After five extraordinary exhibition days, the world’s largest event for interactive games and entertainment, the gamescom in Cologne, drew to a close on Sunday. For the first time in the history of European trade fairs for digital gaming, two companies, Microsoft and Sony presented new game consoles that the consumers were able to try out for the first time worldwide. Over 340,000 visitors from 88 nations, including more than 29,600 trade visitors, transformed the exhibition grounds of the Koelnmesse into a unique trade fair and business event following the motto ‘next generation of gaming’. The attendance figures rose by 23 percent compared to the previous year. More than 635 exhibitors from 40 countries presented over 400 world, European and German premieres to the visitors and most important distributors from all over the globe on exhibition space covering 140,000 square metres, which was sold-out for the first time in the history of the gamescom. The interest in the gamescom was so high that all of the day tickets for private visitors were already sold-out in advance. Approx. 6,000 media representatives (+15%) from 61 countries brought five day’s of live coverage from the world’s largest interactive playground.

Gerald B’se, President Chief Executive Officer of the Koelnmesse GmbH: "This was games entertainment and business in a new dimension. The gamescom 2013 in Cologne has clearly underlined its position as the largest games trade fair. As organisers of the fair, we are delighted about this success and would like to thank the affiliated sponsor of the gamescom, the Federal Association of Interactive Entertainment Software (BIU) as well as the national and international exhibitors and partners."

"The gamescom 2013 was a complete success for the consumers, manufacturers and for the market. The more than 340,000 visitors impressively underline the constantly growing relevance of digital games. The new generation of games and consoles presented at the trade fair will give the market a clear boost," said Dr. Maximilian Schenk, Managing Director of the Federal Association of Interactive Entertainment Software (BIU). "Furthermore, the impressive increase in the attendance figures proves that the gamescom is the most relevant consumer and trade visitor fair for computer and video games worldwide," added Dr. Schenk. "We would like to extend our special thanks to the fans, the visitors, exhibitors, partners, to the City of Cologne, the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, to our partner country France and particularly to the Koelnmesse, who have turned the gamescom into such an impressive and fantastic trade fair experience and success," Dr. Schenk concluded.

Katharina C. Hamma, Chief Operating Officer of the Koelnmesse GmbH: "We have succeeded in further improving the sojourn quality for our visitors, even though with a total attendance figure of 340,000, there were 23% more visitors at the grounds this year than in 2012. This is both a huge challenge and a great success for our entire team. Rated according to the average number of visitors per day and exhibition space occupied, the gamescom clearly heads the rankings of the German major fairs."

Once again this year the world’s largest games trade fair presented its gamescom Awards to the best products and games. 64 products from a total of approx. 170 entries submitted were nominated for the final selection. According to the international jury of experts, Destiny, the latest game by the publishers Activision Blizzard is the "Best of gamescom". Destiny won prizes in four categories of the gamescom award 2013. Electronic Arts also picked up four prizes at the gamescom awards 2013 and Nintendo won three of the most coveted awards of the gaming industry. Further winners of the gamescom awards 2013 are posted here: www.gamescom-cologne.com/pressinformation