Gamescom offers early peek into Santa's sack

Want to know what computer games you'll want to be unwrapping on Christmas Day? Then part of the answer lies in Germany.
 
This week the games industry descended on the city of Cologne for the annual Gamescom event, a showcase of the titles set to hit the streets this autumn and winter.

But while Microsft and Nintendo did not attend themselves with any hardware or first-party games, Gamescom, unlike many of the other industry trade shows, is also open to the public, giving real game buyers the chance to try demos and get first-looks.
 
Just before it began, they had their say on what's been hot and what was not over the past 12 months as the European Games Award winners for 2012 were announced.
 
Voted for by gamers across the continent, those celebrating included The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings as Best European Game, Battlefield 3 for Best European Action and Console Game and Driver: San Francisco for Best European Driving Game.
 
Looking ahead to Christmas, Assassin's Creed 3 took the coveted title of Europe's Most Wanted for consoles with online players desperate to get their hands on World of Warplanes.
 
And with a showfloor packed with established names and some new offerings, it is hoped the next few months will get virtual fun back on track for UK fans.

 
In the past year Britain has seen the slow demise of high street chain Game while the industry as a whole has had to cope with the surge in popularity of cheaper app-based games and a shift towards digital downloads, rather than traditional boxed products on the shelves.
 
But Guy Cocker, editor of GameSpot UK, managed to stay positive from his visit to Gamescom. He explained: "The best stuff I have seen is probably on Sony's platforms as they go really big there. They made a big push on their Vita handheld, with a charming game from the guys that made LittleBigPlanet called Tearaway.
 
"And in a year where most publishers have been happy to churn out established franchises, it was a pleasure to see a game called Puppeteer for PlayStation 3, which is certainly the first time I've ever seen one based on Japanese puppet theatre."
 
Earlier this month, gaming industry magazine MCV reported data from Chart-Track showing at the end of July, the UK recorded its lowest ever week of games sales.
 
Much of that decline was put down to the lack of new titles alongside events including the Olympics and the faltering economy.
 
However, it is hoped the traditionally-strong Christmas lead-up will revive the slump, thanks to expected best-seller titles from already popular and proven franchises.
 
These include Call of Duty: Black Ops II, Halo 4, FIFA 13, Formula 1 2012, Resident Evil 6 and Batman: Arkham City.
 
One other game that could prove a massive festive hit is the console version of worldwide phenomenon mobile app Angry Birds. Due out on PS3, Xbox 360 and Nintendo 3DS, Angry Birds Trilogy brings together Angry Birds, Angry Birds Seasons and Angry Birds Rio in one title that can be played using movement-controllers Kinect or Move for the 360 and PS3.

 
After pacing the floors of the show for three days, Daniel Krupa, Games Writer for IGN UK, said: "If what we saw a was a true representation for the Christmas ahead, there's going to be no clear winner.
 
"Nintendo hasn't revealed the release date for its Wii U and with a new PlayStation and Xbox almost certainly coming out towards the end of 2013, it's hard to see anything but the same triple-A titles dominating this year."
 
Gamespot's Guy was also cautious. He said: "I think this Christmas will be down over last year, as the established consoles have now been on the market for between six and seven years.
 
"The new Wii U console has the chance to do well, but like the 3DS and Vita, I think it could have a slow start.
 
"Right now, the games industry is holding its breath until the expected launches of successors to the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, which should reinvigorate the market."

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However, one Gamescom success appears to be the Brits flying the flag for the UK games industry.
 
Trade body Ukie is a partner for UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) and took 22 British companies out to Germany to exhibit on its own stand.
 
Dr Jo Twist, CEO of Ukie, said: "It has been a brilliant three days and a great atmosphere. We had a real mix of developers, such as Mediatonic, Games-Masters, and RedBedlam as well as other companies like PitStop Productions and PlayMob taking up the opportunity to do business on the stand in Cologne.
 
"We have had almost 1000 people come through, doing business, networking over beers and homemade scones. It has been a real success for the companies here at what is a fantastic games event for the best of British games businesses."

[Related article: Is the world's biggest gaming conference becoming irrelevant?]

Andy Payne, of UK publisher Mastertronic, believes that despite all the massive change the gaming industry is going through, the future is bright.
 
He said: "We all know that the way games are being sold has changed beyond all recognition and if you are not into digital by now, well good luck. But doing business face-to-face at such shows is still essential.
 
"We had a fabulous reaction to our digital-only Xbox Live Arcade version of Serious Sam 3 but we are also taking digital only releases from XBLA and PlayStation Network such as Worms Collection and putting them into a box and into shops for the first time in five years.
 
"AppyNation managed to release Fluid Football for Apple's iOS while at the show too and it is currently storming the charts. The industry has not been this exciting since the mid-80s."