Gamescom
Gamescom (stylized as gamescom) is a trade fair for video games held annually at the Koelnmesse in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is organised by the BIU (Bundesverband Interaktive Unterhaltungssoftware, English: Federal Association of Interactive Entertainment Software). It is used by many video game developers to show off their upcoming games and game-related hardware.
Gamescom is the world's largest gaming event, (measured by exhibition space and number of visitors) with 345,000 visitors, more than 6,000 journalists and 700 exhibitors from 88 countries attending the show in its sixth year.
Shows
2009
Gamescom 2009 was held from 19 August to 23 August. 245,000 people attended that year's visit.
Exhibitors
Notable press conferences
Wednesday, 18 August:
Electronic Arts
Sony Computer Entertainment Europe
Thursday, 19 August:
Microsoft Game Studios
Konami
Namco Bandai Games
Notable announcements
Sony Computer Entertainment Europe announced the PlayStation 3 Slim, a smaller and lighter model of the console and a release date of 1 September 2009. Firmware 3.0 for the PlayStation 3 was also announced, adding new features to the PlayStation Network. Sony announced that the European Video Store would launch in November 2009. Sony also announced that the PlayStation Portable would get smaller games (under 100mb) in the form of 'minis' and that comics would also be available to download in December 2009. A "free game" registration promotion was announced for the PSP Go.
