Italy is coming back in style at this year's Gamescom. At the common stand under the guidance ITA's (Italian Foreign Trade Agency) i IIDEA, the Italian association of the gaming industry, as many as 20 development studios will be presented. This national performance under the slogan "Games in Italy" clearly shows that Italy is no longer just a passive observer in the global video game industry — but an active player.
Below we present the three most interesting projects that stood out for their originality, ambition and presentation.
Three key studies and their noteworthy projects
Broken Arms Games – Under Par Golf Architect
This studio from Pijeva has already proven itself on the global scene with the game Hundred Days – Winemaking Simulator, and now they're back with a new concept — Under Par Golf Architect. The game is far more than just a golf simulator: it is designed as a creative tool for designing your own golf course, with elements of management, construction and strategy.
It is designed for a wider audience and is available on almost all platforms (PC, mobile consoles, new generation consoles). It is clear that the authors want to repeat the success of the previous title, but this time they are targeting an even wider market. For fans of creative gameplay, this could be one of the most pleasant surprises of the fair.
Italian Games Factory – Hell Galaxy
This is one of the more ambitious projects from Italy. Hell Galaxy combines space tactics, RPG mechanics, looter-shooter elements and a crafting system in a dark-cyberpunk universe. It targets an audience looking for depth, decisions that have consequences, and gameplay that isn't generic.
At first glance, the game draws inspiration from titles like Mass Effect, but retains its own identity through black aesthetics, character design and original lore. The game is still in development and is expected in Early Access format on PC, but according to the material presented at Gamescom – the potential is very much present.
Leonardo Interactive – storytelling remains their strength
The Roman studio may not have a brand new title on display at Gamescom, but their existing IPs are still very relevant. Dry Drowning, a dark psychological thriller with a visual-narrative approach, continues to win over audiences who prefer games with heavier themes and moral dilemmas. Their second hit, Willy Morgan and the Curse of Bone Town, remains a reference among modern point-and-click adventures.
Leonardo Interactive is using Gamescom to consolidate its position as one of the most reliable narrative studios from Italy, and they have announced that new titles are in production, including sequels to existing franchises and original projects.
Why does this all have weight?
These three projects show three very different approaches to game development in Italy — from creative simulators, to ambitious RPG experiments, to focused narrative. What unites them is a serious production approach, an author's stamp and the desire to go beyond the scope of the local scene.
The Italian gamedev scene may have been quiet until now, but Gamescom 2025 is the moment when it shows its teeth. Creativity is no longer a problem - now they have production, publishers, and an international language in which they present themselves to the world.
