It’s that point of yr when it is enjoyable to simply wildly speculate (and make some educated deductions) about what we would see from Geoff Keighley’s Opening Night time Reside, direct from gamescom 2026. Little is thought forward of time this yr – a number of video games and studios have been teased, however for probably the most half the present is a whole thriller, and so this provides me loads of room to dream about what surprises the present might have in retailer.
Happening on August 25 at 11am PT/2pm ET/8pm CEST, right here’s how to watch the stream. Let’s not waste any extra time, although, and get straight into what to anticipate from it.
What We Know
It’s going to be a giant night time for a few the most well-liked RPGs to ever exist. We’re formally getting our first have a look at The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Songs of the Previous, the third growth to Geralt’s landmark journey, coming an entire 12 years after the bottom sport’s launch. Co-developed by CD Projekt Crimson and Idiot’s Idea, it’s being described as a prologue of types to the upcoming The Witcher 4. Quickly, the thriller behind the brand new, third sword Geralt is holding within the paintings could also be revealed, in addition to a lot extra followers are desperate to study all about, together with the growth’s location and when in The Witcher timeline Songs of the Previous is ready.
Talking of previous video games being revisited, we’ll be getting one other have a look at Ultimate Fantasy 7 Revelation, the final a part of Sq. Enix’s remake trilogy. The venture’s director, Naoki Hamaguchi, might be in attendance to point out us what’s subsequent for Cloud and the gang, however what precisely might we see? June’s SGF gave us a wholesome dose of Highwind motion, exhibiting off how we’ll have the ability to skydive from the long-lasting airship right down to any a part of the open world we select, in addition to glimpses into how new social gathering members Vincent Valentine and Cid will management in fight. So, what’s subsequent? Maybe a deeper dive into one or each of these characters, or perhaps a extra story-focused sneak peek?
We do know that story is strictly what we’ll be seeing extra of from Gears of Struggle: E-Day, although. A model new trailer for the prequel might be proven at ONL, which can, presumably, embody Marcus Fenix slicing up some Locusts. Recreation of Thrones: Struggle for Westeros can have its gameplay reveal trailer proven off, too. The actual-time technique sport places you answerable for one of many fantasy collection’ main forces, from the Starks to the Night time King’s White Walkers, as you try and rewrite Westeros historical past.
Different video games confirmed for the present embody Ananta, an upcoming free-to-play open-world sport from NetEase that appears to be incorporating all types of motion into its futuristic metropolis setting. It definitely seems very formidable, and we’re eager to see extra, together with, hopefully, a reveal of its launch date. Then there’s Ontos, a brand new sci-fi horror sport from Soma and Amnesia studio, Frictional Video games. Starring Stellan Skarsgård as one of many occupants of its creepy lunar lodge referred to as Samsara, we’re intrigued to search out out extra. Motion RPG Showa American Story can be set to point out up, with a brand new have a look at the sport that locations you within the footwear of a stuntwoman exploring a post-apocalyptic United States. Will probably be joined by Stage Tour, the rhythm sport aiming to select up the place Guitar Hero and Rock Band left off. Then there’s Mewgenics, for which a musical efficiency is deliberate on stage. Might some form of announcement be made for the cat-based ways sport? DLC or a console launch, perhaps?
Hopes and Goals
Now for the enjoyable half. What reveals and surprises might await us at ONL? Effectively, there are an entire host of video games coming in September that will presumably love to face out within the crowd. An enormous stage like that is the proper alternative. These embody Marvel’s Wolverine, Management Resonant, Silent Hill: Townfall, Onimusha: Means of the Sword, The Blood of Dawnwalker, and Hearth Emblem: Fortune’s Weave, to call however a number of. New trailers for all of those are distinct potentialities.
Transferring into October, Name of Responsibility has considerably of a convention of turning up at gamescom to point out off a slice of motion. Trendy Warfare 4 is that this yr’s providing from Infinity Ward, and is presently out there to play in beta. Additionally due in October is Phantom Blade Zero. We did simply get a chunky have a look at it on the latest State of Play, however we wouldn’t be stunned to see much more of its flashy sword fight right here.
Trying past this yr, Fable is ready to be one in every of 2027’s greatest video games, and we’d love one other have a look at Playground Video games’ reboot. Much more gameplay can be a deal with, particularly an perception into the RPG’s fight. We’ve seen a number of the world and the folks dwelling it; now, let’s see how we are able to kill them. I think about there’ll even be a good variety of folks dying in Metro 2039, in what seems just like the shooter collection’ darkest chapter but. With it supposedly coming early subsequent yr, a superb have a look at gameplay can be welcomed.
What different video games would you wish to see pop up? Maybe God of Struggle Laufey? Exodus? In case you’re feeling notably formidable, maybe Persona 6 or the Ocarina of Time remake? And no, there gained’t be any GTA 6. That’s two days in a while Netflix.
Tell us within the feedback about what you’re most enthusiastic about at gamescom’s Opening Night time Reside present, going down on August 25, 2026 at 11am PT/2pm ET/8pm CEST.
Simon Cardy is a Senior Editor at IGN who can primarily be discovered skulking round open world video games, indulging in Korean cinema, or despairing on the state of Tottenham Hotspur and the New York Jets. Observe him on Bluesky at @cardy.bsky.social.