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gamescom 2020: ‘A strong signal in challenging times’

Published

6 years ago

September 9, 2020

Reading Time: 3 minutes

game draws a positive balance after first all-digital gamescom
More than 2 million people worldwide simultaneously view grand kick-off show ‘gamescom: Opening Night Live’
Federal Minister Andreas Scheuer announces start of major games funding programme at gamescom

gamescom 2020 sends a strong signal in challenging times: the world’s biggest games event was successfully implemented in digital form, despite turmoil in the development plans of numerous games studios due to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as a comparatively short planning phase. Millions of players worldwide followed gamescom 2020, which took place in parallel on many digital platforms. The digital concept of gamescom 2020, developed in just a few weeks in collaboration with Koelnmesse and the top gamescom exhibitors, shows the great potential of gamescom for the coming years: many companies participated for the first time this year as official partners; in addition, the fair’s international reach has continued to increase significantly. This is the conclusion drawn by game – the German Games Industry Association, the co-organiser of gamescom.

Jens Kosche, game Executive Board member and Managing Director of Electronic Arts for Germany, Austria and Switzerland, says: ‘Even though the use of games has increased in the last several months, the COVID-19 pandemic is a huge challenge for the international games industry too. Physical events have been cancelled and, in many cases, the development of games also hasn’t continued in the usual manner, with the focus on the safety and health of all involved requiring that thousands of developers work from home. This made it all the more important that gamescom could be held successfully online: it was an anchor in the event calendar and attracted the attention of the community worldwide. I expressly thank all of the partners who, this year especially, have dedicated themselves to the success of gamescom, our most important industry event.’

The special highlight of gamescom 2020 was the show that kicked it off, ‘gamescom: Opening Night Live’. Over two million people viewed the event simultaneously, a fourfold increase from last year’s strong premiere. This makes it one of the top three gaming events worldwide that have taken place online in 2020. The livestreams and events of the approximately 370 official gamescom partners have contributed to its global reach. These included, for example, the ESL One Cologne and the numerous livestreams with influencers from around the world who disseminate the content of gamescom in a wide range of languages. Partnerships with platforms like Twitch and YouTube as well as TikTok and Steam also helped gamescom 2020 reach the community everywhere in the internet.

Felix Falk, Managing Director of game, says: ‘The extraordinary circumstances made gamescom 2020 extremely challenging, yet especially exciting. The digital concept demonstrates how big the international potential of our games event – already the largest in the world – still is. At the same time, however, it has become clear how important the on-site conference, in addition to further digital development, is for the community and the games industry. So, we now have to take our experience from this year and use it to develop the ideal combined on- and offline event for 2021. We’re also especially happy about the political signals that were sent by gamescom 2020. The launch of the major games funding programme announced by Federal Minister of Transport and Digital Infrastructure Andreas Scheuer is historic and marks the start of our race to catch up as a competitive international site for games development. Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas’s contribution to the gamescom congress, as well as the Debatt(l)e Royale and the participation of over 200 guests in digital tours, show that, this year too, gamescom remains one of the most important platforms for the exchange between policymakers and the digital generation.’

Further information on gamescom 2020 online participation and international audience can be found here

Next year’s gamescom will be held as a hybrid event in Cologne and on the net from Wednesday, 25 August, to Sunday, 29 August 2021.

About gamescom

gamescom is the world’s largest event for computer and video games, as well as Europe’s largest business platform for the games industry. In 2021, gamescom is planned as a hybrid event to be held on-site and digitally, from Wednesday, 25 August, to Sunday, 29 August. gamescom is jointly organised by Koelnmesse and game – the German Games Industry Association.

game – the German Games Industry Association

We are the association of the German games industry. Our members include developers, publishers and many other games industry actors such as esports event organisers, educational establishments and service providers. As a joint organiser of gamescom, we are responsible for the world’s biggest event for computer and video games. We are an expert partner for media and for political and social institutions, and answer questions relating to market development, games culture and media literacy. Our mission is to make Germany the best games location.

1xBet

HLTV Awards returns to Belgrade on January 9, 2027, adding Lifetime Achievement honor

Published

4 hours ago

June 17, 2026

Wladimir P.

hltv-awards-returns-to-belgrade-on-january-9,-2027,-adding-lifetime-achievement-honor

HLTV will stage the HLTV Awards presented by 1xBet in Belgrade, Serbia on January 9, 2027, returning to the Sava Center. The company said more than 1,000 players, industry professionals, creators, and fans are expected to attend.

HLTV also confirmed Dust2 creator David Johnston will feature as an award announcer. HLTV linked the booking to the 25th anniversary of Dust2.

For 2026, HLTV is updating its Hall of Fame process and eligibility rules. Four players will be inducted again, with “at least two and up to three” slots reserved for players from the Counter-Strike 1.6 and early eras. HLTV also removed the former “neo rule,” allowing players to be inducted for their playing careers even if they remain active in other roles such as coaching.

HLTV is adding a Lifetime Achievement Award, which will be decided by the Hall of Fame Board. The ceremony will also move Community Awards onto the main stage show for the first time, rather than the pre-show segment.

Separately, HLTV will kick off the 2027 Awards season with an invite-only “HLTV Awards by 1xBet Launch Party x GRID” in Cologne during the Major. HLTV said industry members can apply for an invite to the ceremony via its awards page.

The post HLTV Awards returns to Belgrade on January 9, 2027, adding Lifetime Achievement honor appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Benjamin Bradtke Co-Founder of ThrillTech

ThrillTech lands Gibraltar B2B supplier licence

Published

4 hours ago

June 17, 2026

Wladimir P.

thrilltech-lands-gibraltar-b2b-supplier-licence

Approval from HM Government of Gibraltar’s Gambling Division lets the supplier serve Gibraltar-licensed iGaming operators.

ThrillTech has been granted a Gambling Services (B2B) Licence by the Gambling Division of HM Government of Gibraltar, allowing the supplier to provide its opt-in jackpot and mystery reward products to regulated iGaming operators licensed in Gibraltar.

The company said the licence supports its international expansion plans and will enable it to deploy its ThrillPots product with additional operators in the jurisdiction, which hosts a number of tier-one betting and gaming brands.

Benjamin Bradtke, Co-Founder of ThrillTech, said: “Securing a B2B licence in Gibraltar is an important step for ThrillTech and a testament to our market-leading jackpots technology. Gibraltar is home to some of the industry’s most prestigious operators. This approval not only accelerates our global expansion strategy but now allows us to provide these major operators with new layers of player engagement which generate incremental revenue.”

ThrillTech said it seeks market-specific licences and certifications because its side-bet jackpots operate independently of operators’ core casino games and betting products. The company added that its jackpots are powered by a proprietary, certified RNG and do not alter core game RTP, with funding coming from opt-in player contributions.

According to ThrillTech, its regulated market licences and certifications also include the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Netherlands, Romania, Malta, Peru, and Brazil.

The post ThrillTech lands Gibraltar B2B supplier licence appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Asia

S8UL’s League of Legends roster qualifies to represent India at Asian Games 2026

Published

6 hours ago

June 17, 2026

Wladimir P.

s8ul’s-league-of-legends-roster-qualifies-to-represent-india-at-asian-games-2026

S8UL Esports’ League of Legends roster has qualified to represent India at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, running from September 19 to October 4. The organisation said the team secured qualification through the regional qualifiers after winning the National Esports Championships (NESC) 2026, described as the official national qualification tournament for the Asian Games.

S8UL said the roster competing under India’s banner is Akshaj Shenoy (Kat Bot), Aakash Shandilya (Infi), Sanindhya Malik (Deadcorporal), Mihir Ranjan (Lotus), Ahmed Shahid (Nero), and Rahul Bisht (Bob). The regional qualifiers featured 14 teams across a group stage and a split stage, with top performers advancing to the Asian Games main event.

In Group B, the team went unbeaten against Jordan, Sri Lanka, and Kazakhstan to progress, according to S8UL. In the split stage, it lost to Vietnam, Hong Kong, and Saudi Arabia but did enough to secure a berth. India will now face opponents including Japan, Chinese Taipei, and Vietnam at the main event.

Four players—Kat Bot, Infi, Deadcorporal, and Lotus—were also part of India’s League of Legends contingent at the Hangzhou Asian Games 2023, where S8UL said the team finished fifth.

Akshaj Shenoy aka Kat Bot, captain of India’s League of Legends team, said, “Qualifying for the Asian Games is a proud moment for all of us. We knew the regional qualifiers would be extremely competitive, and every match demanded complete focus. For many of us, this will be our second Asian Games, which makes this qualification even more special because we understand the level of competition that awaits us. We are grateful to S8UL for believing in this roster and providing us with the support, stability, and opportunities needed to keep improving as a team. Representing India is always an honour, and we’ll do everything we can to make the country proud in Aichi-Nagoya.”

S8UL co-founder and CEO Animesh Agarwal aka 8Bit Thug added, “Representing India at the Asian Games is among the highest honours an athlete can achieve, and seeing our League of Legends roster earn that opportunity is incredibly special. This team has demonstrated resilience, discipline, and a willingness to continually improve, qualities that are essential for success at the international level. At S8UL, our goal has always been to create pathways for Indian athletes to compete on the biggest stages in the world. We have no doubt they will give their all when they step onto the stage in Aichi-Nagoya and compete for the nation with pride,” S8UL also noted that Gurashish Singh (Soul) and Prateek Bhaunt (B Haunt) previously qualified for the Asian Games in Tekken 8 and Street Fighter 6 after winning at NESC 2026.

The post S8UL’s League of Legends roster qualifies to represent India at Asian Games 2026 appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.