Gamescom 2016 stats: More companies flock to gaming event than ever before

Gamescom has revealed the visitor numbers for Gamescom 2016, which took place in Cologne last week (August 15th to 21st).

Around 345,000 visitors attended from 97 countries, including 30,500 trade visitors.

In terms of the number of companies in attendance, it was a new record, with 877 firms in total – a rise of nine per cent year-on-year. These companies were from 54 different countries, up from last year’s 45.

"Never before have so many companies presented themselves as at Gamescom 2016," event organisers said in a statement, "The foreign share of 68 per cent (up from 65 per cent in 2015) thus achieved a new peak.

"The foreign share of trade visitors also increased to 53 per cent."

Overall, more than 500,000 visitors came to Cologne during the week.

Gamescom 2016 boasted a mix of new hardware, games, VR and eSports. There was also a social media stage powered by the BMVI (Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure), the cosplay village, family and friends, the Gamescom campus and other areas of entertainment.

This year, Gamescom encompassed 193,000 square metres; the partner country was Turkey.

Gerald Böse, president and CEO of Koelnmesse GmbH, said: "Gamescom is the most important business platform for the European computer and video games industry. The growth by nine per cent and the renewed increase in the internationality of exhibitors confirm this leading position impressively."

Dr. Maximilian Schenk, MD of the BIU (German games industry association), the sponsor association of Gamescom, added: "Gamescom this year impressively confirmed that it is not only a video game trade fair, but instead a 360 degree event for the future of digital entertainment. Games are the leading medium of our time, and for this reason more and more partners and guests from politics, the economy and many parts of society are coming to Gamescom to experience and discuss the digitalisation of media, the economy and society."

Gamescom 2017 will take place from Tuesday August 22nd to Saturday August 26th in Cologne.