Gamescom is Europe's answer to E3.

Held in Germany, it is a huge event for gamers, with the biggest forthcoming titles on display for press, trade visitors and the public alike.

Now it has returned after a hiatus due to the pandemic, so here's everything you need to know about it, including the biggest announcements made so far.

What is Gamescom and when does it run until?

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

Now it is back proper. Visitors are invited back to Cologne, while there is plenty of activity online for those who prefer to stay at home.

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

The first day was set aside for press and trade visitors only, with the public joining the fun from 25 August.

Games 2022 press conferences and livestreams

While several companies traditionally held press conferences and showcases at former Gamescoms, they had dwindled even before the pandemic. There's one still to come though, which you find out about below.

The show kicked off on Tuesday 23 August with Opening Night Live. Hosted by The Game Awards' Geoff Keighley, the jam-packed show showcased more than 30 games in front of a live audience. You can check out the complete list of what was announced right here.

Here is the press conference/livestream still to come:

Awesome Indies Showcase - Friday 26 August 2022

  • US West Coast: 8.30am PDT
  • US East Coast: 11.30am EDT
  • UK: 4.30pm BST
  • Central Europe: 5.30pm CEST
  • Japan: 12.30am JST (27 August)
  • Australia: 1.30am AEST (27 August)

Hosted with IGN, the Awesome Indies show returns to Gamescom and will focus on over 40 indie games for PC and console.

Gamescom 2022: The biggest announcements so far

Throughout the show, we'll be detailing our highlights, including games we've seen on the show floor or titles announced during the several press events. Here are our favourites so far:

DualSense Edge controller for PS5

Sony may not be at the show itself, but its big announcement during the Opening Night Live presentation more than made up for it.

The DualSense Edge is a pro controller, with customisable controls and the ability to save different user profiles. You can also swap out the thumbsticks, as well as change the stick caps and back buttons.

Everywhere

Coming from former Grand Theft Auto developers, Everywhere is a metaverse-style game where you can explore a vast open-world environment, interact with other players and take part in battles or races whenever you fancy.

Hogwarts Legacy

It may have been delayed to next year, but even a pre-orders opening trailer stokes plenty of excitement in this Potterverse RPG.

Dead Island 2

It may have been many years in the making, but Dead Island 2 is coming at last.

It promises to be the goriest, most gratuitous zombie action game to date and we love the idea.

Under the Waves

It may have escaped some people's notice - as it wasn't particularly shouted from the rooftops - but Under the Waves is Quantic Dream's next big title. You can certainly see the studio's DNA in the animation / motion capture quality.

Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game

A huge (pleasant) surprise, Killer Klowns from Outer Space will be a 3v7 hack-and-slash-a-thon by the team behind Friday the 13th: the Game. The big difference is that it's based on one of the most reverred yet silly cult horror movie hits.

Gotham Knights

We've seen plenty of footage of this (non) Batman game before, but the latest trailer focuses on the villains - including the mysetrious Court of Owls. We also found out that the game release has been brought forward to 21 October. Woo-hoo!

Lies of P

Lies of P has created quite a bit of buss since its debut during Opening Night LIve. Based on the tale of Pinocchio, the action RPG has a very interesting art style and a triple-A aura that belies its relatively humble development.

Moonbreaker

Not what you'd expect from Subnautica developer, Unknown Worlds, Moonbreaker is a miniatures strategy game, like a Games Workshop tabletop set but entirely new and virtual. We like that you can even paint your miniatures to customise them in-game.

The Callisto Protocol

While we await the actual Dead Space remake with bated breath, The Callisto Protocol is very much looking like the spiritual successor. Striking Distance is seemingly doing a great job with this sci-fi survival horror, as the latest gameplay trailer attests.

Sonic Frontiers

There may have been a bit of a hoo-hah surrounding the realistic looking landscapes shown in previous trailers, but the latest shows that the spirit of Sonic will remain. Probably.

Return to Monkey Island

We cannot wait for Ron Gilbert's sequel to our favourite adventure game series and, as it turns out, we won't have to. Not long, at least. It will be released on 19 September 2022 and, as a pre-order bonus, you can get yourself horse armour that will just sit in your inventory but actually not do anything. Brilliant.

PGA Tour 2K23

While EA Sports kicks its heels over its own official PGA golf game, 2K Games is following up its own hugely popular outing on 11 October 2022. It has Tiger Woods on the front, a course designer, and a whole load of extra goodies.

High On Life

From the tickled mind Ricky and Morty creator Justin Roiland, High On Life is a first-person shooter that doesn't take itself too seriously.

The weapons can talk (and swear) and the humour throughout is everything you'd expect from the writer behind one of the funniest adult cartoon series around.

Forspoken

A full 10-minute gameplay trailer debuted at the show. It's shaping up to be a big, bombastic action-adventure with stunning graphics and great female lead character. This is definitely one to watch.