With near half a million expected to hit Gamescom 2019 this week, the Cologne-hosted show comfortably falls as the world's largest video game trade fair. Microsoft has left its mark with a sizeable booth of Xbox One and PC experiences, from Gears 5, Halo on PC, among other upcoming blockbusters. The platform holder has also debuted a custom line of Xbox-swathed sneakers, displayed to attendees over the days ahead.
The craftmanship of FRE Customs and Footlocker backs this Xbox collaboration, with seven one-of-a-kind designs adapting iconic silhouettes from Nike, Adidas, Vans, and Puma. The collection lies on display all week, with giveaways planned among guests each day.
Microsoft's spin on the Puma Pirelli Replicat-X and Nike Air Max 720, via Aaron Greenberg, alongside the Cyberpunk-themed Air Max 720 Saturn and Minecraft Dungeons Vans Sk8-Hi.
Two Vans Sk8-Hi sneakers lead the collection, reworking the lightweight shoe in Gears 5 and Minecraft-themed designs. The upcoming brutal shooter puts a deep red tone on the canvas upper, with Gears 5 stamped on the midsole, and a "bound by blood" tagline on the heel. Minecraft's dungeon crawler spinoff accompanies in a vibrant twist, with an ankle-embossed profile of the new "Redstone Monstrosity" mob.
Forza Horizon 4 finds perfect pairing with the Pirelli-branded Replicat-X, building upon the 2019 Puma collaboration with the tire tycoon. The motorsport-inspired look first used tread patterns from Formula 1 tires, now branded with Microsoft's hit racer, stripes, and a checkered PUMA formstrip. The Puma Thunder X Mercedes AMG Petronas undergoes a pink and green transformation too, mirroring Battletoads' eccentric beat 'em up tone.
The collaboration also drops two flavors of the Nike Air Max 720 representing Halo: The Master Chief Collection's upcoming PC debut and Cyberpunk 2077. Microsoft's genre-defining shooter revises the curved design with olive and gold highlights, emulating its armored hero. The Air Max 720 Saturn injects themes from CD Projekt Red's neon-lined dystopia, complementing its futuristic setup of zips, straps, and a transparent Air sole unit.
Wrapping up the set is Bleeding Edge's take on the Adidas Continental 80. Reflecting Maeve of the multiplayer shooter's hero roster, the sneaker receives a rough spray-painted purple and cyan finish.
The full collection is on display at Hall 8 of the Koelnmesse, through August 24, 2019. In the meantime, don't miss our roundup of Gamescom's first action-packed showcase.
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