Felix Falk, Managing Director of game - Association of the German Games Industry: "Finally it's that time again: gamescom starts online and also again on site in Cologne. After more than two years in which the community and games industry were able to meet and exchange ideas almost exclusively online, gamescom is bringing back the much-loved festival feeling. As one of the first international events of this size, gamescom is once again an international beacon in these challenging times. We are looking forward to a week full of highlights, starting with the developer conference devcom, to our shows like the gamescom: Opening Night Live, to the diverse program of the event arena or the biggest indie area ever at gamescom. And thanks to gamescom goes green, more climate-friendly than ever before."

Diverse public program on the event grounds

The gamescom program offers many highlights this year. These include the particularly popular shows such as gamescom: Opening Night Live, where the worldwide community is already looking forward to exciting announcements and news, or gamescom: Awesome Indies with the most interesting new games from the worldwide indie studios. These and all other gamescom shows such as the gamescom studio or the live streams from partners will be shown on gamescom now, the gamescom content hub for all fans worldwide. This also includes the diverse program of the event arena, where, among other things, a heavy metal concert and a mobile esports tournament will take place. In addition to the booths of numerous exhibitors in the entertainment area, the various areas are also an integral part of gamescom again this year. Here visitors can be entertained and inspired according to their own preferences.

The retro area invites you on a journey through 50 years of video games. A wide variety of consoles, pinball machines and other machines can be tried out. The stage program attracts with small tournaments, quiz rounds, films, lectures, interviews and live music from artists like Endgegner, MULTIPLAYER and Vault Kid. Guests will also include the legendary Studio Factor 5 ("Turrican"), composer Chris Huelsbeck and Commodore veteran Petro Tyschtschenko.

The merchandise area powered by MINI will once again offer everything a nerd's heart desires in 2022. Here, fans will find everything they want in terms of fan merchandise, accessories and goodies for the most exciting new games and classics. Exhibitors here include: ak tronic, Blizzard Gear Store, E.M.P. Merchandising, Konami Digital Entertainment, MINI and Square Enix.

In the indie area, more games from independent developers than ever before will be available for visitors to play in 2022. Indie studios from all over the world will be presenting their innovative and creative titles at various group stands, such as the Indie Arena Booth. Visitors who cannot be on site are invited to discover the Indie Arena Booth Online as a mini-game live with their own avatar at gamescom now.

The passion for games is something that all age groups share - the family &friends powered by LEGO area will also be a popular meeting place for all ages in 2022 and a forum where visitors can discover and learn about new technologies through play.

At the gamescom campus, interested visitors can find out about career and training opportunities in the games industry.

Numerous other indoor and outdoor offerings complement the areas. At the gamescom beach club powered by bigFM, visitors can not only relax, but also enjoy the culinary offerings of various food trucks and a variety of DJ performances. Red Bull will once again open the Gaming Ground in the outdoor area, where various games can be played. At the rc drift games powered by Embark Studios, visitors can expect exciting drift shows on a scale of 1:10.

gamescom city festival also provides entertainment in Cologne city center

The gamescom week traditionally ends with a Cologne highlight: the gamescom city festival in downtown Cologne. And this year, numerous music acts will once again provide a festival feeling in the middle of Cologne from August 26 to 28. National and international artists such as Zoe Wees, Schmyt and Elif will perform on Rudolfplatz and Hohenzollernring. A varied culinary offering with a mix of local and international specialties rounds out the offerings.

Exciting online and offline scavenger hunt with gamescom EPIX

The community campaign gamescom EPIX involves fans even more before and during the event and additionally increases anticipation for gamescom. The campaign started on August 1 with many new features. Individual quests, leaderboards and profile personalization have already attracted tens of thousands of fans to interact with gamescom content. During the event, gamescom EPIX will then also come to the halls, where quests can be solved by scanning hidden QR codes, among other things.

More climate-friendly than ever before with gamescom goes green

With the initiative "gamescom goes green", gamescom 2022 is one of the first major events worldwide with a comprehensive climate protection concept. The core event with all areas for which Koelnmesse and the games association are responsible (including trade fair center infrastructure, themed areas, personnel and mobility) is already climate-neutral in cooperation with ClimatePartner. Exhibitors are also invited to make a climate protection contribution for their gamescom presence, which will also benefit certified climate protection projects. Finally, visitors can make a voluntary climate protection contribution for the gamescom forest near Bayreuth, which was launched in 2020 and has already grown to over 20,000m², by making a donation or purchasing a "green ticket". The gamescom forest is currently growing particularly strongly thanks to a special donation of 10,000 euros by McDonald's Germany even before the start of gamescom. Numerous other measures such as free public transport tickets or more meat-free catering options complement the overall "gamescom goes green" project.