Gamescom 2025 is about to begin, and Geoff Keighley’s Opening Night Live (ONL) once again sets the stage for major announcements, world premieres, and exclusive gameplay reveals. This year, he will be joined on stage by Belgian host Eefje “Sjokz” Depoortere, who returns as co-moderator of the show. Among the highlights, many fans are eagerly watching for 007: First Light, with hopes that James Bond will make his long-awaited gameplay debut. With some of the biggest names in gaming already confirmed, this year’s edition looks packed – and it might even deliver some cultural highlights beyond gaming itself.
Date and Time
Opening Night Live takes place on Tuesday, August 19, 2025.
The broadcast starts at 8:00 PM CEST / 7:00 PM BST / 2:00 PM EDT / 11:00 AM PDT and is expected to run for around two hours.
How to Watch
The show will be streamed live worldwide, free of charge, across multiple platforms:
- YouTube: The Game Awards channel (see above)
- Twitch: twitch.tv/thegameawards
- X (Twitter): @thegameawards
- Facebook Gaming: via The Game Awards page
For the best quality and accessibility, most viewers prefer YouTube.
The Games Lineup
Several titles are already confirmed for Opening Night Live 2025, making it one of the most stacked editions yet:
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 7
- Resident Evil Requiem
- Ghost of Yōtei
- Ninja Gaiden 4
- The Outer Worlds 2
- Silent Hill f
- World of Warcraft: Midnight
And that’s only the start – Keighley has promised more surprises and world premieres throughout the evening.
Beyond Games: Special Highlights
Opening Night Live is not just about trailers. This year’s show will also include a live performance from Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, one of 2025’s most acclaimed releases and already a strong Game of the Year contender. Composer Lorien Testard and vocalist Alice Duport-Percier will perform music from the game live on stage in Cologne – a fitting spotlight for a title praised as much for its soundtrack as for its storytelling.
Another special feature will be a first look at Fallout Season 2, following the huge success of the debut season on Amazon Prime earlier this year. Together, these moments highlight how ONL has grown into more than a showcase of upcoming games – it’s a cultural event blending games, music, and entertainment.
Could This Be Bond’s Moment?
After the Summer Game Fest, IO Interactive promised fans that more gameplay from 007: First Light would be shown during the summer. At first, many expected another digital event in the style of the IOI Showcase. But now, the next logical step seems clear: First Light is set to appear at Gamescom.
The real question is whether the trailer will already premiere during Opening Night Live. In my view, the chances look good. IOI did announce some time ago that they will be at Gamescom — for example, with a public booth in the outdoor area behind Hall 8 — but they have yet to specify which games will be shown or what program is planned for the event.
That silence could be explained by internal organization and last-minute adjustments – or by the logistics of involving brand partners and VIP guests. Chief among them could be the cast of the game, with Patrick Gibson himself possibly stepping onto the stage in Cologne to introduce Bond’s first full gameplay trailer.
That would be nothing short of phenomenal. But even if Gibson doesn’t appear in person, and even if the trailer isn’t unveiled just yet, ONL still serves as the perfect stage-setter for Gamescom – festive, entertaining, and a reminder that James Bond’s next adventure is just around the corner.
Live from Cologne
I’ll be attending Gamescom in Cologne myself and will be in the audience for Opening Night Live. That means you can expect live impressions, on-site coverage, and detailed analysis right here on Expecting Mr. Bond – straight from the show floor.
Will you be watching ONL? Do you think Bond will appear? Let me know in the comments or on Twitter aka X/Facebook
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