Xbox, EA, Activison and more will be at Gamescom 2021

Major game publishers have confirmed their participation in next month’s all-digital Gamescom 2021 event, including Xbox, EA, Sega and Activision.

The full list of confirmed “top international companies” includes 505 Games, Activision, Aerosoft, Assemble Entertainment, Astragon Entertainment, Bandai Namco, Bethesda, Electronic Arts, Gamevil Com2us Europe, Headup, Indie Arena Booth, Koch Media, NExT Studios (Tencent Games), Sega Europe, Team17, Thunderful Games, Ubisoft, Wargaming and Xbox.

In addition, the above companies will be joined by 80 “curated top indie titles”, Gamescom‘s organiser said on Thursday.

Gamescom 2021 will be an all-digital event for the second year running, after its organiser abandoned plans for a hybrid physical show due to ongoing restrictions around the Covid-19 pandemic.

Once again, the digital event will kick off with journalist Geoff Keighley’s Gamescom: Opening Night Live show on Wednesday, August 25, ahead of the main event days on August 26 and August 27.

2020’s Gamescom: Opening Night Live attracted over two million simultaneous viewers, representing a fourfold increase compared to the previous year.

Gamecom says this year’s digital show will encompass a content hub called Gamescom Now, which will include virtual booths, in addition to a roster of live programming from media partners.

The central theme of Gamescom 2021 will be “Games: The New Normal”, the organiser said, which will focus on the potential of games for society, “more games for less money”, and live streaming.

Oliver Frese, COO of organiser Koelnmesse, said in a statement: “Especially in view of the challenges for game production during the Corona pandemic and the much shorter preparation times of a digital event, we’re very delighted about the very impressive list of gamescom partners who are already confirmed.

“With this, the purely digital gamescom with its shows and innovations underlines its great value for the industry and the worldwide gaming community. Together with already confirmed and continuously joining partners, we will continue to bring an exciting and eventful program to millions of gaming fans worldwide in 2021.

“I am already looking forward to celebrating the start of gamescom 2021 and the many premieres of gamescom: Opening Night Live with the entire community on August 25.“