Gamescom 2023
Trends
Gamescom 2023
From August 23-27, 320,000 gamers filled the halls of Cologne’s Gamescom 2023 – the world’s biggest gaming conference – for an opportunity to play the latest titles. We track 5 ideas pushing videogames in new directions, including AI-powered non-playable characters, more diversified ways to play together, and the huge success of mundane simulators.
1. Cross-cultural Storytelling
2. Humanising Non-Playable Characters with AI
3. Meditative Mundanity for Mental Wealth
4. Entertainment Streamers go Transmedia
5. Sustainability Simulators
Cross-cultural Storytelling
Mirroring the growth and success of cross-cultural narratives in entertainment streaming, the high-budget AAA gaming sector is platforming stories and cultural markers originating outside of western canons.
Heralded as “the first triple-A game out of China”, Black Myth: Wukong from Game Science had Gamescom visitors queuing for over five hours for a chance to play an exclusive demo. The action RPG is based on Journey to the West – a Ming Dynasty (16th century) novel about the mythical Monkey King. The tale is one of China’s most enduring literary myths; its gaming adaptation will familiarise global audiences with foundational cultural reference points of Chinese storytelling.
Meanwhile, Ubisoft showcased a new trailer for Assassin’s Creed: Mirage – the next instalment in its 15-year-old action adventure game series. The game will include full Arabic voice acting with English subtitles to accurately reflect its setting in ninth-century Baghdad – signalling a new commitment to representation by the French studio.
Humanising Non-Playable Characters with AI
Developers have set to work equipping non-playable characters (NPCs) with access to artificial intelligence (AI) to unlock lifelike behaviours.
Chinese online gaming company Kunlun showed trailers for Club Koala, a social gaming platform reminiscent of Animal Crossing. Here, people can make friends with AI-powered NPCs, who will remember what players have told them about themselves in text chat, and suggest shared activities and games based on what they learn.
In May 2023, American graphics and AI company Nvidia also pushed narrative immersion further using AI with a new toolset called Avatar Cloud Engine (ACE). It will let players chat through their mic to NPCs that can deploy real-time natural language and spontaneous facial and body animations, powered by AI.
Meditative Mundanity for Mental Wealth
Last year’s rousing success of Powerwash Simulator – with over seven million players so far having blasted a powerwasher in an expanding catalogue of virtual settings – revealed the calming catharsis chore simulators offer. In the absence of threats, antagonism or combat, these meditative simulators let players reap the dopamine rewards of immediate on-screen achievement.
Offering a sci-fi twist is Lightyear Frontier, a farming simulator set in faraway galaxies, from Swedish team Frame Break. Players must build a homestead and farm the land of an alien planet in a mechatronic (‘mech’) exoskeleton suit – more commonly worn by gamers in futuristic combat situations. Here, they personalise and upgrade their suit to be more effective alien agriculturists.
A bit closer to home, House Flipper 2 from Polish gaming studio Ancient Forge had fans lining up to try their hand at novel ways of restoring and reselling derelict homes before its December 14 release.
Entertainment Streamers go Transmedia
Netflix made its mark on the show floor with a celebration of its most beloved shows and the 70+ gaming titles available to subscribers. As its catalogue of re-released and acquired titles expands, its attention is turning towards original games that integrate with its video content.
Netflix has confirmed an upcoming videogame sequel that will expand American genre director Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon science-fantasy film series, which will drop on the platform in December.
Meanwhile, Sony-owned American video streaming service Crunchyroll – which mostly distributes anime series – is set to release One Punch Man World, set during the first season of its mega-popular show One Punch Man. More than a straight adaptation, the game will let fans discover expanded moments from the anime and experience familiar scenarios from new perspectives, depending on how they play through the story themselves.
Sustainability Simulators
Eco anxiety looms large in public consciousness. Forward-looking game companies are addressing these societal preoccupations by adding sustainability strategies and climate change scenarios to gameplay.
Take Imagine Earth, a planet colonisation and competition simulator first released in 2014. In September 2022, Imagine Earth added a game mode called Serious Mode, which unlocks gameplay that reflects the technological level of development on Earth in the 21st century. The focus of the game shifts from futuristic economic growth to managing resources and climate impacts.
Another game pivoting on environmental survival is Kind Nature, currently in development by German studio PolyPirates.
Following climate collapse, players will have to survive by banding together through hostile territory and build a homestead that is in synch with the natural world reclaiming earth.
Key Learnings
Add Empathy to Co-Op
Even in combat-centric games, there are myriad benefits of having friends around. In-game, split tasks in a team to allow players with different preferences to still hang out with their friends online – one might like to fight, while the other helps out by making restorative dinner at the team base.
Craft Content for Cognitive Regulation
Mundane simulators and rhythm games let players modulate their mental activity. Not limited to gaming, sensory stimulation is also cropping up in interactive video formats like NPC livestreams. Provide multisensory content that helps people access mental flow to help them switch off.
Acknowledge Eco Anxiety
67% of Americans aged 18-23 are somewhat or very concerned about climate change (WEF, 2022). The challenges of building sustainable societies are a part of young consumers’ lived reality; make them feel seen by incorporating these issues in your interactive experiences.
Elevate the Modders
Modders are an invaluable community- building and product-development resource. Whether they use already- sanctioned tools like Unreal Engine or are making a game fit their needs in the background, reach out to emerging creators and offer them a space to share their vision for your game with wider audiences.