Gamescom 2024, one of the most anticipated gaming events of the year, has not disappointed. The festivities kicked off with the highly anticipated Opening Night Live showcase, setting the stage for exciting reveals in the gaming world. Last year, fans enjoyed announcements like Mortal Kombat 1, Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, and a new season for Diablo 4. But this year, the event has grown even larger.
The 2024 event has already delivered major reveals, including the long-awaited announcements and release dates for Borderlands 4 and Civilization VII. But that’s just scratching the surface. To keep you informed, here’s a complete rundown of everything announced, teased, and revealed at Gamescom 2024 so far.
Gamescom 2024 announcements
Gamescom 2024 is the latest installment of the annual gaming convention held in Cologne, Germany, drawing thousands of gaming enthusiasts, developers, and industry insiders from around the globe. The event spans several days, from August 20 to August 24, and is packed with announcements, previews, and hands-on experiences with upcoming games.
The first night, known as Opening Night Live, set the tone for the week, unveiling trailers and release dates for highly anticipated titles. The spotlight was on games like Borderlands 4 and Civilization VII, but the event also highlighted a wide variety of other exciting projects. Below, you’ll find a detailed list of every game announced during Gamescom 2024’s first night.
Civilization VII
- Release date: February 11, 2025
- Studio: Firaxis Games
- Genre: Turn-Based Strategy
Civilization VII, a popular turn-based strategy game, is slated to be released on February 11, 2025, during Gamescom 2024. Firaxis Games has introduced additional features and improvements to the game, which will be available on the Nintendo Switch, PS5, Xbox Series platforms, and PC. The game will primarily center on city management, diplomacy, and warfare, with players spending endless hours guiding their chosen civilizations from humble beginnings to world-dominating empires. The game will be accessible on the Nintendo Switch, PS5, Xbox franchise consoles, and PC, expanding the franchise’ reach across several platforms.
Borderlands 4
- Release date: Coming 2025
- Studio: Gearbox
- Genre: FPS Action
Gearbox has revealed Borderlands 4, a new game slated to be released in 2025. The game, which will retain the franchise’s characteristic combination of chaotic gunplay, dark comedy, and vivid cel-shaded graphic style, promises to add to the universe’s rich mythology with new characters, weapons, and potentially other worlds. The teaser hinted at a return to the anarchic, loot-filled environments that define the Borderlands experience. Despite Gearbox keeping tight-lipped on many parts of the game, the buzz around Borderlands 4 suggests it will be one of the year’s most major releases.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
- Release date: December 9, 2024 (Xbox Series & PC), Spring 2025 (PS5)
- Studio: Bethesda / MachineGames
- Genre: Action-Adventure
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, announced at Gamescom 2024, is set to launch on December 9, 2024, for Xbox Series consoles and PC, and on PS5 in spring 2025. The game, developed by MachineGames, is expected to deliver a story-driven experience that blends action, puzzle-solving, and exploration, honoring the legacy of the character and the adventure genre. The trailer successfully captured the iconic feel of the Indiana Jones franchise, complete with daring escapes and legendary artifacts. Fans are eager to see how the game will differentiate itself from previous action-adventure titles, especially with the promise of modern graphics and game mechanics. The inclusion of a PlayStation release opens the door for a wider audience to enjoy this epic adventure.
Mafia: The Old Country
- Release date: Coming 2025
- Studio: 2K / Hangar13
- Genre: Action, Open-World Crime
At Gamescom 2024, Mafia: The Old Country was announced as a prequel to the beloved crime series, set in the early 1900s. The game aims to deepen the Mafia franchise’s lore by offering a gritty, immersive experience that delves into the rise of organized crime during a time of social upheaval and economic hardship. The atmospheric storytelling, complex characters, and moral dilemmas of previous Mafia titles are expected to return. The setting in “The Old Country” adds a fresh historical dimension, potentially exploring themes of immigration, loyalty, and power pursuit.
Dying Light: The Beast
- Release date: Soon
- Studio: Techland
- Genre: Action, Survival Horror
Dying Light: The Beast is a new DLC game by Techland, offering intense parkour-driven zombie action in a fresh, open-world setting. The game promises around 20 hours of gameplay, offering solo and four-player co-op modes. Set in a new zone, players face undead threats and survival relies on agility, quick thinking, and cooperation. Availability for PC, Xbox, and PlayStation is confirmed, with a release date of $40. The game could serve as a bridge between major releases, offering a fresh take on the Dying Light formula while Techland works on future projects.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
- Release date: October 25, 2024
- Studio: Activision-Blizzard
- Genre: FPS Action
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 was unveiled at Gamescom 2024, marking a return to the Cold War era. Released on October 25, 2024, it is the first Call of Duty title since Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision-Blizzard. The game promises intense, high-stakes action, exploring geopolitical tensions through a cinematic narrative. It also features a robust multiplayer mode with new maps, weapons, and game modes. The revamped Zombies mode builds on the franchise’s popular cooperative play. With cross-platform play and enhanced graphics for next-gen consoles, it is expected to be a major release for both longtime fans and newcomers.
Marvel’s Rivals
- Release date: December 6, 2024
- Studio: Marvel Games
- Genre: Team-Based Combat, Multiplayer
Marvel’s Rivals, a free-to-play game for PC, Xbox, and PlayStation, will introduce high-energy, team-based combat to the Marvel world. Starting December 6, 2024, gamers will be able to control their favorite Marvel superheroes in fast-paced, objective-based fights. Each hero has distinct skills and playstyles, which promote collaboration and strategy. Marvel’s Rivals distinguishes itself by incorporating the huge Marvel world, letting players construct teams with characters from the franchise’s large roster. The game’s free-to-play concept is anticipated to attract a big user base, with cosmetics and battle passes serving as the key income streams.
Dune: Awakening
- Release date: Early 2025
- Studio: Funcom
- Genre: Survival-Crafting Shooter
Dune: Awakening, a survival-crafting shooter developed by Funcom, is set in the harsh desert world of Arrakis, drawing heavily from Frank Herbert’s Dune universe. Players start as prisoners and face brutal realities like heat stroke, dehydration, and sandworms. The game offers a mix of solo and multiplayer experiences, with players forming alliances and competing for control over the precious spice. Dune: Awakening features large-scale battles, dynamic weather systems, and the ability to summon sandworms, adding strategic depth to the survival experience. Set to release on PlayStation 5, PC, and Xbox Series X/S in early 2025, it promises an immersive and challenging survival genre.
Masters of Albion
- Release date: –
- Studio: 22Cans
- Genre: God Game, Strategy Simulation
Peter Molyneux, renowned for his work on Fable and Black & White, has unveiled Masters of Albion at Gamescom 2024. The game, a spiritual successor to his earlier works, allows players to control a world from the perspective of a divine overseer, guiding inhabitants to thrive or suffer. The game combines the “hand of God” gameplay of Black & White with modern AI and simulation technology. It also introduces a new third-person mode, allowing players to direct control of individual villagers. Despite its ambitious promises, Masters of Albion has the potential to be a standout title in the strategy and simulation genre.
Batman: Arkham Shadows
- Release date: October 2024
- Studio: Oculus
- Genre: VR Action-Adventure
Batman: Arkham Shadows, a VR experience exclusive to Meta Quest 3, is a thrilling addition to the Batman Arkham series. This first-person action game offers players the chance to step into the Dark Knight’s boots, blending intense combat, detective work, and atmospheric exploration within Gotham City. Set for an October 2024 release, developed for VR, it utilizes hand-tracking, motion controls, and advanced display technology. Players will engage in visceral hand-to-hand combat, solve complex puzzles, and explore Gotham’s dark alleyways and skyscrapers. This VR gaming experience is a must-play for fans of both the Batman Arkham series and VR gaming.
Monster Hunter Wilds
- Release date: 2025
- Studio: Capcom
- Genre: Action RPG
Monster Hunter Wilds, the sixth mainline entry in Capcom’s Monster Hunter franchise, is set to launch in 2025. The game, set in a vast wilderness, promises to build on the success of Monster Hunter: World by introducing new regions, creatures, and mechanics. Players will face massive monsters using various weapons and tactics. The game’s co-op features have been refined, allowing seamless team-based gameplay. Environmental interactions, such as trapping or ambushing monsters, are also introduced. With a release date set for 2025, Monster Hunter Wilds is expected to continue the series’ tradition of thrilling cooperative monster-hunting experiences.
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage
- Release date: Two parts: Tape 1 on February 18th, and Tape 2 on March 18th, 2025
- Studio: DON’T NOD
- Genre: Narrative Adventure
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, an emotionally charged narrative-driven adventure game, is set to release in two parts across 2025. The game follows a group of friends reuniting after 27 years, navigating the complexities of their past and present relationships. It combines elements of exploration, decision-making, and interactive storytelling, similar to Life is Strange, but with a new focus on how time changes people and their connections. The art style is a blend of realism and stylized design, complementing the game’s deep narrative themes. Players guide characters through pivotal moments, with lasting consequences shaping the story’s direction. The game is expected to become a standout title in the adventure genre.
Goat Simulator Remastered
- Release date: 2024
- Studio: Coffee Stain
- Genre: Sandbox, Simulation
The remastered edition of the classic game, Goat Simulator, has been announced at Gamescom 2024. The updated version features enhanced visuals, physics, and DLC, offering a polished yet absurd experience. The game retains its open-ended, sandbox-style gameplay, where players control a goat causing chaos in a small town. Released later this year on PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PS5, it promises to bring the quirky charm of the original to a new generation of players. Developers have teased new content and surprises, ensuring fresh ways for players to enjoy the mayhem.
Secret Levels
- Release date: December 10, 2024
- Studio: Blur Studio
- Genre: Animated Anthology Series (Video Game-Inspired)
Secret Levels, an animated anthology series from Amazon Prime Video, was announced at Gamescom 2024. Created by the creators of Love, Death & Robots, the series features 15 animated stories inspired by iconic video games. The first season, set to launch on December 10, 2024, promises a visual feast for gaming fans, featuring episodes based on classics like Mega Man, PAC-MAN, and Sifu. Blur Studio, known for its work in gaming and animation, adds credibility and excitement to the project. Secret Levels is expected to be a must-watch for both gamers and animation enthusiasts.
Gamescom 2024 continues
Gamescom 2024 has undoubtedly set the stage for an exciting year ahead in the gaming world. From long-awaited sequels like Borderlands 4 and Civilization VII to fresh new entries like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, the event has delivered a diverse lineup that promises to cater to all types of gamers. With each reveal, the anticipation for what lies ahead grows, ensuring that the coming months will be filled with plenty of gaming excitement. As these titles move closer to release, fans worldwide eagerly await the opportunity to dive into these new adventures and experience the next big moments in gaming history.
Featured image credit: Gamescom 2024
