Once a year the world of video gaming descends on Cologne, Germany, converging on the Cologne Trade Fair (Koelnmesse).

Gamescom is touted as the world’s largest gaming event, with over 275,000 visitors passing across its 120,000 square metres of expo space in 2011. More than 5,000 journalists and 557 exhibitors from 39 countries were present in 2011.

The numbers are still being crunched for 2012, but from my first hand experience, I think it’s fair to say it is equally as massive.

Below are a selection of pictures taken in the consumer halls. The first pictures in the series were taken on the opening press day, where no general visitors were allowed in, explaining the relative scarcity of people. The later pictures in the series show just how packed out the halls become as the show gets into full swing.

So much has gone on at this year’s show that I haven’t been able to write fast enough. Stay tuned next week for some hands-on features and previews of the upcoming greats in gaming.

Check out more of MyGaming’s Gamescom 2012 coverage to find out what’s been going down at this year’s show.