Gamescom 2018 is set to be one of the biggest events of the year for gaming.

This is the games conference for hands-on gaming, giving us a real look at what the future holds for consoles and PCs alike.

Gamescom this year is set to be a stunner with great games and potential hardware announcements for 2019 and beyond.

The gaming conference opens to the press and public with dates running across several days.

Generally, companies use this event as a way to show-off new games with advanced demos.

Here's what you need to know about all the good stuff we should see at Gamescom 2018.

Gamescom 2017

When is Gamescom 2018?

The Gamescom 2018 event will start on Tuesday August 21 for trade visitors.

Public access will open from Wednesday August 22.

The event wraps up on Saturday August 25.

When are the key announcements?

Lots of major announcements should be made, some of which will appear in the press conferences of each game or hardware company.

Microsoft is due to start its Xbox livestream conference at 3:30pm BST on Tuesday August 21 where it's expected to announce more on Forza 4 Horizon, Crackdown 3, Sea of Thieves DLC, a new Elite 2 controller, new hardware deals and more "surprises".

Nvidia has teased an event it's calling "GeForce Gaming Celebration". The last time the company had an event of this scale was when it revealed its new GeForce 10 series two years ago.

Other conferences have not been given a set time.

Which games will feature?

PlayStation at Gamescom 2018

A new Spider-Man game (
Image:
Sony)

While Sony tends to focus on Paris Games Week in October for announcements, its new Spider-Man game is due out on September 7, so expect a big focus on this to help the build-up.

The zombie game Days Gone could also make an appearance.

Nintendo at Gamescom 2018

(
Image:
Nintendo/GameFreak)

After showing off Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Pokemon Let's Go at E3, expect plenty more at Gamecom 2018 with lots of hands-on demo time for gamers and the media alike.

At a push we might get treated to a glimpse of Metroid Prime 4, Bayonetta 3 or Pikmin too.

Xbox at Gamescom 2018

Forza Horizon 4 will hit Xbox consoles in October

As mentioned above, after the press conference there should be time to play the likes of Forza 4 Horizon in a more developed form.

Also expect appearances from Crackdown 3 and Sea of Thieves DLC.

FIFA at Gamescom 2018

Xbox One X

Expect FIFA 19 to get shown off plenty at this year's Gamescom 2018 at the EA stand.

Single player and multi-player modes should be ready but if both can be tried remains to be seen.

Battlefield V at Gamescom 2018

Expect EA to also roll out the latest Battlefield ready to be played, albeit in an early form of the game.

We'd expect to see multi-player modes shown off here too.

Call of Duty at Gamescom 2018

Expect Activision to be showing off its main title for 2018 at Gamecom in the form of Call of Duty: Black Ops 4.

While this won't be a single player campaign there could be a look at the hyped Blackout Battle Royale mode.

Destiny 2 at Gamescom 2018

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Image:
Getty)

While Activision is showing off its shooters, it'll more than likely have the latest Destiny 2 DLC available too.

Destiny 2: Forsaken features a new campaign, Raid and team multi-player mode and Gambit all up for testing.

Assassin's Creed Odyssey at Gamescom 2018

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Image:
Ubisoft)

Ubisoft will be at Gamescom this year which means so will its top title, Assassin's Creed.

The latest Assassin's Creed Odyssey should be playable at the event.

Also expect Ubisoft to offer playable versions of Starlink, The Division 2, Skull & Bones plus Rainbow Six Siege.

Pokemon: Let's Go and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate at Gamescom 2018

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Image:
Reddit)

Nintendo is attending this year's Gamescom and with it should come some classic titles renewed.

Pokemon: Let's Go Pikachu! and Pokemon: Let's Go Eevee! will be available to play.

Also ready to test out should be Super Mario Party and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Devil May Cry 5 and Resident Evil 2 at Gamecom 2018

Resident Evil

Capcom is showing up to the event this year with two sequels that should get fans excited.

Resident Evil 2 and Devil May Cry 5 should both be available as playable demos at the show this year.

All other exhibitors at Gamescom 2018

The rest of the gaming exhibitors making an appearance this year are:

  • 1C Company
  • 505 games
  • Amazon
  • Asus
  • Bandai Namco
  • Bethesda
  • Blizzard
  • CD Projekt
  • Deep Silver (Koch Media)
  • Epic Games
  • Focus Home Interactive
  • Frontier
  • Gameloft
  • Google
  • Green Man Gaming
  • HP
  • Intel
  • Kalypso
  • Konami
  • Logitech
  • MSI
  • Nvidia
  • Plantronics
  • Razer
  • Samsung
  • Sega
  • Square Enix
  • Team 17
  • Techland
  • Turtle Beach
  • Wargaming
  • Warner