'Play video games anywhere' is the new hot topic being promoted at Gamescom 2018

Playing video games anywhere is the new trend being promoted by the online entertainment industry as the annual **Gamescom** trade fair opens its doors in the German city of Cologne. More people play video games on their smartphones now than on computers, said Felix Falk, head of German industry federation Game, adding that subscription games and cloud gaming are also hot topics this year. The fair, which opens to the public on 22 August and runs until 25 August, features exhibitors from more than 50 countries presenting their latest offerings. [caption id=“attachment_4606631” align=“alignnone” width=“1280”] Gamers play video games during the opening of the world’s largest computer games fair Gamescom in Cologne, Germany. Reuters[/caption] Among them, and a first in Germany is a video game which includes Nazi-era symbols after the country’s Entertainment Software Self-Regulation Body gave the green light for their use. In “Through the Darkest of Times”, devised by Berlin-based independent studio Paintbucket Games, players are cast in the role of resistance fighters in Third Reich Berlin. The display of Nazi symbols like swastikas is unconstitutional and illegal in Germany but “Through the Darkest of Times” was deemed an exception under a clause that allows their use for the purpose of artistic expression. Falk welcomed the decision, saying that “in individual, exceptional cases,” video games can now be put on the same level as movies and books. “I believe this is an important message for the equality of the medium and also for developers who are very involved and responsible in also treating difficult topics,” he said.