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Stephan Steininger

Stephan Steininger

Stephan Steininger is Director of Operations and Editor-in-Chief of GamesMarket. As part of the magazine since its inception in 2001, he knows the GSA games industry by heart.

Womenize! Rolls Out Its Masterclass Series Across Germany Thanks to Federal Funding — Archive Picture by Womenize!

Business

Womenize! Rolls Out Its Masterclass Series Across Germany Thanks to Federal Funding

With its project Womenize! Games and Tech Masterclasses 2026–2028, the initiative is doubling down on its commitment to enhancing visibility and equal opportunity for women in the German gaming industry.

By Stephan Steininger • 1 min read

Wings Interactive Introduces White Label Publishing and Finishing Funds

In addition to funding self-publishing projects, Wings has introduced two additional forms of financial support for games created by women and gender-marginalized developers. Wings is thus reaching out to developers who need publishing support or whose projects are already in the final stages.

By Stephan Steininger • 1 min read

Kai Wienke Joins the Xbox DACH & CEE Team

People

Kai Wienke Joins the Xbox DACH & CEE Team

The German Xbox team has brought on Kai Wienke, an experienced communications specialist, as Senior Communications Manager for Xbox DACH (GSA) & CEE. Wienke most recently worked at Freenet.

By Stephan Steininger • 1 min read

GamesMarket Daily – 18. Aug. 26: game, Market data, ENC gamescom, Original Force, Stray Fawn, Sidekick, asap, Giants

Daily

GamesMarket Daily – 18. Aug. 26: game, Market data, ENC gamescom, Original Force, Stray Fawn, Sidekick, asap, Giants

The German market was down, gamescom is on track to set a new record, the ENC has been postponed and there’s new funding – in terms of news, it was a day of ups and downs for the industry.

By Stephan Steininger • 6 min read

Original Force Expands to Europe and Opens Studio in Mainz — Harley Zhao, Founder & CEO, Original Force, and Marco Pacifico, Studio Director Germany and Business Development Director (Pictures by Original Force)

People

Original Force Expands to Europe and Opens Studio in Mainz

The Chinese external development specialist Original Force is entering the European market and establishing its ninth global office in Mainz. It will be led by Business Development Director Marco Pacifico, who also serves as Studio Director for Germany.

By Stephan Steininger • 1 min read

German Gaming Market Down at Mid-Year

Business

German Gaming Market Down at Mid-Year

A decline in hardware sales, in particular, has caused the German gaming market to fall short of last year’s figures at mid-year. However, it is still too early to speak of a trend for the full year.

By Stephan Steininger • 2 min read

Gamescom 2026 Breaks First Records Even Before Opening — game-CEO Felix Falk and Gerald Böse, President and CEO of Koelnmesse (Pictures by game and Koelnmesse)

gamescom

Gamescom 2026 Breaks First Records Even Before Opening

More exhibitors, more country pavilions, and a larger indie area—gamescom has already broken its first records about a week before opening.

By Stephan Steininger • 2 min read

Warren Spector Announces His Retirement as Game Developer — Warren Spector was one of the headliners at the Nordic Game Conference in 2019 and has not ruled out continuing to contribute to the industry as a lecturer and consultant in the future (archive photo)

People

Warren Spector Announces His Retirement as Game Developer

In a post on LinkedIn, legendary game developer Warren Spector has announced his retirement from game development, even though there are still projects he would have liked to work on. He says it is time to write and read books, give talks and perhaps do some consultancy work.

By Stephan Steininger • 2 min read

David Diekmann and Sören Lohse

People

asap Brand Services Restructures and Appoints David Diekmann as MD

With a series of personnel changes, asap Brand Services, the full-service agency of Web Media Publishing, is restructuring. David Diekmann is being promoted to the management team. In addition, Pascal Pfeifer, Patricia Simon, and Sven Siemen are taking on new or expanded responsibilities.

By Stephan Steininger • 2 min read

TwitchCon Europe Returns to Berlin in 2027

TwitchCon Europe Returns to Berlin in 2027

Eight years after the very first TwitchCon Europe, the European edition of the creator festival is returning to the German capital. Not much information is available yet, but the dates have been confirmed.

By Stephan Steininger • 1 min read

EarReality Showcases Audio Games and Its Platform Twist Tales at Cinemo and ARD — Christian Mahnke, founder and CEO of EarReality

gamescom

EarReality Showcases Audio Games and Its Platform Twist Tales at Cinemo and ARD

EarReality is showcasing its platform for interactive audiobooks and audio games at gamescom. At both the ARD booth and that of in-car infotainment specialist Cinemo, the studios shows how games work without a screen, thanks to its no-code engine Twist and the Twist Tales platform.

By Stephan Steininger • 1 min read

GamesMarket Daily – 14. Aug. 26: Transparency, Kalypso Media, Daedalic, Games Ground, Mattel and Gamescom

Daily

GamesMarket Daily – 14. Aug. 26: Transparency, Kalypso Media, Daedalic, Games Ground, Mattel and Gamescom

The game Verband is making not only the German games market but also itself more transparent. Also in the news: a high-profile visit to Kalypso, plenty of gamescom updates, and Mattel’s new games division, which is very different from the former Mattel Interactive.

By Stephan Steininger • 7 min read