Gamescom Opening Night Live 2026 kicks off with Rainbow Six Tactics, new Hoyoverse game, and Witcher 3 expansion
Gamescom Opening Night Live 2026 has officially begun, with host Geoff Keighley opening the show by acknowledging the recent tough times for the industry, including layoffs and hardware problems, before launching into a packed lineup of new game reveals, trailers, and gameplay footage. The event, which runs for roughly two hours, is expected to deliver a steady stream of announcements from the showfloor in Cologne.
Keighley started the evening with a personal tribute to his late father, thanking the audience for the moment, before the show proper got underway. The first major reveal came from esports host Sjokz, who introduced Rainbow Six Tactics, a new title that appears to blend the tactical shooter DNA of Rainbow Six with the turn-based strategy gameplay of XCOM. The game is scheduled for release in 2027.
Hoyoverse unveils Nodus Fall
The first proper game reveal of the night was Nodus Fall, an original co-op action title from Hoyoverse. The game's tagline, "Wield Divinity, Sever the Dreadnodus," sets the tone for a darker, more somber experience than the studio's previous work. Early impressions suggest a visual style closer to Elden Ring or Tides of Annihilation, with British-accented narration and a narrative revolving around the question of how a few dying embers can reignite the flames of rebellion.
The Witcher 3 expansion shown for first time
As expected, the show featured the first in-game footage from The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past, the upcoming expansion for CD Projekt Red's acclaimed RPG. Details on the expansion's setting and new features have been scarce until now, and this glimpse is the first proper look players have had at what the content will entail.
Onimusha demo expanded and available now
Capcom was on hand with a new look at Onimusha: Way of the Sword, which appears to be a straightforward continuation of the classic action series. The demo for the game has been expanded with a new "deadly duel" encounter and is available to play immediately.
Mariachi Legends gets a release date
A new trailer for Mariachi Legends, a Mexico-inspired Metroidvania, was shown during the event. The game is set to launch on April 27, 2027. In an interview following the trailer, the creator noted that the protagonist Alucard's suit is already about 90% of a mariachi outfit, drawing a clear connection to the Castlevania series.
Other announcements and reveals
The show also featured a two-player co-op game called Age Twisters, which involves a birthday treasure hunt from a mother and uses futuristic bracelets that change the players' ages, drawing comparisons to It Takes Two but with a parent-child dynamic.
Elta: Defy All Gods was announced for an early 2027 release. Meanwhile, a new title from Afterburner and Focus Entertainment was shown, featuring a creepy underground setting with a beefy automaton protagonist. The game's vibe has been described as a fusion of Sifu and God of War with robots, and it includes a memorable shot of a creepy dragon skeleton.
What else to expect
The show is expected to feature further looks at previously announced titles, including Gears of War: E-Day, Metro 2039, Final Fantasy 7 Revelation, Tides of Annihilation, Ananta, Game of Thrones: War for Westeros, and Warlock: Dungeons & Dragons. A musical performance from Mewgenics was also part of the pre-show.
While the event is packed with reveals, some anticipated announcements have not yet materialised. There is still no release date for The Duskbloods, which remains set for this year, and no sign of the rumoured Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake. The show continues, with more news expected to emerge as the night goes on.