German Bundestag approves: Federal Budget for 2020 includes 50 million euros for games funding

The Finance Committee of the German Bundestag has decided: The federal budget for 2020 and the upcoming years will also include a funding in the amount of 50 million euros to promote computer game development in Germany. Thus, it is now certain that the games funding introduced only last year will continue at federal level. The decision was made in the adjustment meeting of the Finance Committee following a government proposal and finally provides the planning security demanded by game – the German Games Industry Association.

“The securing of games funding is a clear signal for Germany as a games location. The Finance Committee of the German Bundestag provides the important planning security by fixing the budget for the coming years,” says Felix Falk, Managing Director of game. “The decision as well as the broad consensus display the intent across party lines to make Germany a more vital player internationally in the field of computer game development. Now we are awaiting the successful notification of the funding directive by the European Union so that the numerous new projects in Germany can be put into action. As games industry, we are waiting in the wings.”

The introduction of a games funding at the federal level was already agreed upon in the coalition agreement between government parties CDU, CSU and SPD. Last year, the German Bundestag allocated a budget of 50 million euros, located at the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure, for this exact purpose for the first time. 380 project proposals were submitted to the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure for the pilot phase of the games funding, the so-called De-minimis-funding. Further 295 companies are already waiting with concrete projects for an EU notification of the final funding directive.

Further information: www.game.de