The Gaming World Invaded Cologne

Ladies and gentlemen, gamers of all ages and galaxies, get ready because Gamescom 2024 not only arrived, but exploded like a well-loaded Ultimate in an eSports championship!

The event was so massive that even Bowser would be proud of the amount of people who filled Cologne, Germany, between August 21st and 25th. We're talking about more than 335,000 people from over 120 different countries, all united by a single passion: gaming!

Now, imagine how long the line would be to buy that basic 30-euro snack and then wait hours to try out a game that won't be released until 2026! And look, if you thought the line at Sony to play the next Spider-Man was going to be easy, congratulations, you were wrong. On Friday and Saturday, tickets evaporated faster than the hope of winning an online game. Dark Souls.

Online Also Rocked!

Gamescom 2024 wasn't just a hit in person, the online event broke the internet more than any TikTok dance. It had more than 310 million views by Saturday night. That's the equivalent of every inhabitant of Brazil and Argentina watching at least one video from the event! The big highlight was the Opening Night Live, which alone totaled more than 40 million views. That's right, we're talking numbers that would make even Thanos rethink his priorities!

And, of course, while everyone was having fun testing games and collecting gifts, the executives were there doing what they do best: doing business. There were around 32,000 trade visitors, with a large presence of foreigners from North America and Japan. If E3 wasn't already doing well, Gamescom 2024 practically buried its rival, consolidating itself once and for all as the main event in the sector.

Gamescom epix: A Crazy Digital Hangout

For those who like to collect anything, from Pokémon cards to those repeated stickers from albums that you never complete, Gamescom epix was a real treat. The guys invented a system of digital trading cards that had accumulated 2.5 million page views as of Saturday. Yes, that's right, two and a half million people spending precious hours trying to collect all the cards. Now that's what I call true gamer dedication.

Devcom and Congress: Why Even Gamers Talk Seriously Every Now and Then

Oh, and we can't forget Devcom and the gamescom congress. These events also broke attendance records, proving that even nerds in suits and ties have their place in the gaming world. But make no mistake, so far the conversation has been of the highest level, discussing the cultural, social and technological impact of games on the world. After all, what would the world be like without memes and conspiracy theories? Metal Gear Solidisn't it?

What about the Words of the Bosses?

Gerald Böse, the CEO of Koelnmesse, and Felix Falk, the head of the German Games Industry Association, were so happy they must have been jumping for joy like Mario. Böse didn’t mince words: “gamescom has once again proven its unparalleled global reach and its importance as the world’s leading event for the games industry.” In other words: “We’re dominating everything, hold on tight!”

And Falk, of course, reinforced the power of games, saying that they are “the portal to the future.” Look, if the future is everyone hooked on games and trying to beat Max Verstappen’s time in F1 simulators, then I’m in!

Gamescom 2025 Already Scheduled!

And for those who are already missing it, don't worry, because Gamescom 2025 already has a date! Between August 20th and 24th, Cologne will shake again with another show of games, trailers and endless lines. And of course, starting with the already classic Opening Night Live on August 19th, 2025. So, get your wallet, pockets and patience ready, because 2025 promises to be even bigger!

Opera Recap: Gamescom 2024 in Numbers

• 335 thousand visitors from 120 countries (on Friday alone, it seemed like the Warzone released a new map and everyone decided to test it at the same time).
• More than 32 thousand commercial visitors (and no, none of them managed to get a meeting with Rockstar).
• 310 million views online (sorry, Netflix, but this time the streaming was all ours).
• 40 million views on Opening Night Live (it was more tense than the final of Mortal Kombat in EVO).
• 2.5 million views at gamescom epix (some people don't know, but it's already the biggest digital card collector in Europe).
• 1,462 exhibitors from 64 countries (yes, even that indie studio from Slovakia was there).
• 48 country pavilions (some of them had longer lines than the bakery on Sunday morning).
• 230 thousand square meters of exhibition area (i.e. more space than any map of Minecraft).
• 80,000 visitors at gamescom Festival (and it was as packed as the Foo Fighters show).

So, guys, this was Gamescom 2024, a true celebration of what we love most: games! And here comes 2025, because we're already in line!