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.
The German Developer Award differs from other awards for video games in one crucial respect: The spotlight here is also on the people behind the games: Developers, publishers, community managers – in short, all those who drive the German games industry forward.
That’s why we would also love to invite you to join us at our Games Germany table at the Deutscher Entwicklerpreis 2019, which will be held on December 11th in Cologne.
If you represent a developer studio that was founded less than 5 years ago and want to join us, please send us a mail by November 30th to info@games-germany.de, stating who you are and why you would like to attend. The winners will be drawn from all entries and informed on Monday, December 2nd at 12pm CEST.
Maybe you already heard about our Bobby Car race at gamescom 2019. Like last year, our members met on the last business day to heat up the business area. Eight drivers drove for fame, honour and for a good cause. Once again the winning Bobby Car will be handed over to Gaming Aid to be auctioned off during the German Developer Award.
This time the race was presented by the German Let’s Player and musician Sarazar.
Mit dem Laden des Videos akzeptieren Sie die Datenschutzerklärung von Vimeo. Mehr erfahren
games:net drove fast enough to take home the new challenge cup sponsored by Indie Game Fest, FFF Bayern came in second followed by Film- und Medienstiftung NRW.
We would also like to thank our sponsor BIG Bobby Car, who provided this year’s racing cars.
Only a few weeks left for the world’s biggest video game expo – gamescom. Of course, Games Germany and it’s associaton members will be there as well.
As every year, the various regional networks and funding institutions invite to their individual receptions at gamescom. There will be 7 different receptions in total:
Last, but not least, we will battle each other once again at our Games Germany Bobby Car Race on Thursday, August 22nd, at 4pm, starting point B021 C030. The winning Bobby Car will be signed and auctioned for a good cause to support Gaming Aid e.V. – a huge thank you to our sponsor BIG for the provided Bobby Cars.
We’re looking forward to seeing you at our receptions and hope you will be rooting for us at the Bobby Car race. But please, feel free to drop by the various booths anytime and see, what the German games industry has to offer.
Please be aware, unlike the years before, the Made in Germany area switched halls and is now located in hall 4.1 within the business area, which makes it even more accessible for you directly through entrance west, the business entrance.
We will provide you with a complete overview of what will happen at what time in the Made in Germany area next week. But already, please note in your diaries that we have switched halls and are now located in hall 4.1 in the business area. That makes it even more easy for you to reach us, as our hall is directly accessible through entrance west, the business entrance. We are looking forward to seeing you all there at one time or another. Make the best of the gamescom and maybe try to catch up on sleep already beforehand… It´s sure going to be exhausting days 🙂
Once again international developers met for good food, music and networking in Malmö at our reception. More than 200 people followed the invitation to kick off Nordic Game 2019. Games Germany and game invited the games industry already present on day 0 to join them and meet the German Industry and regional institutions. Maria Wagner (mbb), Sandra Winterberg (Mediennetzwerk.NRW), Linda Kruse (game) and Robin Kocaurek (Games Bavaria) welcomed everyone on this quite foggy, but nevertheless beautiful day.
Well, the GDC is already long gone in a sense, as there was a PAX already inbetween. We only want to give a short recap what happened for us at GDC, so you know and if you were not part of it, maybe keep it in mind for next year. Games Germany was partner, together with the GAME Bundesverband and our two members Mediennetzwerk.NRW and Games Bavaria at the German Reception. bout a hundred people met below the Oakland BAy Bridge for a relaxed evening far off the raunchous parties- Lots of business was discussed, but of course also food and drinks were consumed. We are glad, we all got the feedback that it was „a great evening“ or as some said „the best reception“ at GDC… So if you were not there, but want to get an invite for next year…drop us a line.
Also at the GDC Expo was the German Pavillion, were German companies presented themselves and also our member Mediennetzwerk.NRW who helped support some regional companies to get there. And of course all the mixers, parties, EGS, other side events,…but well you know and have already read about what happened there elsewhere. If not…well, drop us a line and we give you out 5 cents.
Yesterday it was decided that Gamescom will remain in Cologne for the forseeable future.
For 2019 it already was clear. It also was clear that we will have a Made in Germany area again in the business area and that some of our Games Germany members offer a place at their booths.
Please check out their offers and see whether you are eliglible:
The offer from games:net berlinbrandenburg can be found here
Whether you will become an exhibtor at one of our booths or whether you will be a visitor, we are looking forward to seeing you latest at gamescom, if not earlier, eg at the GDC or Nordic Game or…
The games industry in Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia started organising itself to better their representation of interest:
Games & XR Mitteldeutschland
We congratulate the regional industry on that move and are looking forward to a great relationship. Our partner MDM is the regional fund and network in that part of Germany and was of course involved with the genesis and will continue to closely cooperate with them, as our other regional partners do so with similar structures in their respective regions.
