Gamescom 2016: All the launches, games and consoles to expect

There are many that think E3 is the biggest videogames show in the world, but that’s because they’ve never experienced Gamescom.

The German games convention is massive. And it’s open to the public, which adds an all-new dynamic to the event. E3 is a strictly trade-only affair, but you’re just as likely to bump into a fan dressed as Pikachu as a journalist or industry type at Gamescom.

Its closer proximity to the holiday season also makes the show a better place to get hands-on with the triple-A titles coming out for Christmas. They have been in development longer, so those that you could only observe at E3 have a better chance of being playable in Cologne.

So here’s our guide to those games and others that you can expect to be at this year’s show, plus any press conferences and other tidbits you should keep an look out for.

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What is Gamescom?

Gamescom started in 2009 and is held annually at the Koelnmesse convention centre in Cologne, Germany. It generally runs in mid-August.

The first day is for trade and media only, which will be held on Wednesday 17 August this year. The show then opens to the public too on Thursday 18 August and runs until Sunday 21 August.

Some companies have press conferences and events on the Tuesday ahead of the show opening, although these have shrunk in number over the years.

Microsoft

Gamescom 2016 press conferences to look out for

Although it traditionally holds a Gamescom press conference each year, Microsoft has announced that it will not be hosting a streamed Xbox Media Briefing in Cologne in 2016. Instead, it will be hosting an Xbox FanFest, which will run throughout the show.

Sony pulled out of hosting a press conference last year and is highly unlikely to reinstate it for 2016. It could once again favour a European Media Briefing for Paris Games Week, as it did in 2015. PGW will be held in France from 27 October.

Another company that also usually hosts a press conference at Gamescom is Electronic Arts, although it too has decided to do something different. Like at E3, it is holding a “Grand Opening” on the day preceding the show – Tuesday 16 August in this case. It kicks off at 6pm CET (5pm GMT) although there’s currently no word on whether there will be a short keynote beforehand.

We’ve not heard of any other major press conferences yet, but will update as we do.

Gamescom 2016 security

Because of multiple shocking events around Europe security will be tighter at Gamescom than usual. Visitors are being requested to leave bags and rucksacks at home. Bag checks will be held at all entrances, so there will be delays getting into the Koelnmesse.

In addition, cosplayers are being told not to bring imitation weapons, no matter how soft or outrageous they might look. They will not be allowed into the building.

Gamescom 2016: Exhibitors

There are 100s of exhibitors booked into Gamescom. Here are some of the bigger names that will have games available to play at the show.

• 1C Company
• 505 games
• Activision
• Amazon
• Anki
• Bandai Namco
• Bethesda
• Blizzard
• Capcom
• CD Projekt
• Crytek
• Deep Silver
• Electronic Arts
• Facebook
• Focus Home Interactive
• Frontier
• Gameloft
• Gigabyte
• GOG
• Google
• Harmonix
• Kalypso
• Konami
• Logitech
• Microsoft
• Nintendo
• Nordic Games
• Nvidia
• Oculus VR
• Plantronics
• Razer
• Rebellion
• Sega
• Sennheiser
• Sony Computer Entertainment
• Square Enix
• Take-Two
• Team 17
• Turtle Beach
• Ubisoft
• Wargaming
• Warner

Sony Computer Entertainment

Gamescom 2016: Games

There will, of course, be plenty of games to play and see at Gamescom. Here are a few of the highlights we expect to be there. Some have already been officially confirmed, others we’ve taken an educated guess about.

One or two of them are even out soon after the show finishes.

• Batman: Arkham VR (PS VR)
• Battlefield 1 (Xbox One, PS4, PC)
• Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare (Xbox One, PS4, PC)
• Civilization VI (PC)
• Destiny: Rise of Iron (Xbox One, PS4)
• Dead Rising 4 (Xbox One, PS4, PC)
• Deus Ex: Mankind Divided (Xbox One, PS4, PC)
• Dishonored 2 (Xbox One, PS4, PC)
• Cuphead (Xbox One, PC)
• Far Point (PS VR)
• FIFA 17 (Xbox One, PS4)
• Final Fantasy XV (Xbox One, PS4)
• Forza Horizon 3 (Xbox One, PC)
• Gears of War 4 (Xbox One, PC)
• God of War (PS4)
• Gran Turismo Sport (PS4)
• Gwent: The Witcher Card Game (Xbox One, PC)
• Halo Wars 2 (Xbox One, PC)
• Horizon Zero Dawn (PS4)
• Mafia III (Xbox One, PS4, PC)
• PES 2017 (Xbox One, PS4, PC)
• Planet Coaster (PC)
• Pokemon Sun and Moon (3DS)
• ReCore (Xbox One, PC)
• Rock Band: Rivals (Xbox One, PS4)
• Sea of Thieves (Xbox One)
• Skylanders Imaginators (Xbox One, PS4, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U)
• South Park: The Fractured But Whole (Xbox One, PS4, PC)
• Star Trek: Bridge Crew (PS VR, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive)
• Steep (Xbox One, PS4, PC) 
• Titanfall 2 (Xbox One, PS4, PC)
• The Elder Scrolls: Legends (PC, iOS, Android)
• The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim Special Edition (Xbox One, PS4, PC)
• The Last Guardian (PS4)
• Watch Dogs 2 (Xbox One, PS4, PC)
• Worms W.M.D. (Xbox One, PS4, PC)
• WWE 2K17 (Xbox One, PS4)

We’ll add to this list as we find out more.

Gamescom 2016: Consoles and hardware

As you will see below, we do not expect any next generation consoles to appear at Gamescom, from Microsoft, Sony or Nintendo. Instead, we suspect all hardware stories to centre around virtual reality and gaming PCs.

Here are the products we’ll be hoping to check out while we’re there.

Pocket-lint

PlayStation VR

With the official release date getting close, we fully expect the PlayStation VR headset to have a strong presence at Gamescom this year – much like it did at E3 in June.

Oculus Touch

We know for sure that Oculus will be focusing on its new games and specifically the ones with Oculus Touch support. The motion controllers that work with the Rift headset will be released before the end of 2016, so it will be good to use them with some of the forthcoming titles, rather than just a tech demo as before.

Xbox One S

Even though the 2TB launch edition is now available, we’re still to find out release dates for the 500GB and 1TB variants. Maybe they will both be at Gamescom and Microsoft will reveal availability.

HP gaming and VR PCs

HP will show its all-new gaming portfolio at this year’s Gamescom, including the Omen X VR PC that comes in a backpack.

Logitech G range

Logitech is planning some exciting new launches as part of its G range of accessories.

Gamescom 2016: What we won’t see

Sadly, although there will be plenty to see at the show, it is unlikely that some things will be launched during Gamescom this year. Here are some of the things we’d love to see but are very unlikely to appear.

Project Scorpio

Microsoft has already said that it will be launching its next generation console – one that’s far superior to the existing Xbox One, even the Xbox One S – in 2017, so you won’t get even a whiff of it at Gamescom 2016.

PlayStation Neo

Although PlayStation boss Andrew House confirmed ahead of E3 that a new, 4K capable console was coming, it wouldn’t make an appearance during the June show. It is also highly unlikely to be at Gamescom either, especially considering Sony has no press conference scheduled.

Nintendo NX

Nintendo always has a reduced presence at Gamescom in comparison to E3 and this year will likely be the same. It has also previously revealed that while it will give details of its next generation console at some point this year, it is almost certainly going to do so in a pre-recorded Nintendo Direct video online on another date.