Game - German Games Industry Association
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Gamescom 2026 attendance rose 6% to 368,000 visitors
Gamescom 2026 saw a 6% increase in attendance, reaching 368,000 visitors, with a notable rise in international participation and exhibitors. In contrast, Rovio has closed its Copenhagen studio and cancelled the mobile game Sonic Blitz due to poor retention, impacting approximately 20 employees and reflecting broader industry challenges.
Gamescom 2026 sets new record as number of country pavilions increases by 25%
Gamescom 2026 is set to break records with nearly 50 country pavilions, a 25% increase from the previous year, and over 1,600 exhibitors from 67 countries. The event has sold out all exhibition space, including the largest indie area to date, and will feature over 380 speakers across numerous sessions. The German Games Industry Association and Koelnmesse GmbH anticipate a significant economic impact and a diverse celebration of gaming culture.
Policymakers across Europe told to do more to support local game industry
The German Games Industry Association (Game) is urging policymakers across Germany and Europe to implement stronger frameworks to support the local video game industry. The association argues that current governmental and regulatory support is insufficient by international standards, hindering the growth of game companies. Game calls for measures including start-up funding, production support, improved infrastructure, and tax-based funding systems to create internationally competitive conditions.
Gamescom 2026's exhibition area is fully booked for the first time
Gamescom 2026 has fully booked its exhibition area for the first time due to unprecedented exhibitor demand. Organizers are considering expanding the space for 2027 to accommodate growth and improve the visitor experience. The event will feature highlights like Gamescom Opening Night Live and the new Gamescom GDQ, with IGN partnering for the Gamescom Awesome Indies Show.
Gamescom 2026 is Completely Sold Out of Exhibition Spaces
Gamescom 2026 has completely sold out all exhibition space, with organizers the German Games Industry Association and Koelnmesse confirming the presence of numerous major companies including Bandai Namco, CD Projekt Red, Electronic Arts, Nintendo, and Xbox. The event will showcase games such as Metro Exodus and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Songs of the Past. Organizers are exploring expansion options for 2027 due to high demand.
Germany’s Mobile Games Market: Growing Revenue and a Diverse Community
Mobile games revenue in Germany reached approximately 2.7 billion euros in 2025, a 3% increase from the previous year, continuing a 25% growth trend since 2021. Over 28 million people play mobile games in Germany, with the average player age at 38.8 years and women making up 56% of the player base. The majority of revenue is generated through in-app purchases, driven by the free-to-play model.
IGN expands partnership with Gamescom, adds game previews to official indie showcase
IGN has expanded its partnership with Gamescom to produce the official livestream and create content for the "gamescom awesome indies show." This collaboration will now include game previews, a popular IGN content format, alongside trailer premieres and developer interviews. IGN will also continue to operate the "gamescom studio" on the show floor and produce bespoke content for Japan and China.
gamescom dev announces opening keynote by Amir Satvat and first program highlights
gamescom dev 2026 has announced its first program highlights, including an opening keynote by Amir Satvat on the future of the games industry. The event will feature new curated tracks for Animation, Level Design, and AI, with initial speakers and sessions revealed. The conference, taking place August 23-25 in Cologne, aims to bring together global industry professionals.
The Federal President of Germany Steinmeier to visit gamescom 2026 and open gamescom congress
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will be the first German head of state to attend gamescom, the world's largest video game event, in 2026. He is scheduled to open the gamescom congress on August 27 with a keynote speech and participate in a panel discussion focusing on the role of games in democracy and their broader societal impact.
Jobs roundup: June 2026 | Bernard Kim joins Appcharge advisory board
Several key appointments and elections have occurred in the games industry. Bernard Kim has joined Appcharge's advisory board, Romain Dijoux is the new studio head at Netflix's Night School Studio, and the German Games Industry Association has elected a new executive board. Other notable moves include Sam Hilary at Team17, Charlotte Spurgeon and Celeste Valentine at Imprint Studios, and leadership changes at Side.
Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil and Federal Games Minister Dorothee Bär to open gamescom 2026
Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil and Federal Games Minister Dorothee Bär are set to open gamescom 2026 on August 26. The event, organized by Koelnmesse and game – The German Games Industry Association, will also feature Minister-President Hendrik Wüst. Following the opening ceremony, guests will tour the exhibition to explore the latest trends in the video game industry.
gamescom latam 2026 wraps up with record-breaking results
gamescom latam 2026 concluded with record-breaking attendance, exceeding 154,000 visitors and marking a 17.5% increase from the previous year. The event facilitated over 13,000 B2B meetings, projecting an estimated US$180 million in new business and solidifying its role as a key platform for the South American games industry. Major companies like Nintendo, Electronic Arts, and PlayStation showcased over 400 games, including more than 60 new releases.
gamescom latam 2026 wraps up with record-breaking results
gamescom latam 2026 concluded with record-breaking attendance, attracting over 154,000 visitors and showcasing more than 400 games. The event also facilitated over 13,000 B2B meetings, projecting an estimated US$180 million in new business, solidifying its role as a key business platform for the Latin American games industry.
More Than 41 Million People in Germany Play Video Games
Over 41.2 million people in Germany, representing about 60% of the population aged 6 to 69, play video games, with the average player age being 38.3 years. Smartphones are the most popular gaming platform, followed by game consoles. The German games market saw a 4% growth in 2025, reaching approximately 9.4 billion euros, driven significantly by game consoles and PC accessories.
German Computer Game Awards 2026: game association congratulates the winners
The German Computer Game Awards 2026 celebrated outstanding German game development, with 'The Darkest Files' by Paintbucket Games winning 'Best German Game' and 'weltenbauer. Software Entwicklung' named 'Studio of the Year'. The ceremony also awarded 'Tiny Bookshop' for 'Best Debut' and 'Blue Prince' for 'Best International Game', with the 2027 awards set to be held in Berlin.
gamescom GDQ: Games Done Quick Brings a Speedrunning Spectacle to gamescom
Games Done Quick (GDQ) and gamescom are partnering to host gamescom GDQ, a three-day speedrunning event in Cologne, Germany, from August 28-30, 2026. This marks GDQ's first European event and will benefit Gaming for Democracy, an initiative supporting civic engagement through gaming. The event will be live on-site at gamescom and streamed globally on Twitch and YouTube.
Games Done Quick Announces gamescom GDQ, Its First European Event at gamescom 2026
Games Done Quick (GDQ) and gamescom have announced gamescom GDQ, a new three-day speedrunning marathon event set to take place from August 28-30, 2026, at gamescom in Germany. This collaboration marks GDQ's first European event and will benefit Gaming for Democracy, an initiative supporting civic engagement through gaming culture.
More companies, fewer employees: Germany’s games industry is recovering only slowly
Germany's games industry is showing slow signs of recovery, with a modest 4% increase in the number of companies to 956. However, employee numbers have fallen by 3% to 12,235. The industry association 'game' attributes the resilience to expanded federal funding programs and start-up scholarships, despite a global wave of consolidation.
gamescom biz launches enhanced all-in-one platform for 2026 attendees
gamescom has launched an enhanced version of its digital platform, gamescom biz, for the 2026 event, consolidating services for trade visitors, exhibitors, and media. The platform allows users to manage contacts, schedule meetings, and access event updates with a single login. New ticket categories, including the gamescom Business Ticket, are also being introduced for trade visitors, offering flexible access to gamescom dev and the main event.
Stephan Reichart transfers leadership of game events GmbH to Frederik Hammes
Frederik Hammes will take over as managing director of game events GmbH in May 2026, succeeding Stephan Reichart. Hammes brings over 20 years of industry experience, including a significant tenure at Travian Games. Reichart will remain involved until August 2026 to ensure a smooth transition for events like gamescom dev and the German Computer Game Awards.
