Gamescom, Respawn and the newly branded Devcom series of B2B events will take place from August 20th to 26th.
It’s a packed schedule, so while you may be busy with those all important meetings and attending interesting talks, you might want to grab a few hours down-time (which we’ll call ‘after-hours networking’).
The best parties in town
To get you the lowdown on all the parties and networking opportunities in Cologne during the week, PocketGamer.biz has put together a list of the go-to Gamescom shindigs.
Of course we’re biased, so we reckon you should head to our very own events:
The Big Indie Pitch @ Gamescom 2017 with iDreamSky
The PC Indie Pitch @ Gamescom 2017
Pocket Gamer Mobile Mixer @ Gamescom 2017
But there’s plenty of other places to party and get your networking on at.
Saturday August 19th
Dutch Courage 3 – Cologne
When: 7pm to 10pm
Where: Meltdown Cologne, Kyffhäuserstr. 39, 50674, Cologne
How: Eventbrite
Cost: Free
More info: Dutch developers showcase their games during thé pre-mixer for DevCom, Respawn and GamesCom 2017.
Sunday August 20th
devcom 2017 official Meet & Greet and VIP & Speaker Reception @ Gilden im Zims on SUNDAY evening
When: 8pm to 1am
Where: Gilden im Zims, Heumarkt 77, 50667, Köln
How: Eventbrite
Cost: Free
More info: Reception for speakers and attendees at Devcom. No open bar.
Monday August 21st
Devcom Developer Night powered by InnoGames
When: 8pm to 2am
Where: Bootshaus, Auenweg 173, 51063 Cologne
How: Accessible to all Devcom registrants. More details here.
Cost: Free
More info: The official devcom party, which is powered by InnoGames, welcomes you at the Techno-Club Bootshaus!
Tuesday August 22nd
European Mobile Drinks at Gamescom 2017
When: 5pm to 7pm
Where: KölnSky, 27th floor, Ottoplatz 1, Cologne
How: Invite only
Cost: Free
More info: An exclusive networking opportunity of games industry representatives. Also includes food and drink.
The Big Indie Pitch @ Gamescom 2017 with iDreamSky
When: 5pm to 7:30pm
Where: Hyatt Regency Cologne Hotel, Kennedy-Ufer 2A, 50679, Cologne
How: Eventbrite
Cost: Free
More info: The Big Indie Pitch is returning to Gamescom. So, come join us for networking and pitching, as we once again put the spotlight on some of the world's best indie developers. Even if you’re not pitching, come down to check out the games, grab a drink and get networking.
The PC Indie Pitch @ Gamescom 2017
When: 5pm to 7:30pm
Where: Hyatt Regency Cologne Hotel, Kennedy-Ufer 2A, 50679, Cologne
How: Eventbrite
Cost: Free
More info: Our globe-trotting indie developer competition is entering the PC space, and where better to launch The PC Indie Pitch, than at Europe's largest gaming event. Even if you’re not pitching, come down to check out the games, grab a drink and get networking.
Pocket Gamer Mobile Mixer @ Gamescom 2017
When: 7:30pm to 11pm
Where: Hyatt Regency Cologne Hotel, Kennedy-Ufer 2A, 50679, Cologne
How: Eventbrite
Cost: Free
More info: In case you haven’t been to one before, our mobile mixer is the perfect networking event to end a busy day at a show. With an entertaining panel curated by our sponsors G-STAR, featuring big name industry figures, opportunities to chat with people from across the industry and free drinks galore, you’re bound to have a good time (and maybe do some business too!).
InnoGames Beach Party 2017
When: 7pm to 1am
Where: Cologne Beach Club km689, Rheinparkweg 1, 50679, Cologne
How: Eventbrite
Cost: Free
More info: Enjoy chilled drinks in a relaxed atmosphere.
Wednesday August 23rd
Game-A-Licious Lunch with AppLike in Hyatt Regency
When: 12:30pm to 3:30pm
Where: Hyatt Regency Köln, Kennedy-Ufer 2A, 50679, Köln
How: Eventbrite
Cost: Free
More info: A partner lunch hosted by AppLike serving food and delivering talks.
SwissGames-Happy Hour @ Gamescom 2017
When: 4pm
Where: Koelnmesse, SwissGames Pavilion, Business Area, Hall 4.1, Booth C13 D14, Messeplatz 1, 50679, Köln
How: Eventbrite
Cost: Free
More info: Get a beer, play great games and grab some Swiss chocolate.
Gamescom Mixer (Epic Games)
When: 5pm to 7pm
Where: Joe Champs Deutz, Constantinstraße 96, 50679, Köln
How: Eventbrite
Cost: Free
More info: Epic Games will be hosting a Gamescom Unreal Engine mixer at Joe Champs Deutz, just outside the conference venue. Join in for drinks and networking
Paymentwall’s Wild Wild West Gamescom Boat Party 2017
When: 7pm to 11pm
Where: Landebrücke (Docking Station) Nr. 3 am Kölner Altstadtufer / Frankenwerft
How: Sign up here
Cost: Free
More info: The boat party is a place where people from tech and gaming industries connect with top publishers, game developers, producers, and journalists from Gamescom. Spots are limited as our boat can carry only 300 people.
Gamigo VIP Party
When: 7pm
Where: Wartesaal am Dom, Johannisstraße 11, 50668 Köln, Germany
How: Click here
Cost: Free
More info: Free entry, free drinks, a DJ and cosplay. This event will be open to all Gamescom attendees.
Nordic Party at Gamescom
When: 8pm
Where: Biergarten am Aachener Weiher
How: Just turn up! More details here.
Cost: Free
More info: It’ll be in a garden – and there’ll beer. And Nordic people – a lot of them.
Thursday August 24th
Fish Bun Reception Gamescom 2017
When: 12pm to 1:30pm
Where: Messepl. 1, Halle 3.2, 50679, Köln
How: Turn up!
Cost: Free
More info: Further details here. Join for lunch and networking, of course!
Amazon Community Mixer
When: 8pm to 10pm
Where: CaféBar, die wohngemeinschaft, Richard-Wagner-Straße 39, 50674, Köln
How: Eventbrite
Cost: Free
More info: Meet and mingle with the Lumberyard, Amazon Game Studios, and AWS teams - a great opportunity for industry networking or for just relaxing after a long day on the showroom floor.
Friday August 25th
Adventure-Treff-Party 2017
When: 2pm to 12am
Where: Poller Strandbar, Alfred-Schütte-Allee 34, 51105 Cologne, Germany
How: Click here
Cost: Free
More info: Adventure-Treff staff, board members, adventure-fans, developers and publishers can meet in a pleasant atmosphere after the stressful Gamescom fair. Chillout music, eating and drinking, relaxed atmosphere and just best people invited!
DLC! Die Gamescom 2017 Aftershowparty!
When: 6pm to 5am
Where: TaKe's Gaming Bar, Alte Linner Straße 93 – 97, 47799, Krefeld
How: Eventbrite
Cost: €5 to €15 (Also VIP rates)
More info: Highway tickets include round trips to and from the venue, a free drink for passengers. Party also includes DJ FlakeZ, beer pong tables and the Shot Wheel of Fortune.
Wargaming Player Party 2017
When: 7pm
Where: Palladium, Schanzenstrasse 40, 51063, Cologne
How: Sign up here
Cost: Free
More info: For fans and developers alike, the event will feature special guests including the Wargaming devs, contributors, community team and more. Live music, drinks and partying throughout.
Star Citizen Gamescom Party
When: 9pm to 11pm
Where: Gloria Theater, Apostelnstrasse 11, Köln, 50667
How: Click here
Cost: €30
More info: Cloud Imperium showcases some of what it's been working on this year.
Networking hotspots
Not all the networking takings place at Gamescom itself or at the plethora of parties, there are also a few hotspots where games industry professionals like to hang out at the end of the day. Below we list some of the best.
The Corkonian Irish Pub
Where: Altermarkt 51, Cologne, Germany, 50667
Cologne Marriott Hotel
Where: Johannisstraße 76-80, 50668 Köln, Germany
Got a party you'd like to add or networking hotspot you think should be included? Let us know in the comments or email craig.chapple@steelmedia.co.uk and we'll get them added!
