Gamescom Opening Night Live 2026 report - all the news and announcements as Witcher 3 expansion Songs of the Past shown for first time

Gamescom Opening Night Live 2026 delivered a packed two-hour showcase on August 25, featuring major game announcements and trailers across multiple platforms. Hosted by Geoff Keighley from Cologne, Germany, the event served as the year’s final major gaming showcase before the busy fall season.

The headline announcement was CD Projekt Red’s unveiling of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Songs of the Past, a major expansion launching in 2027, twelve years after the original game’s release. The expansion closed the show to significant fanfare, though CD Projekt confirmed that The Witcher 4 will not appear.

Other major reveals included substantial looks at Final Fantasy VII Revelation, a story trailer for Gears of War: E-Day (featuring the first proper showcase of the Locust leader and war-torn environments), and new gameplay for Game of Thrones: War for Westeros, a real-time strategy game. Players also received fresh glimpses of Control: Resonant and Silent Hill: Townfall, while two PUBG spin-offs were announced.

The event’s pre-show proved particularly significant, featuring reveals of 11 Xbox games coming in 2027. Additional announcements included Metro 2039 and Tides of Annihilation.

The showcase arrives strategically ahead of a competitive fall gaming season, with Grand Theft Auto VI launching November 19, 2026, causing major publishers to carefully position their releases.

Gamescom Opening Night Live 2026 report - all the news and announcements as Witcher 3 expansion Songs of the Past shown for first time

Sources