This is the first year of Gamescom.

And yes Microsoft was present last year at the Games Convention

Yeah, Gamescom took over for the cancellation of Leipzig Games Convention this year. However, I haven't found any information that tells me that Leipzig will be cancelled for all time, so I'd assume that it will be back next year. Since this is Gamescom's first year, we'll have to see. It comes right after GDC, so that'll be interesting.

It's funny how they support the GamesCom (after the Games Convention) although they ban games here in Germany and want to stop imports.

2008 numbers were:

203.000 visitors, 3.800 journalists and 547 exhibitors

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Games_Convention

At the moment 392 exhibitors will participate in this years Gamescom. Far less than 2008 in Leipzig, but hey more than 2006.

They went from Leipzig to Cologne because industry said it was too small for future events.
So it should be bigger then leipzig last year.

E3 is by far the King.

Leipzig is still alive

but it is not anymore a big "event"

Seems Leipzig GamesConvention has dwindled to some kind of onlinegames-only event..
I really doubt GamesCom can make for what Leipzig has been like 2 years ago (last time I visited)
E3's still the king

Why not ? Nordrhein-Westfalen (North Rhine-Westphalia fro non-Germans) has a bigger population than East Germany.

As I already said. Probably not this time, but I see huge potential in the following years.

It is definitely a big event, but it is not the place to make new announcements. Developers are showing its games and gamers from Europe get (maybe their only) chance to get their hands on future games. But I wouldn't expect much announcements from there.