Gamescom Returns After 3 Years... K-Game Global 'In Sharp Focus'

Offline Event Held After 3 Years... Game Industry Introduces Global Blockbusters

Introduction image of Korean joint pavilion participants at Gamescom [Source=Korea Creative Content Agency]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yuri Choi] Europe’s largest game show, 'Gamescom,' will be held offline for the first time in three years. Korean game companies such as Nexon and Krafton are showcasing major titles, aiming at the global market.

According to the gaming industry on the 21st, 'Gamescom 2022' will be held from the 24th to the 29th (local time) in Cologne, Germany. Due to the impact of COVID-19, the event was held online for the past three years, but this year it will also be held offline.

Gamescom attracted more than 370,000 visitors in 2019 before COVID-19, and last year’s online event saw participation from 180 countries, making it one of the world’s top three game exhibitions.

Domestically, Krafton and Neowiz will participate to showcase new titles. Nexon and LINE Games will participate in an online format.

First, Krafton will introduce new titles from independent studios 'Unknown Worlds' and 'Striking Distance Studios' (SDS) at the pre-event 'Opening Night Live' showcase on the 23rd.

Unknown Worlds will present 'Project M,' a turn-based strategy game set in a science fiction universe as a new intellectual property (IP), while SDS will showcase new footage of the survival horror game 'The Callisto Protocol,' scheduled for global release at the end of the year.

Neowiz will set up an offline solo booth for the first time. They plan to reveal the single-player action role-playing game (RPG) 'P-ui Geojit' (The Lie of P).

'P-ui Geojit' is a dark adaptation of the classic fairy tale 'Pinocchio,' featuring intense combat. A demo version playable for the first time at Gamescom will be unveiled.

Neowiz will also participate in the 'Indie Arena Booth 2022,' an event introducing indie games selected by Gamescom from around the world, showcasing the PC game 'Aka.' Aka is a healing adventure game where players cultivate an island through gathering and crafting, and enjoy experiences such as mini-games, swimming, cloud watching, and island exploration.

Nexon will submit three highly anticipated global titles online. The main titles are 'First Descendant,' a loot shooter (a shooting game emphasizing item collection) under development for PC and console platforms; 'Veiled Experts,' a third-person shooter; and 'Dave the Diver,' a hybrid marine adventure. Especially, 'First Descendant' will reveal a new trailer for the first time, aiming for a major hit in the global market.

LINE Games will participate online and present a trailer for the PC game 'Quantum Knights.' It is a third-person loot shooter PC online game scheduled for release within 2023.

The Korea Creative Content Agency will also organize a 'Korea Pavilion' at this year’s Gamescom with 15 domestic game developers. The pavilion will be composed of PC, mobile, console, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR) sections, showcasing participants’ content to major global buyers. Since COVID-19 limited opportunities for Korean game companies to engage in global business exchanges, the goal is to support strategies for entering overseas game markets.