love letter to gaming,” Miller said, choking back tears.
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The announcements set the stage for the show, which opens to the public Thursday through Sunday after a day reserved for industry insiders.
Organizers expect more than 350,000 visitors.
Source: AFP
