Gamescom 2023 live coverage
Gamescom Opening Night Live is now wrapped, which means Gamescom starts good and proper. We'll be bringing you all the latest from the events happening all week during Gamescom 2023.
All the events
All that's going on can be found in our Gamescom 2023 schedule
You can check our schedule for everything that's happening this week, and follow our Gamescom 2023 coverage as it happens too.
There are quite a few events other than ONL happening this week, including our very own Future Games Show Gamescom showcase tomorrow at 11AM PT / 2PM ET / 7PM BST/ 8PM CEST. There's also a Cyberpunk stream, Destiny event, and other streams that we'll be keeping you abreast of here.
You can follow this Gamescom live blog all week, as we'll be bringing you news, updates, and previews both here from the home team and from our crew on the ground in Cologne.
Everything Announced at Opening Night Live
Starfield got a live-action trailer
Little Nightmares 3 has just been announced and it's like a creepy It Takes Two
Black Myth Wukong shows off a load of boss fights with serious Sekiro vibes
Age of Empires 4 is now on Xbox Game Pass
Zack Snyder's next movie is getting a video game tie-in from Netflix Games
Crimson Desert looks like Assassin's Creed meets Witcher
Payday 3 is getting an Ice T heist mission
Assassin's Creed Mirage drops a new trailer showing off its Arabic dub
Tekken 8 gets an official release date and new trailer at Opening Night Live
Modern Warfare 3 goes back to Verdansk to show off open-ended campaign mission
After 3 delays, Dragon Age veteran's Nightingale is finally set for Early Access in February 2024
Immortals of Aveum got a launch trailer
Genshin Impact dev's urban action RPG Zenless Zone Zero finally resurfaces with a new trailer
Honkai Star Rail PS5 technical test "recruitment" opens tomorrow
Cosmic horror Soulslike Lords of the Fallen gets gruesome extended story trailer
Sonic Superstars is coming October 17
The First Descendant looter shooter getting crossplay open beta in September
Under the Waves got a cinematic story trailer focusing on loss
Troy Baker, Roger Clark, Julia Brown presented the Fort Solis launch trailer
Expeditions: A MudRunner Game is coming and I can't wait to play more Death Stranding with cars
The Crew: Motorfest getting free gameplay trial at launch
Stormgate reveals Infernal Host faction and Chainsmokers collab
Last Epoch announces Rune Master class and September 7 launch date
Marvel Snap is on PC now
Armored Core 6 got a launch trailer
Warhaven is coming September 21
Mortal Kombat 1 revealed two new fighters and two new Kameos
Strategy game Ara: History Untold coming 2024
Diablo 4 Season 2 launches in October with 5 new endgame bosses
Thank Goodness You're Here is a new indie game classed as a "comedy slapformer"
Alan Wake 2 is blending live action with gameplay for the Dark Place
So yes, let's kick this all off shall we! In the lead up to ONL and the other Gamescom events, we'll be rounding up all the rumours and info that's out there.
Stick with me - Sam! - and let's give it a rundown shall we?
First up, let's talk about ONL itself. Gamescom: Opening Night Live is the show that kicks off Gamescom entirely. Geoff Keighley is our host, and he'll be running us through a show containing new trailers, gameplay reveals, dev and creator talks, and more.
Interestingly, Keighley himself has been keen to stress not to expect too many major reveals at ONL this year. Back on August 19, he tweeted that although there are "lots of great games on stage", the show is "primarily focused on announced titles".
"Like ONL in past years, this is not a show with surprise announcements or 'one more things'," he added.
We are excited for @gamescom ONL, streaming on Tuesday from Germany!Lots of great games on stage, primarily focused on announced titles - and there are so many. Like ONL in past years, this is not a show with surprise announcements or “one more things.”August 19, 2023
Keighley has also followed that up with a reminder today, saying that "much of tonight’s program has been pre-announced so you know what to expect".
Honestly, with the schedule for new games launching before the end of the year, I'm not sure the GR+ team - or our wallets - could cope with many more new games or release date reveals this side of the holidays.
Show day for @gamescom Opening Night Live.As a reminder, much of tonight’s program has been pre announced so you know what to expect. Lots of great games on stage, leading into a very busy few months for games!Hope you enjoy the show!August 22, 2023
By that he means that a lot of the games that will appear in tonight's ONL event have already been teased on Keighley's own Twitter feed (sorry, I'm not calling it X). They include a great number of highly-anticipated upcoming PS5 games, upcoming Xbox Series X games, and upcoming PC games.
Let's start with Alan Wake 2. We'll be getting a look at Alan Wake's side of the story later today, having learned more about Saga's perspective back at Summer Game Fest. Alan's been stuck in the Dark Place for 13 years, so it's going to be quite a different experience from Bright Falls.
You can read my Alan Wake 2 preview from back in June to learn more about this detective side of Remedy's next game.
Assassin's Creed Mirage is also going to be at ONL. All we know is that we're going to be offered a "new look" at the game, but any more specific details aren't being offered up. We got a hearty look at the game at Ubisoft's June press conference, and with the release date moved up to October 5, I'm kinda hoping we don't see too much today.
Black Myth Wukong is another sure fire for ONL later on. Again, nothing is know about what exactly is going to be shown tonight, but the game does look epic. First revealed back in 2020, it's set for a summer 2024 launch and IGN recently got the first hands-on preview of the game. Lucky devils.
We'll also be seeing fresh Crimson Desert gameplay. It's another game that's been pretty quiet since its original reveal back in 2020, so I'm definitely excited to see more of this medieval fantasy action-RPG.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 only just got revealed and we're going to get more of it later today. At ONL we're getting the world gameplay premiere for the next Call of Duty game, which is always a visually impressive treat.
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty is also on the ONL docket. We'll be getting a brand new gameplay trailer for the highly anticipated DLC.
Interestingly, developer CD Projekt Red is also hosting a REDStream for the game on Thursday, August 24 at 7AM PT / 10AM ET / 3PM BST / 4PM CEST. Here we due to see the developers "discuss several features that come with the next major update and the Phantom Liberty expansion! Gameplay included."
It's a huge week for Cyberpunk fans!
Lords of the Fallen is getting a new story trailer later on too. It's due to drop on October 13, so we're not far away now!
This just in from Heather, Josh, and Jasmine who have headed over to Gamescom for GamesRadar+! They made it folks!
Shifting tack entirely from the last few games we've talked about, Sonic Superstars is also getting a slot in ONL. We're hoping that we'll get a release date for this stunning-looking adventure, with the rumors suggesting it's somewhere around the Super Mario Wonder date of October 20.
Like I said, I don't think we need anymore game releases that week to be quite honest... But the Blue Blur gotta blue.
Zenless Zone Zero is also making an appearance. The game's been pretty quiet, and we still don't have an idea of the release date, so perhaps that's what we'll see today.
Mortal Kombat 1 is also confirmed for ONL, and Ed Boon has confirmed that there's going to be a gameplay trailer and a reveal of two more fighters and two more Kameos.
Opening Night Live at @gamescom is going to be a fun one for #MortalKombat1Our new GamePlay trailer revealing TWO more fighters & TWO more Kameos will debut. The show starts streaming Tuesday 8pm CET7pm BST2pm ET11am PTpic.twitter.com/XHosRK8YU1August 20, 2023
Geoff's teasing us now
Time to head to a dark place 🔦 pic.twitter.com/KqrE1aZYFJAugust 22, 2023
And here he is earlier with a lil' video just re-re-re-affirming the lack of big surprises
At @gamescom rehearsal! https://t.co/ODrQcj1QM6August 22, 2023
Tekken 8 is also going to be at ONL - again no word on what with though. But the main man Katsuhiro Harada is in attendance.
I'll be at @gamescom Opening Night Live! Don't miss it!Watch live at 8 CET/7p BST/2p ET/11a PT at https://t.co/qGtkhOFw2O#gamescom2023 @geoffkeighley #TEKKEN8 https://t.co/dVVS7Qo5kzAugust 21, 2023
GR+'s Heather is currently in the queue for ONL and has been 100% BRANDED folks
Keighley's actually confirmed another game appearing this evening and that's Nightingale. We'll be getting a brand new trailer for the game there, before the public attending Gamescom will be able to play it for themselves.
Oh, in case you're not dialled in - there's a Destiny 2 event happening right now.
The Final Shape — a nightmarish calcification of reality into the Witness's twisted design.Embark on a perilous journey into the heart of the Traveler, rally the Vanguard, and end the War of Light and Darkness.Become Legend // February 27, 2024.🔺 https://t.co/RkESfDVi0U pic.twitter.com/ae1mNvq8x4August 22, 2023
Aaaaaaaaaaaand the Tekken 8 release date just leaked ahead of its showing in ONL!
Let's try that again shall we - no-one saw that last post right? Here's the trailer the Season of the Witch
Just a reminder of timings for later:
OPENING NIGHT LIVE PRE-SHOW
10.30AM PT / 1.30PM ET / 6.30PM BST / 7.30PM CEST
OPENING NIGHT LIVE (ONL)
11AM PT / 2PM ET / 7PM BST/ 8PM CEST
Watch them both on:
I tell you what the Gamescom FOMO is real seeing some of these booths
Yo, Intern here, wanted to give you a sneak peek.Don't tell my Boss. 🤫Pretty fancy out here, I can tell you that much.And the merch... sheesh.#gamescom2023 pic.twitter.com/jIn9vzdv0CAugust 22, 2023
Pre-show should be starting in about 15-20 mins
ONL rep Heather is seated and ready to go!
YouTube stream is here if you'd like to join me
The pre-show starts now folks! I wonder what this will be compared to the main show?
So this guy just vibing in his living room then eh? Could have tidied up a bit Kyle
Trailer for Streets of Rogue 2 up first!
I love the cute GTA vibes to this.
Trailer for hack 'n' slash Mandragona now. Pretty stylish!
It's okay Geoff, we get it. No surprises.
Bulletstorm VR? Oh hello
New trailer for fairytale farming sim Fae Farm too.
I'm going to spare you how cringe the inbetween segments are of this pre-show. I just can't do it to you.
New trailer for The 7th Guest VR here - it's a remake of an old FMV where they're doing cool things with live action camera stuff work in VR.
Another spooky-ass game trailer to give me nightmares. This one is for Post Trauma, coming Spring 2024.
There was also promise of a cat. There is no cat yet.
Here's that Streets of Rogue 2 trailer btw! Look how cool
A new trailer for Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Realms of Ruin - aka the game with the longest name. And a good-looking RTS too.
This is Delta Force apparently - I must admit I missed the opening gambit.
Homeworld 3 looks badass.
Geoff, I'll give it to you, you look snazzy
We're kicking off with a performance of some of the Starfield music from composer Inon Zur, performed live on piano!
Heather had a pretty good view for that one
Is it me, or are live action trailers a bit... lame?
OMG STAGE CRASHERS
I can't believe that happened again!
Phew, let's lighten the mood with Todd Howard from Bethesda Game Studios!
A look at some of the characters you'll discover in Starfield now.
Including some very strong mustaches.
Gamescom Starfield demo is showing off the opening of the game apparently.
Starfield opening:
Starts with mining, and then character creation, before you join Constellation.
Geoff said there were no surprises. And YET
Bandai Namco up now with the third entry in a series from Supermassive Games.
OMG Is it Little Nightmares 3?
That certainly looks like Six in her little yellow raincoat behind that beaky mask.
Oh yes, Little Nightmares 3! Coming 2024.
There's online and local co-op, and there's even a Little Nightmares podcast coming too.
Black Myth Wukong up next!
Brand new look at gameplay for this action RPG from Action Science.
The music skills on this headless man. Impressive.
Oh wow, looks like you're going to battling some huge-ass foes in this. I'm seeing scorpian guys, tiger guys, bull-headed guys, and even bug-headed ones. But they're all massive.
That genuinely looked amazing. But also bet it's super hard!
Body horror happening now with head drilling, chests being ripped open and some poor chap having various bits of his body replaced. It's Killing Floor 3 though!
Black Myth Wukong screenshots for you!
Reminder that Age of Empires 4 is coming to Game Pass today on Xbox!
Zack Synder here now to talk about Rebel Moon, which is coming soon to Netflix (December 22 officially).
There's a Rebel Moon video game coming too, which will tell the story after the two movies. Being made by Super Evil Megacorp.
Here's the first trailer for Part 1 and Part 2 of Rebel Moon.
Looks pretty epic, doesn't it?
Part 1 coming December 22, Part 2 coming April 19, 2024.
Crimson Desert from Pearl Abyss coming now with a gameplay update trailer.
Oooh you can ride a little horsey in Crimson Desert.
This game looks huge. You can carry sheep!
I'm getting serious Assassin's Creed / Witcher vibes from this.
You can pat the dog and carry cats also.
Ice T has a special mission in PayDay 3? Well that's unexpected.
Sorry, a special heist mission specifically.
That looked good, but honestly so hyped for Crimson Desert 3.
Speaking of Assassin's, here comes Assassin's Creed Mirage.
Seems to be a story trailer - loving the fact all the voice acting is in Arabic here.
Reminder that this game recently got its release date pulled forward to October 5.
Some trailers for you:
Crimson Desert:
Assassin's Creed Mirage:
Tekken 8 here now
Tekken 8 will have 32 unique fighters!
Also showing off a new mode - a story mode that focuses on you as a player.
Sledgehammer Games here now to talk about Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.
New innovation in the campaign - Open Combat Missions.
Player directed, allows you to play as you want. You can go in stealthy and complete the objectives without the enemy every knowing you were there. But can also go in full blast with everything you've got.
Still epic cinematic missions.
Here we go, it's Modern Warfare 3 gameplay time.
It's starting off underwater with a submarine, stealthily approaching a huge fort.
Operation 627 in the Kostovian Sea - modern day timing.
Call of Duty is always so so pretty.
As someone who loves Call of Duty campaigns and All Ghillied Up specifically as a standout mission, this looks right up my street. All stealth and subterfuge before going all out weapons free.
Ooooh nice use of complete darkness with muzzle flashes there, before switching to night-vision goggles.
The opening of the original MW2 was a gulag rescue to get Price. I wonder if this is leading to another surprise return?
Nightingale up now and we're getting the Early Access release date.
February 22, 2024 for Early Access!
Granblue Fantasy Relink launches Feb 1 2024.
Immortals of Aveum launch trailer there now - comes out today!
Zenless Zone Zero developer here now and we've got a trailer showing off the urban environments and some of the dynamics of the game.
Oh wow, this is literally a look at the urban environments ha. No lies detected.
Little mini-games you can play at some kind of arcade?
Update on Honkai Star Rail's PS5 release now.
Was that technical test happening tomorrow?! For Honkai on PS5? That was one hella quick flash frame.
"PS5 technical test recruitment will start at 8/23 at 10am UTC+8"
Brand new story trailer for Lords of the Fallen now
Sonic Superstars providing quite the contrast from Lords of the Fallen here.
There's that all important release date - October 17. Oh no, another game in October. SOB.
Final free update for Sonic Frontiers coming September 28 too.
Inspiring cosplayers here now to talk about the Gamescom scene.
Lords of the Fallen trailer here:
The First Descendant trailer now - a new looter shooter from Nexon.
Quantic Dream published game up now - guessing this is Under the Waves.
Game's actually out on Monday! Looking forward to sobbing in my little submarine in that game about loss.
Little Game Pass highlights real happening now. Lots of good games coming.
Fort Solis crew up now - voice actors Troy Baker, Roger Clark and Julia Brown. The game is out today.
Made by 10 people over two years with no delays.
Launch trailer for Fort Solis dropping! Review embargo lifted a little over an hour ago, and sadly the scores ain't great.
Expeditions: A Mudrunner game coming in 2024.
From trucks to speedy sportscars now
It's The Crew Motorfest and this is a cover car reveal. Free trial offering 5 hours of gameplay coming.
Oh hello Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty.
Time to go down to Dogtown!
Outlining a lot of new perks here that are dropping with the DLC. New vehicles too.
Police are getting revamped, so that's going to put a dampener on those shiny new cars isn't it.
A lot of that also coming to the base game as Update 2.0 for free too.
Stormgate up now with a new faction called the Chainsmokers.
Sorry there folks, my entire Chrome froze!! That was the Last Epoch
Marvel Snap is on PC now too!
Armored Core 6 trailer now ahead of its release on Friday.
Warhaven trailer revealing a September 21 release date.
Ed Boon on stage now with Mortal Kombat 1.
"Probably the craziest trailer of all" coming for MK1 now.
Boon wasn't wrong, this is a badass trailer
We've got this new era's version of Shao, Sindel, and Motaro.
Oh that's a throat crush. OOFT
Once again showing a heavy emphasis on the story of Mortal Kombat 1 and how classic characters fit in. Notably, Raiden and Liu Kang have effectively swapped places.
Hair in the arm sockets there. Ooft. OOFT.
Nice trailer there for Ara: History Untold, which is dropping in 2024.
Diablo 4 Season 2 trailer now!
Diablo 4 Season of Blood will feature five new bosses.
Diablo 4 Season 2 coming in October. Gemma Chan voicing a new character!
trailer here friends
Dustborn up now! Fun fact, this was originally revealed at our very own Future Games Show.
Coming early 2024.
Yay! Sam Lake is here to talk Alan Wake 2 and take us to the Dark Place.
The Dark Place is a dream reality and keeps drawing from Alan's mind - his dreams, his fears, his reality. The Dark Place takes the form of a nightmarish New York City because that's where Wake's books are set.
Live action blended seamlessly into the Dark Place.
Wake has a double?!
This looks like the most Remedy game of all time.
I also missed covering a fun-looking indie game back there called Thank Goodness You're Here. Look at this trailer:
And that's a wrap! Opening Night Live is over!
Let's do a bit of a round-up up top shall we?
Stay tuned for more coverage from Gamescom 2023 tomorrow from GamesRadar+.