The hallowed halls of the Koelnmesse have finally fallen silent after a record (we’re going to be using that word a lot) 368,000 visitors from 131 countries descended on Cologne, Germany for the biggest in-person gaming event in the world.
Held from August 23–29, Gamescom 2026 saw a record (told you) 1700+ companies exhibit across 233,000 square meters of floor space—nothing less than a vast, teeming city of creativity. Against an often challenging 2026 industry landscape, it was a spectacular affirmation of gaming’s importance as a cultural and economic force.
If we saw you at the Intel booth, hello again! We hope you got home OK without dropping any of that swag you collected. If you weren’t among the attendees, or didn’t contribute to the record (last time, promise) 624 million live views of the event—or even if you did—join us as we turn the spotlight on a few of the incredible titles that electrified Koelnmesse.
Let’s start with Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, whose impressive booth design has to feature in a metric ton of Gamescom selfies (did you run from or into the T. rex’s gaping jaws?). The game releases February 12, 2027, but you can join the Society of Raiders now to keep up to date with all the pre-release news, including rewards and merch. Sign up here. Also, check out the BTS video about the painstaking creative process behind Lara’s nemesis Natla. When you’re done there, here’s where to go to pre-purchase.
1001 Threads of Mizan weaves a world of fantasy with its spin on Arabian folklore and the classic stories of One Thousand and One Nights. Soar across a desert landscape and battle colossal jinn in a one-to-three person coop adventure as a solo hero or fighting unit. This is the first title from MBC Game Studio and it had gamers lining up to take a ride on flying carpets and take on the cursed jinn princess Nazjush. Check out its announcement trailer here.
The Gamescom livestream for Total War: Warhammer 40,000 gave fans an extensive look at this highly anticipated title, which doesn’t have a release date yet. See what the developers showed those lucky fans here. Set in the 41st millennium when there is only war, Total War: Warhammer 40,000 gives you distinct factions to command: the genetically enhanced Space Marines; the ancient and psychic race of the Aeldari; the brutal Orks, and humanity’s largest fighting force, the Astra Militarum. Read up before signing up here.
Those who like their legends to have an Arthurian flavor were there for the first public hands-on of Tides of Annihilation, a gorgeous fantasy set across a ruined London under siege from a strange and destructive force, and the mystical realm of Avalon. The title picked up the Gamescom 2026 award for Most Epic, so it’s safe to say the hands-on went well. Tides follows Gwendolyn, the sole survivor of the attack on London who is endowed with the ability to summon the Knights of the Round Table as she embarks on a grail quest. Check out the first story trailer here. And while there’s no release date, it’s billed as “coming soon”, so you can get in line here.
The last stop on our roundup takes us to a lawless place where a quiet life is never on the agenda. To be left in peace is all No Law’s ex-military protagonist Grey Harker wants, but trouble has a way of finding him. A revenge-fueled cyber-noir FPS with a relentless stream of very nasty foes to take apart, No Law earned raves for its gameplay sneak peek and is already on a lot of most-wanted lists. Check out the trailer here. And keep an eye on that 2027 release date. You don’t want to miss any movement.
That’s all we have room for here—there’s no way we can cram all those 233,000 square meters in—but head to the Gamescom site for the full winners list, details on upcoming Gamescom events, and everything you need to know about the 2027 return to Cologne. Until next time.