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There are still seven weeks until Gamescom 2024 – in addition to prominent commitments from major game manufacturers, there are also at least equally prominent cancellations.
Bandai Namco, THQ Nordic, Astragon, Ubisoft, Microsoft, Krafton, Capcom, Plaion – almost every day, renowned studios and publishers come out of hiding and announce that they will be taking part in Gamescom 2024 starting on August 21st (constantly updated overview).
But the complete picture also includes the fact that there are significant cancellations this year. The reasons vary greatly from case to case: sometimes there is a fundamental lack of new products, sometimes the Gamescom date does not fit into the marketing concept, sometimes the company headquarters gives the thumbs down when it comes to costs – and sometimes the company is simply too busy with itself.
The following companies will not operate a stand at Gamescom 2024 (Status: July 3, 2024 / will be updated daily).
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Sony Interactive / PlayStation
The last Sony appearance in Cologne was five long years ago: At Gamescom 2019, Death Stranding-maker Hideo Kojima diligently signed autographs. The following year was a kind of stall: The launch of the PlayStation 5 fell in the pandemic year of 2020, when Gamescom, like 2021, was 'only' digital.
It is not known why Sony Interactive is cancelling for the third time in a row after 2022 and 2023 – it may simply be because the PlayStation 5 release list for the Christmas season is not all that extensive so far.
Nintendo
The Japanese video game giant maintains an on-off relationship with Gamescom: cancellation in 2022, confirmation in 2023, cancellation in 2024. For example, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom (released on September 26th) is certainly a well-timed 'headliner'. There is much to suggest that the company's full focus is on the Switch 2 game console, which is due to arrive sometime in 2025.
Despite not attending Gamescom, Nintendo is still seeking direct contact with the public: city festivals, shopping centers, festivals and trade fairs such as Dokomi in Düsseldorf are played throughout the year.
Roblox
Almost 80 million mostly young players log in to Roblox one – daily: The online worlds are analogous to Minecraft, Grand Theft Auto and Fortnite It is now impossible to imagine the gaming world without it.
But the Roblox Corporation will not be appearing in Cologne this year either, as the US company confirmed upon request.
CD Projekt Red
Only a few weeks before Gamescom 2023 it was clear that CD Projekt Red Cyberpunk2077-Extension Phantom Liberty contrary to the original plan but in Cologne – as a subtenant at the Microsoft Xbox stand.
Such surprises can be ruled out for 2024. Instead, the Polish studio is organizing a community partythis time on August 22nd (Thursday) – where exactly: secret. You can apply for one of the free places until July 20th.
All information about Gamescom 2024 (21 to 25 August) can be found daily at GamesWirtschaft – tickets, opening times, exhibitors, games, shows, opening times and much more.