{"id":13629,"date":"2025-08-22T17:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-22T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sunfirestudiosinc.com\/?p=13629"},"modified":"2025-08-22T22:57:51","modified_gmt":"2025-08-22T22:57:51","slug":"whats-it-like-to-attend-gamescom-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sunfirestudiosinc.com\/?p=13629","title":{"rendered":"What’s It Like To Attend Gamescom 2025?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\nPicture: Anthony Dickens \/ Nintendo Life<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
I\u2019ve by no means been to Gamescom earlier than. I\u2019ve heard all of the rumours, although. Gamescom is clearly an occasion I\u2019ve been conscious of for a really very long time and it seems to have been rising in stature as of late \u2013 even Nintendo determined to return this 12 months after skipping the present in 2024.<\/p>\n
In case you\u2019ve been to the present earlier than, then this piece isn\u2019t for you. Attending for the primary time, I assumed I\u2019d share my very own expertise for individuals who might need to take into account attending in future.<\/p>\n
The present takes place at Koelnmesse \u2013 no laughing within the again, I do know the title appears like what occurs the day after a very spicy curry \u2013 which is within the German metropolis of K\u00f6ln (aka Cologne).<\/p>\n
The expected climate for the week was comparatively heat 24-28\u00b0C (~75-83\u00b0F), and solely staying for 2 nights meant I might pack frivolously. I stuffed my trusty Gundam backpack with some garments, toiletries and my work gear (laptop computer, powerbank, and many others.), and I used to be good to go.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s-a-go!<\/h2>\n
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<\/div>\n<\/div>Photos: Anthony Dickens \/ Nintendo Life<\/figcaption>
Flying from the UK, my journey began early Tuesday morning with a 1-hour drive to Birmingham Airport, boarding a Lufthansa 1.5-hour flight to Munich after which sub 1-hour connecting flight arriving in Cologne mid-afternoon. The return journey was very completely different, however extra on that later.<\/p>\n
The airport isn\u2019t that removed from the town centre, so taking the practice might be essentially the most cost-effective route. Nonetheless, time wasn\u2019t actually on my facet as I nonetheless wanted to check-in to my resort within the metropolis after which work out find out how to get to the venue earlier than Opening Night time Dwell, there was an easier reply: Uber.<\/p>\n
I\u2019d seen taxi rides quoted at upwards of \u20ac100, so the \u20ac35 being quoted by Uber appeared logical (and I used to be sharing the trip with Sammy from Push Sq.).<\/p>\n
The place to remain?<\/h2>\n
20 minutes or so later we have been dropped off at our respective accommodations and all checked-in. I stayed at 3-star Resort Windsor \u2013 I couldn\u2019t resist the title, having not too long ago visited our personal Windsor \u2014 which is barely on the sting of the town however nonetheless solely a 10-15 min stroll.<\/p>\n
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<\/div>\n<\/div>Photos: Anthony Dickens \/ Nintendo Life<\/figcaption>
We did guide lodging barely late (perhaps 1-2 months earlier than), and sadly, the costs are clearly hiked up across the time of Gamescom. We\u2019re speaking about \u20ac200-250 an evening for even 3-star accommodations. Recommendation: don\u2019t depart it late, guide early!<\/p>\n
Location-wise, although, I used to be comparatively glad. Town is break up in half by the Rhine River, with the exhibition centre on the right-hand facet of the water. Your intuition is perhaps to get a resort on the identical facet, however I wouldn\u2019t. The vast majority of the town eating places, squares, bars and many others. are on the left facet.<\/p>\n
Getting Round Cologne<\/h2>\n
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<\/div>\n<\/div>Photos: Anthony Dickens \/ Nintendo Life<\/figcaption>
The 2 fundamental landmarks can be Koelnmesse itself and K\u00f6lner Dom, Cologne\u2019s completely gorgeous and unmissable (in each sense of the phrase) Cathedral, which is on the other facet of the river to the occasion. These good method factors imply you shouldn\u2019t get misplaced.<\/p>\n
Conveniently, the central practice station is correct subsequent to that past huge Cathedral, which has a devoted sign-posted line (or \u201cobserve\u201d in native communicate). This was platform 10 while I used to be there. The Koelnmesse is the subsequent cease throughout the river, so you may nearly soar on any practice (verify the subsequent cease on the boards).<\/p>\n
I\u2019m not going to lie, initially, I discovered the trains fairly troublesome to navigate. There are such a lot of completely different naming conventions in comparison with the UK. Every route has its personal title and there\u2019s a mixture of ICE (InnerCity Specific) trains which go inter-city and extra native trains too.<\/p>\n
The excellent news is that each one of this transportation is free. Alongside along with your Gamescom admission ticket you’re issued a journey ticket that means that you can take these native trains. The ticket itself says you will need to carry photograph identification, however my ticket was by no means checked.<\/p>\nPicture: Anthony Dickens \/ Nintendo Life<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Alternatively, it\u2019s simple to stroll throughout the bridge, which takes round 10 minutes facet to facet.<\/p>\n
Opening Night time Dwell!<\/h2>\nPicture: Anthony Dickens \/ Nintendo Life<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
In addition to by no means attending Gamescom, I\u2019ve additionally by no means been to one in every of these stay showcases. My position has all the time been to help our editorial groups throughout these reveals, or just be certain that our web sites don\u2019t fall over. They must survive with out me this time.<\/p>\n
The stage and lighting have been actually spectacular in particular person. Much less spectacular was the truth that seating was all at flooring degree, so except you\u2019re in the direction of the entrance, your view isn\u2019t wherever close to pretty much as good as it will be at a venue with tiered seats.<\/p>\n
I don\u2019t perceive the idea of \u201cpre-shows\u201d from a shopper perspective, I can solely think about it\u2019s a business standpoint to do with pricing. The pre-show had some actually cool video games that deserved to be in the primary present, and the presenting was goofy and bordering on low cost.<\/p>Photos: Anthony Dickens \/ Nintendo Life<\/figcaption>
At this level, you\u2019ve seemingly seen the two-hour present (or no less than the highlights). Attending it in particular person was just about precisely what I anticipated it to be, just like watching at house however with the gang ‘woops’ and ‘cheers’ in full Dolby Atmos high quality and the bass rumble from the trailers slapping you around the face again and again. Possibly I\u2019m previous however I feel it was a bit too loud.<\/p>\n
I am glad I received to expertise it, however I\u2019m in no hurry to do it once more. Full disclosure, I also needs to add that Gamescom have been variety sufficient to ask Felix, Sammy and myself to the \u201cVIP\u201d ONL aftershow celebration the place all of us consumed no less than 1-2 free burgers every.<\/p>\n
Is It Actually That Huge?<\/h2>\nPicture: Gamescom<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
My ticket was supplied as a QR code, so including this to my Apple Pockets made it tremendous simple to enter the exhibition centre in the beginning of Wednesday – Day 1. No having to gather your badge or wristband wherever or any of that nonsense. Good things.<\/p>\n
Now then, the rumours are true: Gamescom is totally monumental. Every time I\u2019ve attended exhibitions within the UK they normally take up 1 or 2 (perhaps 3) halls on the NEC or the ExCeL.<\/p>\n
Gamescom takes over the complete Koelnmesse exhibition heart. You\u2019re speaking round 4-5 halls only for the \u201cfundamental\u201d video games, 1 corridor for merch and cosplay (break up throughout two ranges), and one other corridor for indie and retro video games. It\u2019s so large it even spills into the carpark behind corridor 8.<\/p>\n
Throw in one other 3 halls for the business-only space and also you begin to perceive the size of it.<\/p>Photos: Anthony Dickens \/ Nintendo Life<\/figcaption>
When you get your head across the scale of it you\u2019ll additionally discover the sheer high quality of the stands on provide, due to the quantity of floorspace on provide sales space after sales space oozes with slick design and is a feast on your eyes. Kudos to anybody who labored on these stands.<\/p>\n
After doing a whole lap of the present (and taking up 500 photographs) the format was now etched in my head and I\u2019d even found some hacks. You may keep away from these fundamental corridors with seas of individuals by transferring between halls utilizing the facet doorways.<\/p>\n
Queues, Queues, Queues<\/h2>\n
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<\/div>\n<\/div>Photos: Anthony Dickens \/ Nintendo Life<\/figcaption>
In case you\u2019re taking a look at my photographs pondering \u201cit doesn\u2019t look that dangerous\u201d please hold studying. Being a member of the press I used to be in a position to go searching and take all my photographs on Wednesday, the day that solely a small variety of non-trade shoppers are in a position to attend.<\/p>\n
I felt the present get noticeably busier on Wednesday afternoon when these shoppers have been allowed in, however it was nothing in comparison with Thursday. Oh boy, the rumours hold getting more true.<\/p>\n
335,000 folks attended Gamescom in 2024 and while every day figures aren\u2019t obtainable, you\u2019d need to estimate that no less than \u2153 of them have been there on every day. It\u2019s onerous to think about 100,000 folks shuffling across the occasion halls however in actuality, it\u2019s wave after wave after wave of individuals transferring in each path continuously \u2013 it\u2019s slightly overwhelming.<\/p>Photos: Anthony Dickens \/ Nintendo Life<\/figcaption>
There are loads of video games on the present, true, however each recreation has a restricted capability, some higher than others. Lengthy queues for well-liked video games kind nearly instantly. Some folks have clearly been earlier than and have introduced their very own fold-out chairs \u2013 good \u2013 as a result of they know they’re going to be queuing for hour(s) earlier than it\u2019s their flip to seize the controller.<\/p>\n
In case you\u2019ve ever been to a theme park in peak season and waited 2 hours to go on a curler coaster, then you definitely\u2019re in the appropriate ballpark. These are theme park-level of queues, maybe not in bodily size, however by way of wait time.<\/p>\n
Selection is King<\/h2>\nPicture: Anthony Dickens \/ Nintendo Life<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Away from a destructive and onto a optimistic, I used to be blown away by the quantity of various issues occurring on the present. There was an absolute ton of huge video games and an incredible quantity of indie video games too.<\/p>\n
No solely that, although, there have been plenty of different sights such because the EVA (Esports Digital Enviornment) sales space, a human foosball desk, cosplay village, ninja warrior-style challenges and inflatables.<\/p>Photos: Anthony Dickens \/ Nintendo Life<\/figcaption>
An enormous variety of peripherals have been showcased too, particularly these from the sim-racing world, I feel I counted no less than six completely different producers of racing wheels all exhibiting off their merchandise on sim rigs.<\/p>\n
There was additionally an entire spectrum (not that one) of merchandise too all the best way from the stereotypical anime figurine fest all the best way as much as a totally stocked official LEGO retailer. There was tons of buying and selling card distributors and even an artist space. I didn\u2019t see anybody promoting retro video games, although, however nearly anything gaming you may consider.<\/p>\n
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<\/div>\n<\/div>Photos: Anthony Dickens \/ Nintendo Life<\/figcaption>
As a little bit of a automotive nerd, I used to be pleasantly shocked by the variety of vehicles on the present, together with this totally beastly GR Yaris.<\/p>\n
What Are The Meals and Drink Choices?<\/h2>\n
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<\/div>\n<\/div>Photos: Anthony Dickens \/ Nintendo Life<\/figcaption>
The areas outdoors between the halls are the place many of the meals distributors might be discovered. You will get meals in a few of the halls however they’re few and much between. I truly actually appreciated the truth that the present usually separated the meals away from the showfloor.<\/p>\n
Unsurprisingly, outdoors it was the anticipated pom frites (chips), burgers, bratwursts (hog canines), fried hen and pretzels on provide. The standard was respectable, most likely higher than meals within the UK, to be sincere. I ought to add that there was additionally a very fashionable Subway stand on the showfloor.<\/p>\nPicture: Anthony Dickens \/ Nintendo Life<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Inside, you would get extra candy treats like crepes and churros. Apart from these distributors, there have been additionally some smaller convenience-style shops in the primary concourse areas, however I did discover that a few of these have been cash-only.<\/p>\n
Drinks have been closely weighted in the direction of your typical bottles of Coke, Fanta, and Pink Bull is clearly very fashionable in Germany. (TIL Germans love to combine Fanta and Coke to make a drink known as ‘Spezi’).<\/p>Photos: Anthony Dickens \/ Nintendo Life<\/figcaption>
Costs have been barely on the excessive facet, with a pretzel and Pink Bull setting me again round \u20ac9. On the upside service was good, quick and minimal queuing. On the draw back, there aren\u2019t many ‘correct’ locations\/tables to sit down down close to these meals vans; you\u2019ll find yourself perched on the ground or a random floor you’ll find, in case you\u2019re fortunate.<\/p>\n
Race Throughout The World<\/h2>\n
As I alluded to above, my return journey was not fairly as easy. Lufthansa function trains as \u201cdigital flight connections\u201d. Not fairly positive how this labored, I arrived on the practice station effectively forward of time and managed to decipher the board and located my platform. Thus far, so good.<\/p>\n
I used to be barely curious as to how this all labored because the connection time between arrival at Frankfurt Airport (from the practice) and Departure boarding was solely half-hour or so.<\/p>\nPicture: Anthony Dickens \/ Nintendo Life<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
I hold watching the board and immediately my practice is up to date and scheduled 5 minutes late. Then 10 minutes, then 20 minutes, then 25 minutes. I verify my Lufthansa app, and a discover seems \u201cyour connection is now in danger and we’re monitoring the state of affairs\u201d. Nice. It\u2019s the final flight to BHX of the day, so if I do miss it, I\u2019ll need to be put in a resort in a single day, and my spouse must miss work tomorrow.<\/p>\n
The high-speed (265km\/h) ICE practice lastly arrives, and we depart practically 35 minutes late. While on the practice I research the airport map to see the place my gate is and the quickest route \u2013 like every good gamer would.<\/p>\n
Practice pulls into the station, I sling my 8kg backpack on and begin operating down the platform, up the steps throughout the hyperlink bridge up extra stairs and into the terminal. My calves are burning because it\u2019s now 10 minutes earlier than boarding is because of shut.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s pretty late within the day, so fortunately the passport management has no queue – the guard stamps my passport and I rush by way of safety. After all, my backpack will get the dreaded punt of disgrace into the \u201cwe\u2019re going to verify your bag\u201d lane.<\/p>\n
The clock ticks on like an escape sequence initially of an motion recreation. The guard clears my bag and I sling it again on, wanting like Sam Porter Bridges from Loss of life Stranding as I proceed to run by way of the airport to my gate.<\/p>\n
I attain my gate with 5 minutes to spare, just for an announcement to observe shortly after telling us that boarding is being delayed for 20-25 minutes while they \u201cget the aircraft prepared\u201d.<\/p>\n
Morale of the story: it\u2019ll be tremendous.<\/p>\n
Conclusions<\/h2>\n
Cologne was a pleasant metropolis to go to and I felt secure strolling again to my resort pretty late at evening. I can\u2019t declare to have seen a great deal of the town, however what I noticed was nice. Town centre could be very tourist-friendly because it welcomes guests to it\u2019s Cathedral on a year-round foundation.<\/p>\n
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<\/div>\n<\/div>Photos: Anthony Dickens \/ Nintendo Life<\/figcaption>
Gamescom was just like reveals I\u2019ve attended earlier than, however on an entire new scale. It\u2019s huge. It\u2019s loud. It\u2019s busy. There are folks all over the place. It\u2019s sizzling. It\u2019s tiring \u2013 I did 50,000 steps (~35km) throughout my two day go to. The queues are sometimes lengthy, however not all the time.<\/p>\n
Would I like to recommend attending? I feel it comes right down to your priorities. In case you\u2019re going hellbent on taking part in the most recent AAA video games, it\u2019s a tricky ask contemplating the price of journey. In case you\u2019re going with mates, taking your time and absorb the festival-esque environment and perhaps play some video games alongside the best way, there’s a a lot better likelihood you\u2019ll get worth for cash.<\/p>\n
Time for a sleep. \ud83e\udee0<\/p>\n
Did you go to Gamescom this 12 months? Have you ever attended earlier than? What was your expertise? Tell us within the feedback beneath.<\/p>\n
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Anthony launched Nintendo Life in late 2005 and has remained on the helm ever since. He loves Nintendo however typically will get confused and tells everybody that F-Zero X is the most effective recreation. We have tried getting him assist, however alas…<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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