New games - live from Gamescom
17.8.2016
Translation: machine translated
I went to Gamescom for the eighth time. This year it was in Cologne. I went with 5 other colleagues from marketing, editorial and product management. Here are my impressions and the latest news on the games and other products.
Day 1, 17 August 2016
Before the show
In general, news of what's new at the show circulates long before it starts. And yes, some products are already presented at trade shows and press conferences that take place before Gamescom. But there are still some surprises in store for us at Gamescom. We can't wait to find out.
First impressions
As every year, the show starts on a Wednesday, and this day is mainly aimed at trade visitors. But for the past few years, a few (thousand) private individuals have also been able to attend - they don't have access to the business zones, but still lengthen the waiting time in front of each stand. The size of the hall is and remains impressive, and the expansion of the surface area is noticeable this year. I hope there will be even more seats next year and ... plugs! Luckily I always have my backup battery with me.
It was rather by chance and with a private motivation that I first went to the German developer Deck 13. It's currently working on The Surge, a game due out in 2017 for which a new trailer was released yesterday.
Nintendo
Everyone is of course talking about The Legend of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild.
You can find it at the show, but in a separate room. A release date has yet to be announced, so let's hope it's before 2099...
The two big new releases this year are, after the huge success of Pokémon Go, of course the two Pokémon Sun and Moon titles, which will be out in November. To these will be added some new colour versions for the New 3DS-XL. More information on this will follow soon. And with , the Japanese aren't short of new releases over the next few weeks.
Ubisoft
One of the biggest upcoming titles is undoubtedly Watch Dogs 2, which is due on November 15 and will also be available as a limited edition. Another highlight, which Swiss Alps fans can look forward to, is Steep. Until now, there has been no similar game for next-gen consoles, which is why it's particularly worth a look. The game will probably be released in early December. For Honor and Ghost Recon Wildlands won't be released until sometime next year.
Day 2, 18 August 2016
Activision
At Activision, the launch of Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare trumps all. Particularly interesting: as well as the new game, a remake of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is also part of the package. And here, there's something with David Hasselhoff again.... Yes, you read that right. He was at Gamescom to show off the 80s-style zombie mode, which will also be part of the game. Release date: 4 November!
Activision has announced much more: Destiny: The Collection will be released on 20 September. The game and other expansions released so far at great bundle prices: pre-orderable soon! Skylanders: Imaginations arrives from mid-October with lots of stunning new features. And on the Blizzard side, World of Warcraft: Legion will already be out at the end of August. The pre-order box is, of course, already in stock.
Xbox One
Not long ago, Microsoft launched the Xbox One S, of which we still have a few copies of the limited edition 2TB in stock. In September, as announced today at Gamescom, the 500GB and 1TB versions will be available with FIFA 17 - and will soon be available to pre-order. Almost more importantly and already online: the Gears of War console. We won't be receiving many copies, so pre-ordering is advised!
And we're already coming to this spring's Xbox One games line-up. As well as Gears of War 4 (October 7), other exclusive titles such as Recore (September 16) and Forza Horizon 3 (September 27) are also hotly anticipated.
Square Enix
Final Fantasy XV, whose release has already been pushed back, won't be released until the end of November. This was, of course, a big theme at the show, and the game attracted plenty of visitors. To shorten the wait, World of Final Fantasy will be released on October 28 exclusively for PS4 and PS VITA - a best of featuring the much-loved heroes from previous games and a new combat system.
And, to mark the 30th anniversary of the series, Square Enix is bringing Dragon Quest Builders to market, a Minecraft-like game exclusively for PlayStation. This will be released on 14 October, and at first glance it looks like a lot of fun.
Sony Playstation
Earlier this week, we already communicated that Sony was celebrating Playstation and we'd like to thank you for the interest. And Sony, of course, too. Its presence at the show was completely under the sign of virtual reality. However, we're still waiting for concrete information on delivery times and quantities of VR glasses available. We recommend that anyone who wants one should pre-order. It should be well worth it: no fewer than 160 games are currently being developed for Playstation VR, with around 50 already due for release during the course of this year. And as far as games go: The Last Guardian and GT Sport are clearly leading the race.
In The Last Guardian (recommended age: from 12!), we accompany a little boy and his friend Trico on an adventure under the sign of trust, love and hope. A beautiful game that's sure to find fans. The Steelbook and Collector's editions will soon be available for pre-order and will be delivered from 26 October!
And with GT Sport, it's finally a Gran Turismo again. With 137 vehicles, lots of different tracks, split-screen mode for offline multiplayer and Playstation VR compatibility (!) - this simulation game will appeal to many. Here too, we'll soon be offering Steelbook and Collector's editions.
Already released, but naturally still on everyone's lips: No Man's Sky. [[product:5785197,5762093,5776372]]
Electronic Arts
The EA public stand is, as every year, placed at the other end of the hall and is very imposing - it gives competition to the Ubisoft stand located only a few metres away. The main themes are of course FIFA 17 (due for release on 29 September) and Battlefield 1 (21 October), but also Titanfall 2 (28 October). Another theme, but a less important one: NHL 17 (15 September) - the Swiss are much more interested than the Germans.
The highlight of this year's FIFA 17, in addition to optimised game content, is "The Journey" mode thanks to which, it is possible to create your own story and take on the role of Alex Hunter - for the first time in FIFA.
2K Games
If you want to try and find out what the publishers' focus is, just flip through the sales catalogue. 2K's looks like this: four pages on Mafia III, two pages on Civilization VI and then another page for all the other titles. But that's completely understandable, the mafiosi story set in 1968 New Orleans is beyond gripping. This grandiose blend of music and violence is already selling like hotcakes, ahead of its scheduled release on 7 October. The game is available for PS4, Xbox One and PC and in three editions:
With its sixth opus, the Civilization series enters a new round. To date, it has sold over 33 million copies, including 8 million for the fifth opus alone - a fine promise of success for this number 6, which is aimed at experienced gamers and beginners alike. [[product:5765920]]
What's next
This article isn't finished yet, but my visit to the show is: I left late Thursday afternoon. But don't panic: I'll complete the article next week. Stay tuned!
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Header image: A stock photo? No, for the launch of the (unfortunately sold out) retro console, Nintendo is reviving the 90s.
Thierry Pool
Head of Digital Marketing and Media Planning
thierry.pool@digitecgalaxus.chI’m passionate about observing the development of the digital environment – particularly when it comes to the countless exciting and interesting challenges and changes it has in store for our society, our everyday lives and businesses. Apart from that, gaming has been a part of my life since I first started out at Digitec Galaxus as well as IT in general, travelling, sports, concerts and good food.
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