Gamescom 2014 runs from August 13-17 in Cologne, Germany and many of the top publishers and developers will be on hand to showcase what the big releases they’ve got coming up and reveal some new ones. It’s Europe’s largest video game conference and trade show (second in the world only to the Asia Game Show with regards to total attendance).
Unlike E3, which is held every June in Los Angeles, California, Gamescom is open to the public as well as the press. It’s not the easiest event to get to if you’re based in North America, however, so we’ve compiled the following list of who’s got stuff to show, and — when possible — how you can stream the goods.
Microsoft/Xbox
Tuesday, August 12, 8:00am ET
Microsoft’s Gamescom presence will center around Halo: The Master Chief Collection. Developer 343 Industries will share some new announcements about the remastered collection during the Twitch-streamed press briefing and you can swing by the Xbox booth in Hall 6 all week to try out Halo 2: Anniversary‘s multiplayer. There will also be a 4v4 tournament held from Wednesday through Sunday with a $10,000 USD in prizes. Check out more details here.
Sony/Playstation
Tuesday, August 12, 1:00pm ET
Sony has been teasing a big reveal for its event, which will be streamed through the PlayStation Blog (there’s a countdown on the stream page now).
Our best guess is that it will be a PlayStation 4 confirmation for Until Dawn, the survival horror slasher that was first revealed at Gamescom 2012.
Electronic Arts
Wednesday, August 13, 4:00 AM ET
Electronic Arts will share more details about upcoming titles like The Sims 4, Battlefield: Hardline, and Dragon Age: Inquisition at its press briefing, which will be streamed online here.
Fans are no doubt waiting to hear some news after the recent release delays for both Dragon Age: Inquisition, which now surfaces in November 2014, and Battlefield: Hardline, which won’t arrive until early 2015.
Ubisoft
Ubisoft has not shared the particulars of its press conference stream yet, but the publisher will have a strong showing of playable games on the floor all week. Fans will be able to get their hands on Far Cry 4, The Crew, and the newly announced Assassin’s Creed Rogue.
The publisher will also be showing off Assassin’s Creed Unity, The Division, and The Settlers: Kingdom of Anteria, along with some new titles that have yet to be announced.
Activision
Monday, August 11, 1:00pm ET
Activision will primarily focus on its upcoming Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare with the game’s long-awaited multiplayer reveal. Virtually nothing is known so far of the game’s online component, other than the fact that it has one.
The publisher also recently launched a new website for Sierra Entertainment, with a brief video teasing a reveal for Gamescom. That’s especially exciting news for fans of adventure games from the ’80s and ’90s.
Blizzard
Fri/Sat, August 15 & 16, 12:00pm ET / Sun, August 17, 10:00am
Blizzard will be hosting a variety of events with show matches for Starcraft II and Hearthstone, quizzes and costume contests, and a showcase for its upcoming MOBA, Heroes of the Storm.
There’s not going to be a press briefing, but Blizzard intends to broadcast for an hour a day, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, from its booth. A schedule and of all events, including stream info, can be found here.
Nvidia
Nvidia will be showing off its latest and greatest in graphics hardware, with a strong presence in Hall 8 that will include demonstrations of the Shield tablet and a gaming lounge where fans can try out the upcoming asymmetrical monster hunting game Evolve.
The company doesn’t have a press briefing that will be livestreamed, but fans will be able to tune in for ‘Beat the Pro,’ an attendee-only competition that pits visitors against pro Hearthstone players as they compete for a variety of prizes.
