Gamescom 2026 began with a packed Opening Night Live showcase featuring new games, release dates, gameplay reveals, and a few unexpected returns. Hosted by Geoff Keighley in Cologne, the two-hour main show covered everything from Final Fantasy VII Revelation and Gears of War: E-Day to new projects from HoYoverse, Ubisoft, and Paradox.
The biggest surprise was saved for last. CD Projekt Red closed the show by announcing The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered, a free upgrade arriving in September, before showing more of the upcoming Songs of the Past expansion.
This roundup covers the announcements from the Opening Night Live main show and pre-show. More news is expected throughout Gamescom, which runs from August 26 to 30.
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Every games announced at Gamescom 2026 release dates
Here are the games and updates that received confirmed dates or release windows during the showcase.
The Witcher 3 closed the show with two big updates
CD Projekt Red delivered the night's biggest surprise with The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered. The upgrade launches September 29 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, with a Nintendo Switch 2 version also planned. It will be free for existing owners and adds upgraded visuals, smoother combat, new finishers, and a redesigned ability system.
The studio also made Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine free for players who own the base game. That gives returning players the complete existing adventure before the third expansion arrives.
The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past then received new in-game footage. The 2027 expansion introduces a new region, monsters, quests, and a chain weapon for Geralt. It is being co-developed by CD Projekt Red and Fool's Theory for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.
Major games coming in 2026
Several of the show's biggest games are only weeks away. The Blood of Dawnwalker, Rebel Wolves' vampire action RPG, launches September 3 and received a new gameplay-focused trailer. Remedy also brought another look at Control Resonant, which follows Dylan Faden through a warped Manhattan when it arrives September 24.
Xbox premiered a new campaign trailer for Gears of War: E-Day, including the first look at the Locust leader behind the invasion. The prequel launches October 6 for Xbox Series X|S and PC. Konami also confirmed that Silent Hill: Townfall will arrive September 24 after revealing more of its cast and fog-covered setting.
Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy received a final trailer ahead of its August 27 launch. The prequel follows Sophia before the events of A Plague Tale: Requiem and will be available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.
Ubisoft returned to the Glade of Dreams with Rayman Legends Retold. The 3D reimagining launches October 1 with a new story, voiced cinematics, an additional realm, and new musical stages. Meanwhile, Aion 2 was dated for October 5, and Path of Exile 2 will leave Early Access with its free-to-play 1.0 release on December 11.
Other dated announcements included Stage Tour, a new rhythm game launching December 10 with more than 90 licensed songs and 180 collectible guitars, and console versions of Mewgenics for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2 on September 8. Transport Fever 3 also locked in a September 29 release.
Ananta, Exodus, and the Biggest 2027 Games
NetEase and Naked Rain confirmed that Ananta will launch globally on January 15, 2027, for PC, PS5, iOS, and Android. Its latest trailer introduced Chongxiao, a second open-world city filled with side activities, recruitable characters, and several ways to travel.
Archetype Entertainment dated Exodus for April 7, 2027. The sci-fi RPG's new trailer focused on its companions, including Salt, a talking octopus who fights from a mech suit. The game continues to lean on player choices, relationships, and time dilation as central parts of its story.
Square Enix brought Final Fantasy VII Revelation, the final game in the remake trilogy, back to the stage with a spring 2027 window. The trailer showed Ruby, Emerald, and Ultima Weapon, along with submarine and airship combat. It also highlighted the FITS system, which gives each party member class-inspired outfits and new combat roles.
Gamescom Opening Night Live 2026: Every Game Announced
Other games targeting 2027 included Rainbow Six Tactics, Ubisoft's turn-based single-player spinoff; Warlock: Dungeons & Dragons, an action RPG built around swordplay, spells, and a pact with Tasha; and Metro 2039, which launches in February with another bleak journey through the tunnels and wasteland.
Game of Thrones: War for Westeros showed its large-scale strategy gameplay and a possible Night King victory, while Neon Giant's No Law offered another look at its open-world cyber-grunge FPS. Crazy Taxi: World Tour revealed multiplayer, and Turok: Origins moved to spring 2027 with a new story trailer.
New games and unexpected reveals
HoYoverse opened the main show with Nodusfall, a darker co-op fantasy action game built around supernatural powers and large enemies. No platforms or release date were announced. The publisher later switched to a much lighter mood with Petit Planet, its cosy life sim planned for winter 2026.
Ubisoft announced Heroes of Might and Magic III Remake, which will rebuild Restoration of Erathia, Armageddon's Blade, and The Shadow of Death. It does not have a release date yet, but wishlisting is open.
Paradox Development Studio revealed Afterworld, a post-apocalyptic grand strategy game set in America. Paradox also introduced LEGO Skylines, a brick-built take on city management from the team behind Cities: Skylines.
Krafton unveiled PUBG: DED.NET, a PvP FPS set in a fictional 1996 version of the Pacific Northwest. Its roguelite structure carries progression across a series of matches, and closed beta registration is now open.
The strangest crossover belonged to Hitman World of Assassination. Snoop Dogg stars as The Herbalist, a new Celebrity Elusive Target available free from August 27 through September 26. Players will need access to the Haven Island location to enter the mission.
Frictional Games also showed the first gameplay from Ontos. The science-fiction horror game features Stellan Skarsgard and centers on experiments involving transferred consciousness. Elsewhere, Daniel Mullins Games dated the genre-bending Pony Island 2: Panda Circus for April 27, 2027.
More trailers and updates from Opening Night Live
The rest of the main show moved quickly through new footage, casting news, and shorter announcements:
- Crimson Desert Enhanced revealed a free update with additional story content, gameplay improvements, and expanded voice support.
- Tides of Annihilation introduced Angela Sant'Albano as the new voice of Gwendolyn.
- Sea of Remnants showed ship combat, exploration, and its puppet-inspired visual style, with pre-registration now open.
- Lofsöng debuted as a dialogue-free adventure built around memory, geometry, and sound.
- Mega Man: Dual Override showed new gameplay ahead of its 2027 release.
- Dust: Origins was announced by Wayfinder and Darksiders Genesis developer Airship Syndicate.
- 1001: Threads of Mizan showed its Arabian Nights-inspired world and confirmed a playable Gamescom demo.
- Silver Palace received a new mystery-focused trailer.
- Monster Hunter Outlanders appeared with new mobile gameplay.
- Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 received a launch trailer after releasing for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S on August 25. Its Nintendo Switch 2 version remains set for fall 2026.
- 1666: Amsterdam showed a new trailer and is available in Early Access now.
- Showa American Story, Project Zeta, Cinder City, Zoopunk, The Defiant, Tarae the Unbound, and Like or Die all received new footage.
- Road Kings was dated for March 11, 2027, while Gravhounds confirmed an Early Access launch in 2026.
- Exterminauts was announced as a co-op shooter with wishlisting available now.
- There Are No Ghosts at the Grand showed more of its musical horror and hotel-renovation gameplay ahead of a late 2026 release.
- Roco Kingdom announced a closed beta beginning October 27.
- Once Human appeared with a new promotional trailer.
Everything announced during the pre-show
Opening Night Live's pre-show added another group of reveals before the main event:
- Worms: Galactic Tactics brings turn-based strategy to the long-running series in 2027.
- Train Sim World 7 launches September 15, 2026.
- RollerCoaster Tycoon: Wonderworks was announced as a new theme park management game.
- Aniimo received a new creature-collecting trailer.
- Demigods: Nezha showed fantasy action built around Chinese mythology.
- Perceptum targets spring 2027 with first-person horror.
- Acornia: Mirror World is a cute action roguelike and shop-management game arriving in 2027.
- Valor Mortis returned with more of its Napoleonic-era Soulslike combat.
- TankRat was revealed as a machine-focused action game from Kepler Interactive.
- Murals is a new puzzle adventure from the team behind Disney Illusion Island, due in 2027.
- Humankind 2 was announced by Amplitude Studios for 2027.
- Elta: Defy All Gods launches in early 2027.
- Age Twisters was revealed as a two-player co-op adventure centered on a parent and child.
- Onimusha: Way of the Sword received an expanded demo with a new duel.
- Mariachi Legends launches April 27, 2027.
Gamescom 2026 has only just started
Opening Night Live delivered a busy release calendar, but the show floor is where many of these games will get their first extended hands-on coverage. Public admission begins August 27, and Gamescom continues through August 30, so more trailers, interviews, and announcements are still to come.
For now, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered was the clear closing surprise, while Final Fantasy VII Revelation, Exodus, Ananta, and Gears of War: E-Day gave players several firm dates to add to the calendar.
