Marketplace All-in-One It's game on in Cologne, Germany
Aug 20, 2025
Hundreds of thousands gather in Cologne for Gamescom 2025, the biggest gaming event of the year. Despite studio layoffs and tough competition, the energy is high as major companies unveil new titles. The conversation also shifts to Kiruna, Sweden, where a town is being relocated due to mining challenges. The move of a centuries-old church symbolizes the community’s evolution. This juxtaposition of gaming excitement and significant societal change creates a thought-provoking narrative.
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Gamescom Is Industry And Marketplace
- Gamescom showcases how massive the video games industry is, bigger than film and music.
- It functions as both a player demo space and a major business marketplace for developers.
Post-Pandemic Slump And Layoffs
- The games industry is cooling after pandemic-driven growth and faces a slump in player engagement.
- That decline has led to layoffs and studio closures, including cuts tied to big companies like Xbox.
Reporter Plays A Scary Demo
- Laura Kress describes her personal experience playing Resident Evil Requiem at Gamescom.
- She found the long-running survival horror series terrifying while reporting on the event.