gamescom: After Nintendo, Activision Blizzard is also canceling the Cologne trade fair

Although we are still in the middle of June, when various developers and publishers are throwing their announcements and trailers at us in digital showcase events, we are already looking towards August 2022. That starts on August 23rd “Opening Night Live” event kicking off gamescom week. For the first time since the pandemic, we can expect a mix of digital program items and on-site action.

Cancellations of major publishers

If you’re considering stopping by the exhibition center in Cologne, you might be wondering which publishers and developers will have a booth there. It is clear that Nintendo canceled participation in gamescom 2022 at the beginning of June (source). Instead, they want to give players the opportunity to try out games for the Nintendo Switch at other events in Germany – for example at the “Main Matsuri Japan Festival” in Frankfurt, at DoKomi in Düsseldorf or at AnimagiC in Mannheim.

You also have to be strong if you want to play Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Overwatch 2, Diablo 4 or other Activision Blizzard games in Cologne. Even the well-known publisher, which was taken over by Microsoft this year (the acquisition is still being assessed), is staying away from gamescom 2022 (source). 2K, Rockstar Games and Wargaming will also be absent.

Is there someone who has already confirmed their participation in gamescom 2022? Yup, here’s the list (via games economy):

• Aerosoft
• Assemble Entertainment
• Bandai Namco Entertainment
• HandyGames
• Kalypso Media
• Cook Media
• Level Infinite (Tencent Games)
• THQ Nordic

There’s a whole range of manufacturers who have not yet made a final statement. These include Capcom, Electronic Arts, Square Enix, Ubisoft, Sony, Microsoft, Bethesda and CD Projekt Red.