Gamescom 2025: The Debate Over Traditional Customs in Video Games

Gamescom 2023: A Gathering of Brands and Gaming Enthusiasts in Cologne

The city of Cologne played host to the annual Gamescom event, a celebration of video games and digital culture, from August 23-28. Major brands like Duplo, Müller Milk, Schwarzkopf, LEGO, Philips, Subway, Rheinmetall, and many others graced the event, marking their return to the games industry after a creative break.

The event, which attracted over 300,000 private visitors, was officially opened by Dorothee Bär, the Federal Minister for Digital and Media Culture, and a long-time advocate for the games industry. Prior to her appointment, Bär held various political roles within the CSU, including deputy general secretary, and has been closely connected to the games industry for over a decade.

The Gamescom event featured a variety of video games and attractions, making it a prime location for companies and advertisers to meet a digitally affine, young, consumption-ready audience. The event also served as a platform for specialized agencies to voice their concerns about popular games like Fortnite and Roblox.

The CSU, a Bavarian political party, expressed its support for the games industry through an Instagram post. The caption read, "We are Games-Land," and the post featured an AI-generated comic figure of Bavaria's Minister President as a Super Mario look-alike. The CSU's mayor, Henriette Reker, who leads the supervisory board of Koelnmesse, secured the long-term stay of Gamescom in Cologne.

Gamers were well-suited for technical and operational fields, according to the personnel director of Deutsche Bahn. The German railway company continued to focus on "gaming and esports" in its apprentice search via DB-Gaming. Deutsche Bahn offers a maximum of 16 free rides per year to its apprentices, making it easier for young gamers to attend events like Gamescom.

The German armed forces also made an appearance at Gamescom, offering free train rides in uniform in long-distance and regional traffic to attract fresh talent. The city budgeted 250,000 € for the concluding, two-day Gamescom City Festival, with plans to grow the budget in the future.

The Gamescom Award was given in a special edition to the hosting industry association in Reker's farewell. Petra Fröhlich, the Chief Editor of GamesWirtschaft, met Ubisoft boss Yves Guillemot at the traditional 'Elefantenrunde' following the political opening of the Gamescom event in 2018. Fröhlich's encounter with Guillemot highlights the influential role that Gamescom plays in connecting industry leaders and fostering collaboration within the games industry.

Three out of four of the 300,000 private visitors at Gamescom were under 30, and two-thirds were male. This demographic makeup underscores the event's success in attracting a young and diverse audience, making it an ideal platform for brands to connect with their target market. As Gamescom continues to grow and evolve, it remains a significant event in the gaming world, bringing together industry professionals, enthusiasts, and brands alike.