- Gamescom announces record number of exhibitors
At the Gamescom event this year, more companies than ever before will be presenting their products and services. Over 1,400 exhibitors have already registered, which is a 15% increase from last year's event, according to Koelnmesse. "This is a new record," said Messe chief Gerald Böse. There could still be more registrations before the start of the world's largest gaming event on Wednesday (21st August).
Notably, the Gamescom has become more international. While 26 countries and regions were represented in pavilions last year, this year there are 37. New additions include India, Mauritius, Portugal, Sweden, Bulgaria, and South Africa.
Political figures are also expected to attend. Last year, around 320,000 people visited the Koelnmesse halls. This year, the event is expected to be just as crowded, with Saturday (24th August) already sold out.
Felix Falk from the industry association Game, which co-organizes the event with Koelnmesse, sees the significantly higher number of exhibitors as a sign of growing interest in the industry and its positive prospects. Despite Germany's gaming industry experiencing a six percent decrease in revenue in the first half of 2024, Falk believes that "the Gamescom is the best indicator that things will continue to go very positively in the future." He expects the momentum of previous years to return. Even political figures such as Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck (Greens) and NRW Minister President Hendrik Wüst (CDU) are planning to attend.
The gaming industry's growth is evident at the Coal trade fair, as Gamescom sees a 15% increase in exhibitors this year, surpassing last year's record with 1,400 registrations. Notably, the international presence at the Coal trade fair has expanded, with new countries like India and South Africa joining the event this year.
