Gamescom: The Rude FAQ
For blurry, kölsch-fueled fever dream that is Gamescom Cologne.
Gamescom is a blurry, kölsch-fueled fever dream.
Here's a rude FAQ for next week, based on my own trial and error.
1: Which hotel lobbies does everyone hang out at?
A: Radisson Blu will be absolutely jammed (and fun filled) with meetings and people. This is my #1 spot for spontaneous bump-ins. The Dorint is also popular but has a smaller lobby. The Hyatt Regency houses the executives, publishers, investors.
2: What are the best parties and can I still get in?
A: Check out Grace Zhou’s master list of Gamescom parties. Thank you Grace for always pulling these together for everyone. Recommend following her for the next conference!
3: I don’t have a booth. Where can I take meetings?
A: There is a central courtyard within the Messe with food trucks and lots of picnic tables. It gets crowded by late morning, and can be hard to find each other in the crowd. I recommend getting a coffee nearby at the Dorint Hotel lobby, or the adjacent German restaurant Kölsche Braustube Düx. If you want more privacy, the Ibis hotel is a bit further but usually very quiet and easy to get a seat.
4: I need a beer. Where does everyone hang out at night? A: Everyone hangs out in Old Town at night - that’s the area west of Convention hall across the bridge and near the Cathedral. There’s a large square full of outdoor bars near the Gilden im Zims - I’d start there after dinner, and then just follow the noise north and east to see where everyone’s at.
5: I can drink in public??
A: Hell yes! One of my favorite things about Germany is that you can drink in public, and it’s part of the culture to buy a couple beers from the Späti (literally translates as late spot) and drink them out on the lawn. I’d recommend buying any Helles (my favorite kind of German light beer) and having a sip with your team on the lawn by the river with your team to celebrate a hard day’s work.
6: Is it Cologne, or Köln?
A: It’s Köln (pronounced koehln) and locals will appreciate you making the effort to pronounce it the German way. Cologne is the English translation, and is a type of perfume.
7: I need to organize a partner dinner. How do I do that?
A: I recommend OpenTable for quick and easy reservation booking. Some local German spots won’t be on there, and you’ll have to call to make a reservation. They don’t always speak English, so be prepared to read a sentence or two from ChatGPT.
8: Is Köln/Cologne safe at night?
A: Yes - Germany in general is very safe, and it’s a different vibe than GDC. Just follow the typical common sense rules like no earbuds at night, and you’ll be fine.
9: Are the cabs legit? Is Uber available?
A: Uber has become available in Germany since I lived there a few years ago. I recommend also downloading Free Now (used to be MyTaxi) - it’s the local German alternative taxi app to Uber, and might have better supply especially at peak hours.
10: Can I take the train? How does it work?
A: Yes the train is operated by Deutsche Bahn and taking the S line is convenient for getting from Old Town to the Messe. If it’s hot, raining, or you’re carrying a bunch of gear, you’ll be glad you took the train. I recommend downloading the DB app, and buying digital tickets. You just need to activate a train ticket when you board - they generally won’t check and it’s more “honor system”...
11: What’s the difference between Gamescom and Devcom?
A: Gamescom is the large B2B and B2C show that runs from Wed through Sunday. Devcom is a developer and indie focused show that happens on the Mon and Tues prior to Gamescom. If you’re looking for more of a GDC experience with a focus on talks, developer education, and the indie to publisher relationship, I recommend including Devcom in your plans. It’s the best way to maximize the full week in Köln. Tickets are purchased separately.
12: Do I need business cards?
A: Generally no - people at Gamescom are used to Linkedin. Have your QR code ready to scan (or be ready to scan the other person’s QR code, since they usually pull up their code instead). You can find this by tapping the search bar in the Linkedin app and looking for the square-ish icon.
13: What’s the best entrance into Gamescom?
A: The East Entrance is most popular for the business crowd since it’s right across from the Dorint and Radisson Blu - you can get into the convention and back to those hotel lobbies for meetings easily. I prefer the South Entrance since it connects to the train station. Use the South side if you want a quick escape to Old Town after the show.
14: The lunch area is completely packed. Where else can I eat and take a break?
A: My favorite hidden gems are L’Osteria Deutzer Brauhaus out the South Entrance near the Messe Deutz train station. L’Osteria is surprisingly high quality pizza, pasta, and espresso when you need a kick. Also has a good amount of space for taking a lunch meeting, and is a bit hidden so there is less of a crowd. Deutzer Brauhaus is solid German food and beer, and a nice outdoor shaded area - I try to go once every year.
15: What’s the fastest way to Old Town from the Messe Convention Hall?
A: You can either hop on the train (see prev. FAQ # for how to take the train), or you can take a nice walk across the bridge. You’ll pass by rows and rows and love locks on the famous Köln bridge, making for a nice way to end the day. It can get hot early in the summer, so be prepared to show up sweaty if you are walking mid day.
16: I have a day off. Where should I go to explore?
A: Köln sits on the Rhein river, and is absolutely jam packed with castles when you head south. You can see 10 of them in an hour, and even go up and tour some of them like Marksburg Castle if you’re a medieval nerd like me. I recommend taking the KD boat the way down for a relaxing and reflective ride as you look at the valley from the large windows, and then the train back from Mainz or Koblenz so you get back quickly. The boat takes 2 hours and the train takes 1 hour.
What am I missing?
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