The summer game show lineup continues at Gamescom in August, with the event itself kicking off with a show called Gamescom Opening Night Live. Summer Games Festival director Geoff Keighley will return to host Opening Night Live this year and feature game announcements and new trailers. In this article, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know about Opening Night Live, including how to watch, what to expect, how much publishers pay to appear on the show, and more.
When does Gamescom Night Live open?
The opening night live will take place on Tuesday 20th August, with performances starting at 8pm CET. It is expected to run for approximately two hours and end at around 10pm CET. In the US, the show begins airing at 11am PT/2pm ET. The event itself takes place at the Koelnmesse in Cologne, Germany, but of course it will also be broadcast live around the world.
There will be a preview before the main event, starting 30 minutes before kick-off. This is a pre-recorded show that will be broadcast online only; people attending the event in person will not see it.
How to watch the Gamescom opening night live broadcast
Opening Night Live will be broadcast on YouTube, Twitch, TikTok, Steam, Bilibili, X and Facebook. These platforms are subject to change.
What to expect from Gamescom opening night
Viewers can look forward to new game announcements, as well as new trailers and gameplay reveals. In addition, the event will also provide a “sneak peek” at events to be held during Gamescom 2024.
Keighley has made a series of announcements so far, which may include the next Dying Light project. You can watch the promotional video below, edited by Keighley himself, to get an idea of what this reveal is all about.
Opening Night 2023 was packed with news and reveals, including new trailers for Starfield and Alan Wake, while the show also debuted new footage from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III.
How much do companies pay to showcase their games?
Open Night Live is a huge event, and to launch a game, publishers usually have to pay, though not in all cases. Published prices start at €115,000 ($125,000) for a 30-second ad, going up to €265,000 ($288,000) for a two-minute spot. Publishers will also need to have a booth or other type of qualifying “activation” at the show itself, with a minimum spend of €60,000 ($65,000), to showcase their games during Opening Night Live.
Stay tuned to GameSpot for the latest news, as we’ll update this article in the days and weeks leading up to the August show.
