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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.

About Tough Decisions and Great Joy Putting Together the Gamescom Dev Sessions — Nico Balletta, Head of Programme gamescom dev (Prictures: gamescom dev/game events GmbH)

gamescom

About Tough Decisions and Great Joy Putting Together the Gamescom Dev Sessions

The countdown to gamescom and to gamescom dev is on. The first speakers have been announced. In this interview, Head of Programme Nico Balletta reveals how the session list is put together, how he ensures a good balance, and why he believes it is essential to give young talents a stage.

By Stephan Steininger • 7 min read

Aesir Partner NightinGames Receives Federal Funding For Its Own Project

Funding

Aesir Partner NightinGames Receives Federal Funding For Its Own Project

With nearly 150,000 euros in funding from the federal government, the Bayreuth-based indie team NightinGames can now work on the Exsomnis: Fires of Vesuvius project. Shortly before this, the serious games studio ProLog had also been awarded a grant of over 800,000 euros.

By Stephan Steininger • 4 min read

GermanDevDays Extend Ticket Registration

Events

GermanDevDays Extend Ticket Registration

Submissions for the GermanDevDays in July have been extended until 11 July. The event takes place on 22-23 July.

By Stephan Steininger • 2 min read

ESBD Members Elects New VPs And Create New Role For Regional Representatives — Klemens Witt, Florian von Keller, Markus Möckel, Christian Hotz (from Left to Right) were elected as Vice Presidents (Picture: ESBD)

People

ESBD Members Elects New VPs And Create New Role For Regional Representatives

At their general meeting, the members of the ESBD filled three vice-presidential posts with Klemens Witt, Christian Hotz and Markus Möckel. Florian von Keller was also appointed as a vice-president; he will be the first representative of the regional associations on the ESBD Executive Committee.

By Stephan Steininger • 2 min read

Founder Valerio Di Donato Buys Italian Developer 34BigThings Back From Plaion

Business

Founder Valerio Di Donato Buys Italian Developer 34BigThings Back From Plaion

34BigThings is independent once again. The Italian studio announced that the company’s founder Valerio Di Donato had already bought back 100 of the shares from Plaion in April. A major project based on a well-known IP is set to be announced later this year. Further games are in development.

By Stephan Steininger • 2 min read

GIC Sprint Attracts 1,000 Visitors on Its Debut And Will Come Back in May 2027 — The Open Hall at GIC Spring 2026. (GIC)

GIC Sprint Attracts 1,000 Visitors on Its Debut And Will Come Back in May 2027

For the first time, the organisers of the GIC in Poznań have held a second GIC conference this year and are pleased with the result. 1,000 visitors came to Katowice for the GIC Sprint, which is set to take place again in 2027, though this time in early May.

By Stephan Steininger • 1 min read

BXDXO Confirms ‘Be A Hero’ Gaming Zone at Stuttgart Comic Con

Events

BXDXO Confirms ‘Be A Hero’ Gaming Zone at Stuttgart Comic Con

Comic Con Stuttgart 2026 will once again feature a 1,000-square-metre gaming zone. The ‘Be A Hero’ gaming zone is organised and curated by the Munich-based agency BXDXO. Müller is on board as a partner, and a Steam sale to coincide with the event is in the pipeline.

By Stephan Steininger • 1 min read

Austrian Showcase Makes Its Debut at Gamescom Asia — In 2025, gamescom asia took place for the first time alongside the Thailand Game Show in Bangkok

gamescom

Austrian Showcase Makes Its Debut at Gamescom Asia

In collaboration with the association Pioneers of Game Development Austria (PGDA), the ‘Spielschön in Austria 2026’ showcase will be making its debut appearance at gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show. Registrations are only open until the end of June.

By Stephan Steininger • 1 min read

Konrad Adenauer Foundation And R42 Organise Game Jam in Nairobi

Konrad Adenauer Foundation And R42 Organise Game Jam in Nairobi

The Leipzig-based Games Hub R42 has carried out an unusual project for the Konrad Adenauer Foundation: an entrepreneurship game jam in Nairobi, Kenya. The event was a resounding success for the organisers and participating organisations.

By Stephan Steininger • 1 min read

Microsoft Raises Xbox Prices Again And Plans Finance and Refurbished Programmes

Microsoft Raises Xbox Prices Again And Plans Finance and Refurbished Programmes

Microsoft has announced a global increase in Xbox prices with effect from 1 August. The move is attributed to rising and continuing increases in component prices for storage and memory. At the same time, Microsoft is exploring ways to offer a refurbished market or affordable financing options.

By Stephan Steininger • 1 min read

Google UK Confirms Launch of the Play Store Business Model

Business

Google UK Confirms Launch of the Play Store Business Model

Back in March, Google announced significant changes to its business model for the Google Play Store and a phased roll-out starting on 30 June. Google UK has now confirmed the launch.

By Stephan Steininger • 1 min read

Gamescom Dev Talk Review: From AAA to III – My Journey Into Poverty

gamescom

Gamescom Dev Talk Review: From AAA to III – My Journey Into Poverty

Not sure what sort of talks to expect at gamescom dev? Together with gamescom dev, we’re taking a look back at selected talks from 2025. This time, a short but fascinating talk by Espen Sogn, Founder & Head of Studio Jotun Games, on the desire to bring his own project to life.

By Stephan Steininger • 2 min read