Gamescom puts on a record-breaking show

Around 345,000 people visited the main event at Cologne's trade fair center, with many thousands more attending smaller events across the western German city. Video game fans swarmed the city, easy to spot due to their striking outfits.

Cosplayers draw inspiration from their video game heroes, and this group has decided to honor the Pokemon franchise. The augmented reality game "Pokemon Go" took the world by storm only weeks ago and sent Nintendo's stock sky-high.

Hundreds of thousands of people from 97 countries roamed the Cologne venue during the five-day event. Many of them decided to check out the stand promoting this year's multiplayer hit "Overwatch."

Video game sales in Germany will total $4 million this year, according to analysts with the industry information service Newzoo. A major part of this is games for smartphones and tablets, with the classic PC and console markets on the back foot worldwide.

American actor David Hasselhoff is hard at work in Cologne, promoting the next Call of Duty game "Infinite Warfare."

The character of Morgana from the game League of Legends also found her way to Cologne. The game, often abbreviated to LoL, is immensely popular and many of the world's best players compete for high cash prizes.

Even before Gamescom opened its gates, the gamers were looking forward to testing new virtual reality devices, which are praised as the next big leap in gaming. VR systems such as Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and Samsung's Gear VR are slowly finding their way to buyers. This gamer is testing Sony's VR headset, expected to be released in October.

Exhibitors also showcased their new VR technologies by offering a simulated parachute jump, or a rollercoaster ride with moving chairs to immerse the players in racing through loops at incredible speeds.

Organizers upped security at the massive event in the wake of Islamist terror attacks in France and Germany. Visitors were asked to hand over their imitation weapons at the entrance. At the same time, employees working at the stands could be seen carrying fake guns and rifles as a part of their costume.

Gamescom has grown in size and reputation since it was first held in 2009. This year, the city authorities decided to light up Cologne's iconic cathedral and the central bridge over the Rhine in honor of the event. The motto of Gamescom 2016 is "Heroes in New Dimensions."

Super Mario Bros. is one of the most beloved video games ever made. Young gamers in Cologne can also try out Nintendo's 1985 classic and see why their parents play it to this day.

This old-timey cinema invites gamers to play Mafia III, the latest sequel to 2002's gritty masterpiece. Reportedly set in the 1960's New Orleans, the game is expected to tackle topics such as racism and the Vietnam War, with a black protagonist climbing through the ranks of organized crime.

Another beloved Japanese franchise, Gran Turismo, is promoting its upcoming installment with this BMW M6. The Sony PlayStation exclusive needs to beat the high bar set by its six predecessors. The Bavarian carmaking giant is there to lend a hand.