Gamescom is nearly upon us, with just a week until things kick off in earnest. As is tradition, known man Geoff Keighley will be taking to the stage to share a news and new trailers for a bunch of games under the banner of Opening Night Live. It’s always an exciting look into the future and if you’re lucky enough to be present at Gamescom a night worth showing up to. For everyone else, of course, you can expect to catch all of the action streamed across the globe as it happens.
What you maybe shouldn’t expect though, is much in the way of brand-new game announcements at this year’s event. Ol’ Geoffrey loves a “World Premiere” almost as much as he loves holding a microphone, but in a chat with VGC about Opening Night Live 2023 he was quick to temper folks’ excitement for fresh reveals.
“It’s going to be an exciting show with new looks at many announced upcoming games like Alan Wake 2, and Black Myth: Wukong,” Keighley told the outlet. “This year’s ONL is less about announcing brand new projects, and more about giving fans updates on some of the biggest games due out over the next year.”
Just over one week until we are live in Germany for @gamescom Opening Night Live on Tuesday, August 22.
Thousands of fans, lots of games — it's going to be a fun night! pic.twitter.com/mSmIMZa5aM
— Geoff Keighley (@geoffkeighley) August 13, 2023
Keighley cited the challenge of producing a show in Germany – the only European event his team is responsible for – as well as the synergy needed between ONL features and the games and teams actually present on the show floor for Gamescom as some of the reasons why this particular showcase is a unique challenge versus something like Summer Game Fest or The Game Awards.
The appearance of Black Myth: Wukong is certainly going to excite anyone who’s been holding out for more information on the action RPG from Chinese indie developer Game Science. The game was announced back in 2020 but new looks have been sporadic, and the game’s release window has been pushed back from 2023 to 2024 – though it’s also been the subject of scrutiny after remarks from the Game Science’s CEO and evidence of the studio’s work culture caused Chinese players and internet users to push back on a male-dominated gaming culture in the country.
