Short answers, pulled from the story.
Gamescom was first held in August 2009. The event arrived in Cologne after a five-month standoff between the Federal Association of Interactive Entertainment Software and the Leipzig Trade Fair. It grew from 245,000 visitors in its first year to 370,000 by 2018.
Geoff Keighley began hosting Opening Night Live from 2019. The streamed event takes place on the evening before the doors open to the public. It serves as a platform for major trailer launches and game announcements.
The global pandemic forced Gamescom to become a hybrid experience combining online and live elements. Gamescom 2020 moved portions of the show online starting on the 27th of August 2020. Gamescom 2021 and 2022 continued this hybrid model with both in-person and online components.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel opened the event in 2017. This marked the first time in history that a sitting Chancellor opened Gamescom. The political endorsement helped legitimize the industry in the eyes of the public and policymakers.
Minecraft was first shown at Gamescom 2011. The indie area has continued to be a launching pad for successful indie titles since then. It hosts events like the Indie Arena Bowl and provides panels and workshops for developers.