It’s that point of 12 months when it is enjoyable to simply wildly speculate (and make some educated deductions) about what we’d see from Geoff Keighley’s Opening Evening Stay, direct from gamescom 2026. Little is thought forward of time this 12 months – just a few video games and studios have been teased, however for probably the most half the present is a whole thriller, and so this provides me loads of room to dream about what surprises the present could have in retailer.
Going down on August 25 at 11am PT/2pm ET/8pm CEST, right here’s how to watch the stream. Let’s not waste any extra time, although, and get straight into what to count on from it.
What We Know
It’s going to be an enormous night time for a few the most well-liked RPGs to ever exist. We’re formally getting our first have a look at The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Songs of the Previous, the third growth to Geralt’s landmark journey, coming a complete 12 years after the bottom recreation’s launch. Co-developed by CD Projekt Purple and Idiot’s Principle, it’s being described as a prologue of types to the upcoming The Witcher 4. Quickly, the thriller behind the brand new, third sword Geralt is holding within the art work could also be revealed, in addition to loads extra followers are keen to be taught all about, together with the growth’s location and when in The Witcher timeline Songs of the Previous is about.
Talking of outdated video games being revisited, we’ll be getting one other have a look at Remaining Fantasy 7 Revelation, the final a part of Sq. Enix’s remake trilogy. The venture’s director, Naoki Hamaguchi, shall be in attendance to present us what’s subsequent for Cloud and the gang, however what precisely may we see? June’s SGF gave us a wholesome dose of Highwind motion, exhibiting off how we’ll have the ability to skydive from the long-lasting airship down to any a part of the open world we select, in addition to glimpses into how new get together members Vincent Valentine and Cid will management in fight. So, what’s subsequent? Maybe a deeper dive into one or each of these characters, or perhaps a extra story-focused sneak peek?
We do know that story is strictly what we’ll be seeing extra of from Gears of Battle: E-Day, although. A model new trailer for the prequel shall be proven at ONL, which is able to, presumably, embody Marcus Fenix slicing up some Locusts. Recreation of Thrones: Battle for Westeros could have its gameplay reveal trailer proven off, too. The true-time technique recreation places you answerable for one of many fantasy collection’ main forces, from the Starks to the Evening King’s White Walkers, as you try to rewrite Westeros historical past.
Different video games confirmed for the present embody Ananta, an upcoming free-to-play open-world recreation from NetEase that appears to be incorporating all types of motion into its futuristic metropolis setting. It actually seems to be very bold, and we’re eager to see extra, together with, hopefully, a reveal of its launch date. Then there’s Ontos, a brand new sci-fi horror recreation from Soma and Amnesia studio, Frictional Video games. Starring Stellan Skarsgård as one of many occupants of its creepy lunar lodge referred to as Samsara, we’re intrigued to discover out extra. Motion RPG Showa American Story can be set to present up, with a brand new have a look at the sport that locations you within the sneakers of a stuntwoman exploring a post-apocalyptic United States. It will likely be joined by Stage Tour, the rhythm recreation aiming to decide up the place Guitar Hero and Rock Band left off. Then there’s Mewgenics, for which a musical efficiency is deliberate on stage. May some kind of announcement be made for the cat-based ways recreation? DLC or a console launch, perhaps?
Hopes and Desires
Now for the enjoyable half. What reveals and surprises could await us at ONL? Nicely, there are a complete host of video games coming in September that will presumably love to stand out within the crowd. An enormous stage like that is the right alternative. These embody Marvel’s Wolverine, Management Resonant, Silent Hill: Townfall, Onimusha: Method of the Sword, The Blood of Dawnwalker, and Fireplace Emblem: Fortune’s Weave, to title however just a few. New trailers for all of those are distinct potentialities.
Transferring into October, Name of Obligation has considerably of a convention of turning up at gamescom to exhibit a slice of motion. Fashionable Warfare 4 is that this 12 months’s providing from Infinity Ward, and is at the moment out there to play in beta. Additionally due in October is Phantom Blade Zero. We did simply get a chunky have a look at it on the latest State of Play, however we wouldn’t be shocked to see much more of its flashy sword fight right here.
Trying past this 12 months, Fable is about to be one in every of 2027’s largest video games, and we’d love one other have a look at Playground Video games’ reboot. Much more gameplay can be a deal with, particularly an perception into the RPG’s fight. We’ve seen quite a lot of the world and the individuals residing it; now, let’s see how we are able to kill them. I think about there’ll even be a good variety of individuals dying in Metro 2039, in what seems to be just like the shooter collection’ darkest chapter but. With it supposedly coming early subsequent 12 months, a very good have a look at gameplay can be welcomed.
What different video games would you want to see pop up? Maybe God of Battle Laufey? Exodus? In case you’re feeling notably bold, maybe Persona 6 or the Ocarina of Time remake? And no, there gained’t be any GTA 6. That’s two days afterward Netflix.
Tell us within the feedback about what you’re most enthusiastic about at gamescom’s Opening Evening Stay present, going down on August 25, 2026 at 11am PT/2pm ET/8pm CEST.
Simon Cardy is a Senior Editor at IGN who can primarily be discovered skulking round open world video games, indulging in Korean cinema, or despairing on the state of Tottenham Hotspur and the New York Jets. Comply with him on Bluesky at @cardy.bsky.social.