gamescom 2020 will be going fully digital, with new shows, an expanded gamescom and digital devcom also in the works. The digital content hub of gamescom 2020 will be greatly expanded, touting itself as the first go-to source for all content and news. There will be new formats in the gamescom: Indie Show, and gamescom: Best of Show, wide-ranging B2B programs at the digital devcom, and will be taking place from 27 to 30 August.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event cannot be held on location in Cologne, hence the expansion of digital platforms and formats. gamescom 2020 will be based on the following four pillars:

Find the gamescom: Opening Night Live, among all of gamescom’s shows, to be on the content hub. The central portal will have different areas for content creators, esports, cosplay, indies and merchandise, all without the need of a ticket!

Watch Geoff Keighley, kick off gamescom with the Opening Night Live on 27 August. Awesome Indies will be an all-new format this year, with announcements and news on the most anticipated indie titles. gamescom: Daily Show is also new, talking about and expanding on the highlights of its own formats, as well as shows and promotions of gaming companies and partners on a daily basis. gamescom studio will see top developers interviewed and providing background information on the latest developments. To close off gamescom 2020 will be the gamescom: Best of Show on 30 August, with a summary of the year’s highlights and presentation of the gamescom award.

Meanwhile, devcom digital conference 2020 will be talking place from 17 to 30 August, with a broad program ready for trade visitors with lots of talks and plenty of matchmaking. devcom will also offer a varied program of talks, shows or master classes for game developers all year round in the future. Details can be found on the website.

With gamescom 2020 now digital, they will be working together with their many official partners holding their own events and promotions, to be picked up at gamescom now and gamescom’s show formats.

“This year, all our energies for gamescom 2020 is going into digital. In a short amount of time and working in close tandem with some of the world’s most important gaming companies on the gamescom advisory board, we have been able to develop a powerful and focused concept for gamescom 2020. We are anticipating surprising shows, numerous world premieres, announcements and special promotions that will set the entire games world all abuzz about gamescom at the end of August.”

Felix Falk, Managing director of game

“Although gamescom will unfortunately not take place in Cologne this year, it will be impossible to miss it on the internet. Our digital concept is showing the way forward in the event landscape and many of the innovations will become an integral part of gamescom in the years to come. And even if all the elements of gamescom cannot be transferred to the digital world, one thing is already certain: gamescom formats in a class of their own and official gamescom partners with their own events allow us to offer players in the games industry a multitude of opportunities to share their games, announcements and news with millions of gamers worldwide.”

Oliver Frese, Managing Director of Koelnmesse

Further details on the individual formats of gamescom 2020 will be announced in the coming weeks.