Technology

Gamescom showcases major franchise announcements and sequels

The major in-person gaming convention in Cologne highlighted upcoming titles from The Witcher, Alien, and Tomb Raider franchises.

Updated Aug 29, 2026 · 23:18 UTC1 reports

The short version

Gamescom, the world's largest in-person gaming event, returned to Cologne, Germany, featuring presentations from major publishers and independent developers.
A surprise expansion for the 11-year-old game The Witcher 3 was announced, alongside updates for sequels in the Alien: Isolation and Silent Hill franchises.
Major industry figures and co-developers showcased how upcoming releases will adapt classic gameplay, settings, and voice acting for modern audiences.

Gamescom is held at the Koelnmesse in Cologne, Germany, featuring both major industry publishers like Xbox and Sega and small independent developers.[BBC News]
CD Projekt Red announced a new expansion for The Witcher 3 titled Songs of the Past, focusing on the character Geralt and his companion Dandelion, as well as a free upgrade for the original base game.[BBC News]
Creative Assembly previewed Alien: Isolation 2, featuring a new protagonist named Blake and introducing open-air environments alongside traditional claustrophobic spaces.[BBC News]
The 2027 reboot of Fable by Playground Games will be set in an open-world version of Albion and will feature a cast of over 100 voice actors representing different regional UK accents.[BBC News]
Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog are developing Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, a modern reimagining of the original 1996 video game.[BBC News]
Silent Hill Townfall, being developed by Glasgow-based Screen Burn, will be set in a fictional Scottish location called St Amelia, departing from the franchise's typical American settings.[BBC News]
Games Done Quick (GDQ) held speedrunning sessions at the event, with organizers reporting the group has raised $62 million for charity over the last 16 years.[BBC News]