The annual gaming convention Gamescom kicked off its 2023 event on Tuesday night with a presentation that included new trailers and release dates for anticipated games.
Taking place in Cologne, Germany, the event runs until Sunday, with gaming fans from Europe and around the world flocking to see the latest games and innovations.
For those unable to attend, during the first night’s presentation segment, named “Opening Night Live”, video game journalist Geoff Keighley hosted a live-stream. Here are the highlights from the presentation.
Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon: Part One – A Child of Fire
The first full trailer for Zack Snyder’s new Netflix film Rebel Moon: Part One – A Child of Fire was shown at the event. The film is described as an epic space opera and features Algerian actress Sofia Boutella in a starring role, alongside Hollywood star Anthony Hopkins.
The film will be split into two parts, with the first arriving on Netflix on December 22 and the sequel following on April 19.
Although Snyder is best-known for his work with existing franchises, the film’s story is completely original.
Alan Wake 2
A new trailer for the horror game Alan Wake 2 was shown, in advance of the game’s release on October 27.
The game is the long-awaited sequel to the 2010 Alan Wake, which has gained a cult following over the years.
The trailer gave a taste of what the gameplay will be like and reveals more details of the story.
Tekken 8
There was also a trailer and release date announcement for the eighth game in the popular fighting game series Tekken.
First released in 1994 on the PlayStation 1, Tekken has spawned several sequels that have become a mainstay of fighting game tournaments and favourites among fans of the genre.
Tekken 8 will arrive on the PlayStation 5, the Xbox Series X/S and PC on January 26.
Thank Goodness You're Here
Fans of goofy games on the Nintendo Switch were given a game to look forward to with Thank Goodness You're Here.
The new title is developed by Panic Inc – the same studio behind the popular Untitled Goose Game from 2019.
This new game looks to follow the same wackiness gamers experienced in Untitled Goose Game but with added chaos and characters.
Thank Goodness You're Here will be playable on the PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and PC in 2024.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
The latest game in the Call of Duty series is a reboot of Modern Warfare 3, which was first released in 2011.
A gameplay trailer screened at the event showed a player extracting someone from a Russian prison.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 will be released on the PlayStation 5, the Xbox Series X/S and PC on November 10.
Other highlights
Emirati game studio Kashkool Games has set up a booth at Gamescom to show off its upcoming game Sheba: A New Dawn. The title is a side-scrolling action role-playing game set in the Arab world, infused with mythical themes. Although it is still in development, a demo is available on Steam.
Two new games in the Sonic the Hedgehog series were also revealed, including a classic side-scroller called Sonic Superstars, coming out October 17, and an update to the Sonic Frontiers game, titled The Final Horizon, releasing on December 4.
A new trailer for the highly anticipated Assassin’s Creed Mirage was also shown. The new trailer features full Arabic narration, transporting the player to the 9th century Baghdad setting. Assassin’s Creed Mirage will be released on October 5.
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Tank warfare
Lt Gen Erik Petersen, deputy chief of programs, US Army, has argued it took a “three decade holiday” on modernising tanks.
“There clearly remains a significant armoured heavy ground manoeuvre threat in this world and maintaining a world class armoured force is absolutely vital,” the general said in London last week.
“We are developing next generation capabilities to compete with and deter adversaries to prevent opportunism or miscalculation, and, if necessary, defeat any foe decisively.”
MATCH INFO
Liverpool 2 (Van Dijk 18', 24')
Brighton 1 (Dunk 79')
Red card: Alisson (Liverpool)
Gifts exchanged
- King Charles - replica of President Eisenhower Sword
- Queen Camilla - Tiffany & Co vintage 18-carat gold, diamond and ruby flower brooch
- Donald Trump - hand-bound leather book with Declaration of Independence
- Melania Trump - personalised Anya Hindmarch handbag
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
