Gamescom Video Convention Breaks Attendance Record

11:45 PM PDT 8/21/2011 by Scott Roxborough

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The European gaming confab drew 275,000 which represented an 8 percent increase in visitors over last year's event.

COLOGNE, Germany -- Europe's number one video gaming confab, Gamescom, hit a new attendance record this year, with 275,000 visitors making the trip to Cologne to check out the latest titles and trends in the gaming industry.

The figure represents an 8 percent jump on attendance in 2010 but remains just slightly behind Korea's G-Star convention, which last year drew 280,000 fans. With 550 companies represented, however, the Gamescom defended its title as the gaming world's largest industry event.

The surge in fan numbers temporarily overwhelmed Gamescom organizers, who closed the entrance to the event for a short time on Saturday as the crowd threatened to turn into a crushing mass. If Gamescom is to build on the momentum it has shown in its third year in Cologne, the confab will have to find a way to better accommodate its swelling fan base.

The 2012 Gamescom runs Aug. 15 -19, 2012.