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Gamescom Preview

The largest video game event in Europe is coming up and we've tallied up what we know.

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Barely have we settled down after E3 when it's time to look towards Gamescom and Cologne for more video game announcement, lofty promises, startling revelations and well... the future.

Gamescom Preview

Gamescom week in Cologne really encompasses all of gaming. It hosts GDC Europe (a smaller and more intimate version of San Francisco's massive conference), part plays out on the streets of Cologne, parts play out in hotels near the convention, and most importantly the public are invited to fill the halls from Thursday until the show closes on Sunday. There are press conferences (Sony and Microsoft) on Tuesday and Wednesday is dedicated to trade visitors and holders of VIP passes. In fact, if you ever plan on visiting the German expo we'd suggest investing in a VIP pass and heading there Wednesday as the other days (Saturday in particular) are crowded to a point where most of your day will be spent in lines whether it's to play a game or get something to drink.

None of the big players stay away from Gamescom this year - Nintendo, Microsoft, Sony, EA, Activision, Warner Bros., Ubisoft - and many others. When compared to E3, Gamescom is a better representation of the global industry as a whole. Where free-to-play, e-sports and browser games are underrepresented in Los Angeles they are featured much more prominently in Cologne. It's a reflection of the European and perhaps even more so the German market, but it's also a result of Gamescom being a public event rather than a closed off trade show.

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So what highlights can be expect from the show? Sony typically have the most announcements and Gamescom is where they let SCEE shine. There is evidence building that Media Molecule may show off their PS4 project at the show, but we expect other fresh reveals and given the lack of focus on Vita at E3 we expect Sony to make an announcement or two for Vita. Then there's PlayStation TV and PlayStation Now - if Sony have gotten their act together in Europe with regards to the latter it should feature at the press conference. There has been murmurs building around games like Unfinished Swan and Journey making the jump to PS4 and PS Vita - that's also something we expect. Oh, and we expect more from No Man's Sky - possibly a peek at multiplayer.

Microsoft haven't always focused on Gamescom, but this year they're hosting a press conference ahead of Sony's and already prior to E3 they revealed that this is where Quantum Break will get its proper gameplay showcase. While Xbox One is out in Germany, it's not officially released in many neighbouring countries. We expect Microsoft to make FIFA 15 and Sunset Overdrive bundles official. The latter will likely get plenty of stage time. Should we expect any major announcements then? Probably. And likely there will be a few new indie titles featured.

Gamescom Preview

Nintendo typically have a very local presence in Cologne. We don't really expect any major announcements out of them as there is no dedicated press event (as far as we know). Still they'll be there showcasing upcoming titles like Super Smash Bros., Hyrule Warriors, Bayonetta 2 and more.

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EA have scaled down their press event a little, or rather moved it from Tuesday and an off-site location to their booth as the show opens Wednesday. Given the teaser for Bioware's next game "You've Been Chosen" (the rumoured actual title is Shadow Realms) we fully expect that game to be revealed at the press conference. If it wasn't for the recent delay we would have expected the single player of Battlefield: Hardline to be there as well. Perhaps focus will shift more towards FIFA 15, Dragon Age: Inquisition and The Sims 4 as it stands. Could we see something from Star Wars: Battlefront? Possibly. Or the new Mirror's Edge. Maybe. Then again if a new Bioware title is indeed revealed that's plenty.

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Activision are poised to show the multiplayer of Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare. And as Ubisoft don't have a proper press event we don't expect any major new announcements, but perhaps something smaller in the digital space will debut.

We fully expect local developers and publishers to make announcements mainly focused on the home market. Deep Silver seem to double down on the Dead Island franchise (Homefront: The Revolution won't be in Cologne), while Daedalic Entertainment have a handful of new adventure games as well as the sequel to Blackguards at the show.

Gamescom Preview

Wargaming will premiere a demo version of World of Warships and Paradox Interactive will make a new announcement in addition to showing off Magicka 2 properly for the first time after a brief glimpse at Sony's press conference at E3. Naturally there will be a ton of smaller announcements and new games shown as well - so make sure you tune into Gamereactor from August 11 and onwards for all the major announcements, news, interviews and impressions.



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