COLOGNE/BEIJING:

A twisted futuristic "Call of Duty," Batman in Lego form, and the return of "Resident Evil's" ghoulish monsters had gamers salivating as the vast Gamescom trade show opens in Cologne, a spectacle shadowed by an industry still recovering from heavy job cuts and studio closures.

More than 5,300 fans packed one of the giant halls of Cologne's convention centre for the opening night, a record crowd according to organisers. The two-hour showcase of upcoming releases, headlined by Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 slated for November 14, underscored the draw of blockbuster titles.

Enlisting American actor Milo Ventimiglia — best known for roles in Heroes and This Is Us — the franchise's latest instalment throws players into a near-future conflict set against psychedelic backdrops rem

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