Gamescom 2022: Europe's biggest gaming show returns

pocket-lint.com:

(Pocket-lint) — Gamescom is Europe's answer to E3.

Held annually in Germany until the pandemic pressed the pause button, it has previously been a huge event for gamers with the biggest forthcoming titles on display for press, trade visitors and the public alike.

Now it's coming back, with the 2022 show set to be the first to let visitors tread its halls once more. Here's everything you need to know about it.

Gamescom started in 2009 and was held annually at the Koelnmesse convention centre in Cologne, Germany until the pandemic gripped the world. Because of which, it ran as a virtual-only event in 2020 and 2021.

This is a gaming phone that's been designed from the ground up for the absolute best performance possible.

Now it is set to return, albeit with a digital presence too. Visitors will be invited back to Cologne, while there will be plenty of activity online for those who prefer to stay at home.

It will kick off on Wednesday 24 August and run until Sunday 28 August 2022.

Prior to Covid, the first day was set aside for press and trade visitors only, and we suspect this will be the case once more. The public will then be able to access the show from 25 August.

While several companies traditionally held press conferences and showcases at former Gamescoms, they had dwindled even before the pandemic. We'll include any that we hear about here, but the biggest is likely to be Gamescom: Opening Night Live.

Hosted by The Game Awards' Geoff Keighley the jam-packed, star-studded show even ran as an online-only showcase over the last two years and has been confirmed for 2022 too.

It's still early days for this year's show and the Gamescom organiser is only just starting negotiations with exhibitors. We will update with any