Gamescom is the biggest gaming fair and is being held in Cologne, Germany since 2009. Unlike it's american friend E3 which is accessible only to press, Gamescom helds it's doors wide open for all people, press or not.
Essential thing is that you pre-order / buy tickets online, prior to the event (better a few months before it starts). A great way not to miss the start of tickets' sale is to subscribe to their official newsletter: gamescom@visitor.koelnmesse.de
 |
| Did anyone think about how much electricity went for all the displays? |
One thing you're going to see a lot at the fair are the lines. As soon as you get to the entrance, you will get into a line (there are a lot of people there). Outside (and inside) of the fair you can find booths where you can get bracelet based on your age (12+ green, 16+ blue, 18+ red). If a game is 16+ and you only have green bracelet, then you won't be able to play it. Keep in mind that quite a lot of exhibitors (mostly the ones that have booths where 16+ or 18+ age is required) will ask you for your photo ID being shown before they let you play their game (because you know, you could gain access to the red bracelet even if you're not 18+). If you lose your bracelet you can find nearest booth with it and they will give you another one.
Gamescom is a crowded place. Publishers are really trying to make their booths look great and appealing. Some of them did a better job than others, but all of them contributed to better, exciting atmosphere.
 |
| Want to try and dance? Much fun (I didn't try though)! |
You can, of course, try new games, but lines are pretty long. I waited 1.5 hours to get hands on Shadow of Mordor (PS4 version) for 15 minutes. For Destiny I waited 2 hours, hovewer there I also received a free T-shirt and a card with artwork and in-game controls printed on it.
There are a lot more of other activities:
Watching competitive games (check schedule online before hand so you don't miss them and come to the event quite some time before it starts because you can bet that a lot of people will try to go and watch it, while seats are limited), trying to get something during giveaways, get hands on new gear (Oculus Rift, Nvidia Shield), checking merchandise (gaming apparel, comics, books, replicas ...), participating in events such as singing or dancing on stages, checking out the cosplayers (and taking pics with them!), gaming artwork, eating pretzels, overpaying water (bring yours with yourself so you save something here) and last but not least waiting in lines. It is crowded!
 |
The ticket to access all of the above costs around 10 € (see pricing here). It is not that expensive, in comparison to the travelling and accommodation cost. I recommed you to book at least few months in advance. If you don't manage to get appartment / hotel in the Cologne itself try booking in one of the nearest cities. Last year a train ticket was included in the price of the fair ticket (you got as an extra) so even if you we're accommodated outside of the Cologne (like me) hopping on the train, waiting 10 - 15 minutes and being delivered to the main station (that is literally next to the exhibiton center) was not an issue.
I'd recommed you to plan your trip the way that you go see something else aswell (besides experiencing Gamescom). Amsterdam is nice and close so consider it! Also, bring your friends and family with you so you won't be bored and you will have someone to talk to (keep in mind that your family might not be so interested in gaming as you are). You will probably get tired aswell (it can be quite exhausting), but if you're into it, you will have to motivation to keep "exploring" :)
 |
| eSports (this was LoL stage) |
 |
| Cosplay at Shadow of Mordor booth |
Protips:
- Bring backpack and foldable chair (hunting chair) and something to play / read while you wait in lines (if you want to play any big AAA games and you're not there, at the booth as soon as it opens you will have to wait quite a long time). Some people were playing cards and when the line moved for 15 meters they moved aswell, then stopped and continued playing.
- Have food and drink with you - this will save you some money, but I still recommend you to go into Cologne and "explore" the city (go check their Cathedral). Info on what to do / see in Cologne here.
- As I said before train ticket is included (well at least it was last year) in Gamescom ticket. Booking a hotel outside the Cologne in a city / town next to it can be good idea, since you might get hotel room cheaper. All you have to do in the morning is to hop on the train.
- Try to get to the exhebition center at least one hour before it opens (even in that case it's guaranteed you won't be first in line) - that way you will skip a lot of lines. Good method is to get to the entrance early in the morning and as soon as you get into the fair go straight to the booth of the game you'd like to try the most - in this case you will minimize the waiting in lines.
For more information keep an eye out on their website: http://www.gamescom-cologne.com/en/gamescom/home/index.php
 |
| Lines outside of the fair (early in the morning) |
 |
| How often do you see men restroom more crowded than women? |
