Nintendo will make a rare appearance at Gamescon 2023

Look who’s coming to Gamescom 2023: Nintendo.

The publisher, which has opted for YouTube broadcasts over formal participation in major video game trade shows for the past decade, said on Wednesday it would appear at Gamescom 2023 in Cologne, Germany, this summer. The expo runs from Aug. 23 to Aug. 27.

Nintendo’s marketing strategy since 2013 has reshaped how everyone now gets their game news, regardless of console. The company hasn’t done a live onstage presentation since E3 2012 – you know, the kind of glitzy extravaganza that made former Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime a household name. Since then, the company has instead run a series of hugely popular Nintendo Direct broadcasts whenever it has something to say. And other publishers and platform holders have followed suit.

Even as Nintendo transitioned to its pre-recorded broadcasts, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic shut down so much of the traditional video game calendar, the company still had a booth on the show floor at major trade shows. Last month, however, the Electronic Software Association, which hosted E3, canceled the show for good.

Gamescom, which is open to the general public unlike E3, is a very different show. The Nintendo exhibition in Cologne follows the launch on July 21 of Picmin 4so it’s possible the company will then have something to show that it hasn’t announced until now.

Gamescom is a gaming fair and expo organized in Germany since 2009. Last year, Gamescom’s Opening Night Live livestream hosted by Geoff Keighley revealed launch dates, updates and other announcements for more than 30 games, including Dead Island 2, Hogwarts legacy, Gotham knights, And Sonic Limits.