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Marcel Kleffmann

Marcel Kleffmann

Marcel Kleffmann is Chief of Content of GamesMarket and our B2B and B2C expert for hardware, market data, products and launch numbers with more than two decades of editorial experience. (marcelDOTkleffmannATgamesmarktDOTde)

First Playable 2026 in Florence: A Look Inside — The roundtables at First Playable 2026 were well attended (c) GamesMarket MK

Business

First Playable 2026 in Florence: A Look Inside

First Playable 2026, Italy's leading B2B event for the local games industry, has been taking place in Florence since 10 June. Here's an overview of the event, which aims to raise the profile of games bearing the 'Made in Italy' label.

By Marcel Kleffmann • 7 min read

Recruiting & Employer Branding: Gaming and Esports in HR — Fachkräfteliga © KielRegion Gunnar Dethlefsen

Business

G+ Recruiting & Employer Branding: Gaming and Esports in HR

To attract new skilled workers and make companies more appealing to applicants, HR departments are turning to gaming and esports, beyond mere gamification. This serves as an effective employer branding strategy, as demonstrated by the following projects and initiatives.

By Marcel Kleffmann • 15 min read

The Winners of the Italian Video Game Awards 2026 — The Winners of the Italian Video Game Awards 2026 (c) GamesMarket MK

Awards

The Winners of the Italian Video Game Awards 2026

The 14th annual Italian Video Game Awards took place tonight. Tiny Bull Studios won the main prize. The ceremony was held as part of the B2B event, First Playable.

By Marcel Kleffmann • 2 min read

Rise And Fall: Mass Layoffs in the Games Industry

Business

G+ Rise And Fall: Mass Layoffs in the Games Industry

Following a strong upswing in the video games industry during and after the pandemic, the sector has experienced a difficult period marked by mass redundancies and studio closures. But what caused this?

By Marcel Kleffmann • 5 min read

Early Access Horses, Community Building, and Self-Publishing - An Interview With Aesir — The Legend of Khiimori © Aesir Interactive & Mindscape

Business

Early Access Horses, Community Building, and Self-Publishing - An Interview With Aesir

The Early Access launch of The Legend of Khiimori was a huge success for Aesir Interactive. We spoke to the two managing directors, Andreas Sirch and Wolfgang Emmer, about establishing a long-term community for a game, venturing into publishing and developing realistic horse games.

By Marcel Kleffmann • 10 min read

The Sinking City 2 — The Sinking City 2 © Frogwares

Products

The Sinking City 2

Frogwares is set to release The Sinking City 2 in August. Compared to its predecessor, the game will be a more traditional survival horror title, boasting a strong Lovecraftian atmosphere.

By Marcel Kleffmann • 4 min read

Game Members Elect New Board — From left to right: Clemens Mayer-Wegelin, Sandro Heuberger, Lars Janssen, Maxi Graeff, Benedikt Grindel © Franziska Krug for game - Verband der deutschen Games-Branche

Business

Game Members Elect New Board

At their general meeting in Berlin today, the members of game - the German Games Industry Association elected a new board of directors as part of their regular rotation. Three of the previous five board members did not stand for re-election due to career changes.

By Marcel Kleffmann • 1 min read

Flamehead Games' Fresh Take on the Classic Tower Defense Formula — Flamehead Games team photo (from left to right and from the top to the bottom): Luca Schmidt (Programming and Game Design), Julian Seidel (VFX and Game Design), Jan-Ivo Lattek (Animation and Character Rigging), Anica Gritzki (Game and Concept Art), Jennifer Seeber (Managing Director, Game Art and Concept Art) and Lucas Thieme (Game Design and Marketing). All six are co-founders of Flamehead Games © Flamehead Games

Business

Flamehead Games' Fresh Take on the Classic Tower Defense Formula

Flamehead Games made a strong impression at the German Computer Game Awards 2026 with Cards & Cannons. We spoke to the young studio about their humble beginnings, the support they received, and their innovative ideas, such as deck-building elements despite this not originally being part of the plan.

By Marcel Kleffmann • 7 min read

Astragon's Bus Simulator 27 Is Coming out in September — Bus Simulator 27 © astragon Entertainment

Products

Astragon's Bus Simulator 27 Is Coming out in September

During IGN Live, astragon Entertainment announced that Bus Simulator 27 will be released in September 2026. The first year of DLC was also announced.

By Marcel Kleffmann • 1 min read

Solarpunk — Solarpunk © Cyberware & rokaplay

Products

Solarpunk

It's on over a million Steam wishlists and has already racked up over 500,000 demo downloads. Solarpunk, the open-world crafting game from Cyberwave and rokaplay, could be the publishers' biggest hit yet.

By Marcel Kleffmann • 3 min read

Xbox Games Showcase 2026 Recap — Xbox Games Showcase 2026 © Xbox / Microsoft

Products

Xbox Games Showcase 2026 Recap

At the Xbox Games Showcase 2026, Microsoft presented Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution, as well as Senua, State of Decay 3 and the Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition. There were also numerous third-party announcements, including titles from Atlus, Focus Entertainment, and Sega.

By Marcel Kleffmann • 6 min read

First Playable 2026: The Schedule — First Playable 2026 © IIDEA

Events

First Playable 2026: The Schedule

The eighth edition of Italy's leading games business event, First Playable 2026, will take place in Florence from 10 to 12 June. Speakers and the programme have now been finalised.

By Marcel Kleffmann • 4 min read