“Call of Duty Launches Major Showcase at Gamescom 2025”

The popular video game franchise Call of Duty is set to kick off the Gamescom 2025 trade fair on Tuesday, unveiling a series of highly anticipated releases in a time of uncertainty for the gaming industry. An estimated 5,000 attendees—including game publishers, developers, and fans—will gather for the evening launch ceremony in Cologne, Germany, ahead of a larger influx of gamers expected later in the week.

Canadian television presenter Geoff Keighley will host the showcase starting at 20:00 local time (18:00 GMT), introducing new titles including Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. This event is part of a two-hour presentation highlighting the upcoming blockbuster games from around the industry. Following a business and press day on Wednesday, the festival will open its doors to the public until Sunday, anticipating approximately 1,500 exhibitors and hundreds of thousands of fans. Many attendees are expected to don elaborate costumes representing their favorite game characters.

Last year’s event attracted around 335,000 visitors, but organizers are optimistic that 2025 can return to pre-COVID attendance levels of about 370,000. Felix Falk, managing director of Germany’s GAME industry association, which co-organizes Gamescom, noted, “We’ll only know on the final day how many actually visited, but… the first day is sold out, and all indicators are in the green,” as he stated to AFP prior to the event.

Major Releases and Industry Challenges

One of the key attractions at the Koelnmesse convention center will be the opportunity for hands-on experiences with the latest game releases showcased by major companies. This year, Nintendo returns after a one-year absence, riding on the success of its recently launched Switch 2 console. Meanwhile, Microsoft will display its upcoming portable console, expected to hit the market later this year. In contrast, Sony has opted not to participate in Gamescom 2025.

Among the eagerly awaited games being revealed this year are new installments in the iconic horror franchises Silent Hill and Resident Evil. Additionally, indie sensation Hollow Knight will see a sequel titled Silksong, after an eight-year wait, while Nintendo is developing Metroid Prime 4, a follow-up to the beloved science-fiction action series.

Despite the excitement surrounding the event, industry exhibitors may face challenges as the gaming sector continues to navigate a prolonged rough patch. Falk commented, “The sector hasn’t had an easy time of it in the last two years; there was a lot of consolidation, job cuts, and some studios closed.” Since the beginning of 2023, nearly 30,000 job cuts have been recorded, with over 4,000 occurring this year alone, according to data from the tracking website Game Industry Layoffs.

Nevertheless, the global gaming market is projected to maintain revenue of just under $190 billion in 2025, as forecasted by data firm Newzoo. As the event unfolds, the gaming community will be keenly watching how these developments impact the future of the industry.