Gamescom 2021: Opening Night Live Recap & Everything You Probably Missed

No summary could fit all of this news so here's a concise "too long; didn't read" recap of the biggest announcements, world premieres, updates, and awards from this year's Gamescom: Opening Night Live event for 2021.

New Halo/Hardware Announcements:

(Image source: Microsoft)

• Halo: Infinite is set to launch on December 8, 2021, but won’t have Forge or co-op campaign at release. More about that here

• Halo: Infinite Xbox Elite Series 2 Controller revealed (leftside, pre-orderable now but probably sold out)

• Halo: Infinite Xbox Series X limited edition console revealed and set to release on Nov. 15, 2021 (rightside, pre-orderable now but probably sold out)

New Game Reveals Without Release Dates

• Cult of the Lamb reveals trailer

• CrossfireX reveals a new official gameplay trailer

• Midnight Fight Express reveals trailer and set for Summer 2022

• TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge reveals April O’Neil as a playable character in new trailer

• Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania reveals new trailer featuring Morgana from Persona 5 as a playable character

• SNK’s KOF XV reveals new trailer

• LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga reveals trailer and will launch in Spring 2022

• Synced: Off-Planet reveals showcase

• The Outlast Trials reveals trailer and is set to launch in 2022

• Park Beyond reveals trailer and set to launch in 2022 on XB Series X/S, PS5, & PC

• Tales of Luminaria reveals trailer and is announced for mobile

New Games With Official Release Dates

• Jurassic World Evolution 2 reveals a new gameplay trailer and is set to release on Nov. 9, 2021

• Vampire the Masquerade: Blood Hunt (a vampire-themed battle royale) shows off a gameplay trailer and will have early access on Steam on Sept. 7, 2021

• Saint Row remake announced with trailer and is set for Feb. 25, 2022 release

• Marvel Midnight Suns announced with trailer and set for March 2022 release

- Tactical RPG

- Customizable protagonist

- Gameplay shown on Sept 1, 2021

• Jett: The Far Shore is set to launch on October 5, 2021, on PS4, PS5, & the Epic Game Store

• Horizon: Forbidden West announced to officially release on Feb. 18, 2022

- Pre-orderable on Sept. 2, 2021

- Confirmed for 60 FPS patch for Horizon: Zero Dawn (already out)

• Sifu new trailer, set to release on Feb. 22, 2022

New Updates and Content for Released Games

(Image sources: Sony)

• Death Stranding: Director’s Cut revealed new added features with trailer:

- delivery missions

- jump ramps

- racing mode

- Firing range with leaderboards

- New Maser Gun (stuns your enemy)

- Fight bosses again in private room

- Online ranking system

- delivery support features including: thrusters, cargo catapult, and buddy bot

• Fall Guys new collaboration with Jungle Book revealed called the King Louie event set for Sept. 3-12

• Valheim announced their first content update, Hearth& Home, set for Sept. 6, 2021

• Splitgate season 0 announced and already out now for free

Gamescom Awards for 2021 - Prepare Yourself

• Best Action-Adventure Game - Elden Ring (launching in 2022)

• Best Action Game - Far Cry 6 (launching in Oct. 2021)

• Best Announcement - Saints Row (launching in 2022)

• Best Family Game - Super Dungeon Maker (launching holiday 2021)

• Best Indie - Lost in Random (launching in Sept. 2021)

• Best Line-up - Bandai Namco

• Best Microsoft Xbox Game - Halo Infinite (launching holiday 2021)

• Best Multiplayer Game - Halo Infinite (launching holiday 2021)

• Best Nintendo Switch Game - Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope (launching in 2022)

• Best of Gamescom - Elden Ring (launching in 2022)

• Best PC Game - Syberia: The World Before (launching holiday 2021)

• Best RPG - Elden Ring (launching in 2022)

• Best Simulation - Park Beyond (launching in 2022)

• Best Sony PlayStation Game - Elden Ring (launching in 2022)

• Best Sports - Game Riders Republic (launching in Oct. 2021)

• Best Strategy - Age of Empires IV (launching in Oct. 2021)

• Best Support - Apex Legends

• Best Trailer - Saints Row (launching in 2022)

• Most original game - Dice Legacy (launching in Sept. 2021)

Want More Details?

To find out more information about the biggest announcements, changes, updates, world premieres, awards, and more, visit the Gamescom: Opening Night Live event site here.