Gamescom 2021 is officially a wrap and what an virtual gaming event it was. In case you missed it we've rounded up all the big announcements including a brand new Saints Row game, release dates for games like Halo Infinite and Horizon Zero Dawn: Forbidden West, a preview and new details for Elden Ring, and an XCOM-style Marvel game. And that's all just the tip of the iceberg for an exceedingly exciting Gamescom. See below for even more Gamescom news announcements and highlights below from this year. If there's anything and everything you wanted to know about Gamescom 2021, you've come to the right place.
When is Gamescom 2021?
Gamescom 2021 will take place from Wednesday, August 25 to Friday, August 27.
Gamescom 2021 Schedule
Xbox Stream – Tuesday, August 24 at 10am – 12pm PTGamescom Day 1 – Wednesday, August 25 at 10:30am – 3pm PTGamescom Opening Night Live! Pre-Show – Wednesday, August 25 at 10:30am PTGamescom Opening Night Live Aftershow – Wednesday, August 25 at 1:00pm PTGamescom: Opening Night Live – Wednesday, August 25 at 11am PTGamescom Day 2 – Thursday, August 26 at 10am – 4pm PTDying 2 Know Gamescom Edition – Thursday, August 26 at 11:00am PTAwesome Indies – Thursday, August 26 at 11:30am – 1pm PTFuture Games Show at Gamescom – Thursday, August 26 at 1PM PTGamescom Day 3 – Friday, August 27 at 10am – 3pm PTGamescom Wrap-up Show – Friday, August 27 at 2:30pm PT
How to watch Gamescom 2021
Like last year, Gamescom 2021 will be an online-only event. Gamescom 2021 was originally announced as a hybrid digital and physical event earlier in the year. However, the event organizer Koelnmesse later announced it would be all-digital after all. IGN will be carrying all of Gamescom so you can catch all the events, showcases, and announcements right on our homepage.
Here’s the full list of places you can watch the Gamescom 2021 Streams:
- IGN.com (homepage)
- IGN's Twitter
- IGN's Twitch Channel
- IGN's YouTube Channel
- IGN's iOS App
- IGN's Android App
- IGN's Xbox One App
- Roku
- IGN App for Android TV
- IGN App for Amazon Fire TV
- Apple TV
- IGN1 on Samsung TV Plus
- Pluto TV
Biggest Gamescom 2021 Announcements So Far
Gamescom 2021 is might be over but check out all the exciting announcements Opening Night Live and Gamescom 2021 Xbox Stream below. Plus there were even more big reveals throughout the week, which we've collated for your reading pleasure. We've been updating this section each day, to ensure you don't miss a thing.
Halo Infinite Release Date Revealed Alongside New Multiplayer Trailer
Halo Infinite's campaign and multiplayer will officially be released on December 8, 2021. The release date was revealed alongside a multiplayer trailer focused on Commander Laurette Agryna, who will be one of the main characters featured in the first season of Halo Infinite's multiplayer.
Alongside revealing the launch date, Microsoft also confirmed that there will be both a special Halo Infinite Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 and a limited-edition Halo Infinite Xbox Series X that will be released in celebration of Halo's 20th anniversary.
Elden Ring: The First Preview and New Details Revealed
Not only did we get our first 15-minute hands-off preview of Elden Ring, but we learned how the game's new summoning mechanic won't make the game easier, how the in-game text is being written by Miyazaki and not George R.R. Martin, and how Elden Ring's lore will be discovered by interactive with important NPCs.
We've also broken down everything we've learned from that 15-minute preview in one video that you can check out here.
Marvel's Midnight Suns, Firaxis' Marvel XCOM Game, Officially Announced
Marvel's Midnight Suns is a new strategy game from Firaxis Games that looks to be a superpowered version of the studio's XCOM franchise. While the game will feature customizable superheroes, it will also feature iconic Marvel characters like Iron Man, Wolverine, Captain America, Captain Marvel, and more.
The game is set to be released in March 2022 and the first gameplay will be revealed on September 1, 2021.
Marvel's Midnight Suns: Dev Explains Comics & Characters That Inspired the Game
While we still have yet to see gameplay of Marvel's Midnight Suns, the game's creative director Jake Solomon spoke to IGN about which comic books and characters inspired the game, including Rise of the Midnight Sons, Ghost Rider & Blaze: Spirits of Vengence, and characters like Nico from the Runaways and Robbie Reyes' Ghost Rider.
Saints Row Reboot Arriving in February 2022
A brand-new Saints Row will be released on February 25, 2022, for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC and the first trailer gives fans a look at the new city of Santo Ileso, which appears to take inspiration from the American Southwest. There are three main gangs in this new reboot of Saints Row and Opening Night Live also shared the first glimpse of gameplay footage.
We also got a behind-closed-doors look at Saints Row gameplay and it looks to take a similar tone to Saints Row 3 as opposed to the GTA-like first two entries and "over-the-top ridiculousness of the most recent two."
New Saints Row Gameplay Shows Off Laser Gun Battles and ‘Keep It Strange’ Motto
Following its official reveal, Volition and Deep Silver have shown off new gameplay of the new Saints Row that highlights the game's mix of both wild and grounded natures.
Horizon Forbidden West Confirmed to Have a 2022 Release Date
The game has been delayed out of 2021, but Guerrilla Games revealed fans won't have to wait too long as Horizon Forbidden West will be released on PS5 and PS4 on February 18, 2022.
To help with the wait, Guerrilla Games has released a 60 FPS patch for Horizon Zero Dawn on PS5.
Extended Look of Call of Duty: Vanguard Campaign Revealed
Opening Night Live gave us a brand-new look at Call of Duty: Vanguard's campaign and Polina – one of its main characters.
Deathloop: The Final Preview
The PlayStation 5 and PC exclusive Deathloop is set to arrive on September 14, and we were able to play the first six or so hours of the game so we can share our final impressions before launch day.
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga Gets a New Gameplay Trailer and a Spring 2022 Release Window
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga got a brand-new gameplay trailer and a Spring 2022 release window. This follows the game's delay from Spring 2021, and this extra time will surely give TT Games a chance to make a game worthy of that galaxy far, far away.
Death Stranding: Director's Cut Shows Off Its New Items, Features, and Missions (Including a Jetpack)
Death Stranding: Director's Cut will be released on September 24 and this latest trailer showed off some of the new items, features, and missions players can look forward to when they jump back into the game that was first released in 2019.
Forza Horizon 5 Begins With You Helidropping Into a Volcano
Forza Horizon 5's showcase introduction was revealed at Gamescom 2021 and it all begins with players helidropping into the game's Gran Caldera volcano with the 2021 Ford Bronco Badlands. The rest of the intro features other cars like the Mercedes AMG-1, a dust storm, a jungle filled with flamingos, and much more.
Forza Horizon 5's Events Lab Mode Is So Open the Developers Are Nervous About It
We were able to speak to Forza Horizon 5's creative director Mike Brown about not only how this latest entry is pushing tech and features forward, but about how its Event Lab mode is so open that it's making the team nervous as they can't truly predict what players might think up with it.
Metroid Dread – Official Trailer 2
While not technically a part of Gamescom, Nintendo decided to reveal a brand-new look at the upcoming Metroid Dread ahead of its release date on October 8, 2021.
Giants Uprising's Cinematic Trailer Is Incredible
Giants Uprising's cinematic trailer has taken the internet by storm with its impressive visuals and action. In this game, you are a giant who has been newly freed from enslavement at the hands of humans, and your goal is to get revenge on those who wronged you. A demo is available now on Steam and the game will enter Steam Early Access on November 2, 2021.
Dying Light 2 Gets a New Gameplay Trailer
2021, got a brand-new gameplay trailer that showcased a ton of in-game footage and first-person parkour action. We get a glimpse of some of the different factions players will be facing off against, a grappling hook that will help with traversing around the city, and a new move involving using enemies to help cushion your fall. You will be able to vault off enemies and use different attacks while protecting yourself from taking damage from a big fall.
Techland also revealed that Dying Light: Platinum Edition will be headed to Nintendo Switch later this year and will contain "over 100 hours of gameplay for a single playthrough."
JETT: The Far Shore Captures the Wonder of Exploration
JETT: The Far Shore will be released for PS5, PS4, and PC on October 5, and we were able to spend a few hours with the PC build of the newest game from Sword and Sorcery developers Superbrothers.
Xbox Cloud Gaming Coming to Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One in Holiday 2021
Xbox Cloud Gaming will arrive on Xbox Series X/S and Xbox in Holiday 2021 for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers and will allow for users to play 100+ games from the cloud on their consoles. Microsoft is also targeting to have these games reach 1080p/60 FPS.
April O'Neil is a Playable Character in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge
The microphone-wielding journalist April O'Neil will be one of the playable characters in the upcoming Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge.
Nickelodeon's Smash Bros-Alike Adds April O'Neil and CatDog
If that wasn't enough April O'Neil for you, it was also announced that O'Neil and CatDog are the latest fighters in Nickelodeon All-Stars Brawl.
Amazon's New World Open Beta Announced, Post-Launch Plans Teased
Amazon's upcoming MMO New World will get an open beta from September 9-12 ahead of its September 28 release date.
Ghostrunner: Wave Mode, Assist Mode, and New DLC Get Release Date
Ghostrunner's Wave Mode and Assist Mode will officially arrive on August 31 alongside a pack of neon-themed cosmetics. For those unfamiliar, Wave Mode is a roguelike-take on Ghostrunner that has players attempting too get through 20 waves of enemies using randomized upgrades. Assist Mode, on the other hand, will make the game easier for those who just want to experience the story and the game's world.
Soulstice: Developers Break Down the First Exclusive Gameplay
Soulstice is a hack-and-slash adventure game featuring a superhuman and her ghost sister. IGN got a sneak peek at the first-ever exclusive gameplay and a full breakdown from the game's director Fabio Pagetti and producer Samuele Perseo.
Blasphemous Sequel Coming in 2023, New DLC Revealed
The dark fantasy action-platformer Blasphemous is not only getting a story-concluding update in Wounds of Eventide later this year, but it will also get a full-fledged sequel in 2023.
Small Soldiers-Inspired Shooter Hypercharge: Unboxed to Get a Campaign Mode
Hypercharge: Unboxed takes clear inspiration from Small Soldiers and has players become action figures fighting battles in arenas that take place in a normal house setting. The game will be getting a PvE campaign mode that adds a bit of story to the shooter gameplay.
Stylish Shooter Severed Steel Gets September Release Date
The stylish first-person shooter Severed Steel will not only be released on PC on September 17, but it will also come to PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch before the end of 2021. Taking inspirations from games like Mirror's Edge and Black, the action in Severed Steel consists of wall-running, diving, sliding, flipping, and using bullet-time to traverse a fully destructible environment to take out enemies.
The Waylanders, a Celtic Myth-Inspired RPG, Gets a November Release Date
The party-based RPG The Waylanders is inspired by Celtic myth and legend and will be released on November 16, 2021. The Waylanders was released in Steam Early Access in 2020 and the full game promises a 40-hour adventure.
Dream Cycle: Lara Croft Creator's New Game Features Over 10,000 Different Levels
Toby Gard, the creator of Tomb Raider's Lara Croft, is leading the charge on a new game called Dream Cycle that is described as a "psychedelic adventure where players can slash, shoot, and loot their way through over 10,000 very mysterious and crazy worlds."
Gamescom 2021 Full Schedule
So far Gamescom looks like a jampacked show with many game studios and publishers in attendance for its virtual gaming conference. On top of that, there's a long list of indie studios including Akupara Games, Draw Distance, and Numskull Games just to name a few. Here's a list of the big everything you'll be able to see at the show so far.
Wednesday, August 25
10:30am PDT / 7:30pm CEST — Gamescom Opening Night Live! Pre-Show
Be sure to tune in early to catch exciting reveals and teases before the big show kicks off!
11:00am PDT / 8:00pm CEST — Gamescom Opening Night Live
Geoff Keighley’s Opening Night Live is one of gaming’s biggest events of the year loaded with exclusive reveals of world class titles and IGN will be on hand directly after the showcase for a closer look at the biggest announcements and in-depth analysis of the best reveals of the night.
1:00pm PDT / 10:00pm CEST — Gamescom Opening Night Live Aftershow
Stick around after the show for the Gamescom ONL Aftershow so you don’t miss any of the exciting reveals, deeper dives, gameplay, and developer interviews covering the most exciting announcements from Opening Night Live.
Thursday August 26
10:00am PDT / 7:00pm CEST — Gamescom Studio
IGN’s cast of expert hosts bring you the best of what this year’s digital Gamescom has to offer. Gamescom Studio Live from LA offers first looks at gameplay, developer interviews, and expert analysis of the biggest news and events with access you won't find anywhere else. This year’s coverage is hosted from IGN’s brand new state-of-the-art studio allowing for real time connections to developers, influencers, and fans.
Vizor Games — Blood of Heroes Exclusive Trailer and Developer InterviewPassion Republic Games – GigaBash Official Trailer
10:30am PDT / 7:30pm CEST
Unannounced Developer InterviewUnannounced Developer Interview
11:00am PDT / 8:00pm CEST
Techland – Dying Light 2 Stay Human — Dying 2 Know Gamescom Edition
11:30am – 1pm PDT / 8:30pm CEST – 10:00pm CEST: Awesome Indies
Gamescom: Awesome Indies will focus on hotly awaited indie titles, hosted once again by IGN’s own Michael Swaim, who will present all the exclusive reveals, comedy bits, and other surprises direct from Venice Beach. Don’t miss all the fun featuring over 40 games from the indie scene, including:
Announcements and Reveals
Big Sugar – Exclusive Unannounced Game RevealTeam17 – Exclusive RevealGoblinz Studio – Exclusive Unannounced Game RevealBatterystaple Games – Exclusive 30XX RevealDigerati – Exclusive Unannounced Game RevealMechanistry – Exclusive Timberborn RevealVestGames – Eville Showcase and Ghost Gameplay RevealGoblinz Publishing – Exclusive Unannounced Game RevealGato Salvaje Studio – Exclusive The Waylanders Release Date RevealTownscaper – Secret Townscaper Announcement
Deep Dives and Walkthroughs
Hooded Horse and Stutter Fox Studios – Falling Frontier Exclusive Developer OverviewFrontier Developments – FAR: Changing Tides Developer Deep DiveSoda Den & Crytivo – Roots of Pacha Gameplay Walkthrough
Trailer Premieres
Draw Distance – Serial Cleaners Full Characters Reveal TrailerModern Wolf – Cantata Exclusive Gameplay TrailerWhisper Interactive – Squadron 51 Official Trailer RevealZelArt and HypeTrain Digital – There is No Light Exclusive Release Trailer RevealCatchweight Studio – CONSCRIPT Exclusive Extended TrailerHatinh Interactive – Exclusive Tandem A Tale of Shadows Gamescom TrailerWhisper Interactive – tERRORbane Official Trailer RevealYou Suck at Parking – Exclusive Gameplay TrailerKlabater – The Amazing American Circus Exclusive TrailerTentworks Interactive – City Block Builder TrailerFlazm and META Publishing – Time Loader Exclusive Trailer RevealRock&Bushes – Jupiter Moons: Mecha Gameplay TrailerProxy Studios – ZEPHON Exclusive Teaser TrailerSerenity Forge – Gameplay Trailer for Arcadian AtlasKoch Media – Exclusive Dice Legacy Launch TrailerRedhill Games – Nine to Five Exclusive Announcement TrailerEremite Games – Against the Storm Official Release Date TrailerBig Pants – Endlight Exclusive TrailerGoblinz Publishing – Diluvian Winds Gameplay TrailerVixa Games – The Crackpet Show Gameplay TrailereBrain Studio and Yooreka Studio – Loopmancer Gameplay TrailerYoung Wolf Interactive – Nura's Wish Gameplay Trailer
1:00pm PDT / 10:00pm CEST — Gamescom Studio
OverBorder Studio and Team17 – Thymesia Exclusive Release Date RevealPrehistoric Kingdom – Beta Announcement TrailerElysium Game Studio – Exclusive Shadow of Conspiracy Section 2 Gameplay Reveal TrailerPixile and Modus Games — Super Animal Royale Deep DiveUnannounced Game Developer Walkthrough
1:30pm PDT / 10:30pm CEST
505 Games and Kunos Simulazioni – Exclusive RevealKoch Media – The Last Oricru World Premier TrailerToukana Interactive and Dorfromantik – Exclusive Creative Mode RevealReply Game Studios and Modus Games – Soulstice Developer Interview
2:00pm PDT / 11:00pm CEST
META Publishing and Owlcat Games – Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous Exclusive Trailer RevealToplitz Productions and Rendercube – Medieval Dynasty Developer WalkthroughOTA IMON Studios – Wolfstride Gameplay WalkthroughCreative Assembly – Mythos – A Total War Saga: Troy Trailer and Developer Interview
2:30pm PDT / 11:30pm CEST
Weird Beluga Studio – Clid The Snail Release Trailer
3:30pm PDT / 12:30am CEST August 27th — Next-Gen Console Watch Live
Join Game Scoop!’s Daemon Hatfield, Beyond!’s Jonathon Dornbush, and Unlocked’s Ryan McCaffrey as they dive into all the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S announcements coming out of Gamescom 2021.
Friday, August 27
10:00am PDT / 7:00pm CEST — Game Scoop! Live
IGN’s Tina Amini, Kat Bailey, Samuel Claiborn, and host Daemon Hatfield give you the scoop on all the breaking news from Gamescom 2021!
11:00am PDT / 8:00pm CEST — Gamescom Studio
- Bloober Team and Koch Media – The Medium Exclusive PS5 Trailer
- Digital Cybercherries – Exclusive Hypercharge: Unboxed Campaign Teaser Reveal
- Digerati – Exclusive Severed Steel PC Release Date Announcement
- Code Three Fifty One – Project Haven Exclusive Gameplay Trailer
- Gamious – Lake Game Director Commentary
11:30am PDT / 8:30pm CEST
- Ratloop Games, Frontier Foundry, and Corey Kasperski – Lemnis Gate Exclusive Reveal and Gameplay Deep Dive
- Nekki – Spine Trailer Reveal
- 2P Games – DYING: 1983 Official Gameplay Trailer
- Dreamplant & All in! Games – Arboria Official Trailer
- One More Level and 505 Games – Exclusive Ghostrunner DLC Trailer
- The Farm 51 and All in! Games – Chernobylite “Tatyana Wedding Vows” Trailer
- Jutsu Games and Modus Games – Rustler Overview Trailer
12:00pm PDT / 9:00pm CEST — Beyond! Live
IGN's weekly PlayStation show, Podcast Beyond!, will be covering some of the biggest reveals and deep dives from the show. PlayStation may not have its own showcase, and whether or not they make a surprise appearance throughout the show, host Jonathon Dornbush, Brian Altano, Lucy O'Brien, and Max Scoville will discuss any major third-party reveals of upcoming PS4 and PS5 games, our favorite games from the show, and more.
1:00pm / 10:00pm CEST — Gamescom Studio
- Lost Pilgrims Studio – Vagrus The Riven Realms Exclusive Trailer And Launch Date Reveal
- Freedom Games – Airborne Kingdom Exclusive Console Release Date Reveal
- ROTU Entertainment – Rhythm of the Universe: IONIA Exclusive Trailer, Release Date Reveal
- Foxy Voxel – Going Medieval Upcoming Features Exclusive Sneak Peek
- IllFonic – Arcadegeddon Gameplay Developer Walkthrough
1:30pm PDT / 10:30pm CEST
- Manticore Games – Core Exclusive Game Reveal and Gameplay Trailer
- Dark Deity – Exclusive Reveal Trailer
- Sindex – SciGirl: The Internship Gameplay Reveal
- Green Man Gaming Publishing and Erik Rempen – Exclusive Kainga: Seeds of Civilization Gameplay Walkthrough
2:00pm PDT / 11:00pm CEST
- Enlightened Robot Entertainment – Naser: Son of Man Trailer
- Headup Games – Headup Games Showcase
- 505 Games – Grow: Song of the Evertree First Look
2:30pm PDT / 11:30pm CEST — Gamescom Wrap-up Show
Join us as we look back at the biggest moments from Gamescom 2021! Covering our favorite announcements, trailers, gameplay, and developer deep dives while we wrap up another great year for the biggest games show in the world!
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