Gamescom 2017

Gamescom is the annual European trade fair in Cologne Germany. Gamescom is the world's 2nd largest gaming event. Around 345,000 visitors, more than 6,000 journalists and 700 exhibitors from 88 countries attend Europe's biggest gaming event.

For those who don't know

Gamescom is the European version of E3 and lasts 4 days, one day is reserved for trade visitors and the media and the other 4 days are open for the public. Gamescom takes place every year around the end of August in Cologne, Germany. The first time the gaming event was organized was in 2010 with 245.000 people attending.

The event has a wide variety of segments

Hardware
Software
Merchandising
Care, cleaning, repair
Telecommunications and internet
Media
Basic and advanced training
Associations/public institutions/service providers
Development

If you are planning to attend, prepare to stand in long lines

The importance of Gamescom

There are probably a lot more Gaming conventions in Europe, like Firstlook in the Netherlands but none compare to the scale of Gamescom. Koelnmesse (Cologne Trade Fair) where the event is held is huge, the size of the fair is 284,000 m², which is a good thing when you have to host close to 350.000 visitors.
A lot of game developers have been saving their big announcements for Gamescom because the event is growing in importance.
All the big players like Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo, Blizzard, EA and Ubisoft take this event very seriously and pull out all the stops to impress the visitors.

Too much to see in 1 day

The event is immense and 1 day simply isn't enough to see everything. Even with meticulous planning you are bound to miss a lot of what's going on. So if you are planning on going buy tickets for at least 2 days. The Koelnmesse is divided into different sections called (hallen), with hallways connecting to the different areas.

One of the sections is entirely dedicated to Merchandise. Here you can shop to your heart`s content and buy every gaming, anime or manga item imaginable. From swords, hentai to Punisher bathrobes

Yes, I said it....bathrobes

The other sections are split into food court, retro gaming, PC and last but not least gaming developers. There even is a family section where parents can relax with their kids and enjoy kid-friendly games.

I saw this beauty last year in the family section.

There are a lot of shows hosted by the developers. Ubisoft always impresses the most with their shows, in the past they have had breakdancers and "Just Dance" contests, usually accompanied by grim looking Assassin's promoting the latest Assassin's Creed game.

Besides Gamers you will also see a lot of Anime Cosplay, there are even Cosplay contests.

One downside to the Cosplay last year was that no-one was allowed to carry fake weapons. This year will be no different and I understand the security precautions but it is kind of strange seeing an Umbrella company squad in full gear without their automatic weapons or a Kirito without his signature swords.

There is even more

As soon as you arrive in Cologne you notice that gamers have taken over the city. There are gamers everywhere you look, gaming advertisement decorating the buildings and many gaming related events taking place.
The city of Cologne is beautiful with many monuments and impressing buildings.

This picture does not really show how impressive this Cathedral really is. Believe me it is huge! On the other side there are steps which are filled with Gamescom visitors day and night during the event.

If you are planning on staying in Cologne you should try the very impressive Hotel im Wasserturm (Hotel in Water Tower). It is an old Water Tower turned into a hotel. It is a 5 star Hotel luxury hotel with split level rooms (suites), the rooms are large and very luxurious. The prices of rooms are high but not too expensive especially if you split the costs because you pay per room (In the Netherlands we are used to paying per person). They have a massage, wellness, fitness room, a chef cook, a restaurant on the top floor overlooking the city, basically every luxury you can imagine. The mini-bar is included in the price and restocked daily. Staying at the Wasserturm is an unique experience.

You can find the occasional celebrity spending the night here

Another place you just-have to visit in Cologne is "die fette kuh" (the fat cow). They serve the best burgers I have ever tasted. Be prepared to stand in a long line (again) though because the place is always packed with almost no place to sit. But believe me, the food is worth it. Their murder burger and chilli fries are to die for.

Gamescom is coming

Gamescom 2017 will take place from 22nd of August to the 26th. I will be in attendance and will supply you with posts about the event. So stay tuned...