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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.

Regional Association Games & XR Mitteldeutschland Sets Out Its Claims for Thuringia

Politics

Regional Association Games & XR Mitteldeutschland Sets Out Its Claims for Thuringia

Games & XR Mitteldeutschland has drawn up a five-point plan to encourage politicians to support the games industry in Thuringia. The main focus is on implementing measures that have long been standard practice in other German federal states.

By Stephan Steininger • 3 min read

German Games Market is Growing Despite Declining Revenues Form Game Sales

Business

German Games Market is Growing Despite Declining Revenues Form Game Sales

Total revenue of €9.38 billion was generated in Germany in 2025 from games, gaming hardware and accessories. This represents a 4% increase on 2024. According to the game, performance varied significantly across segments. Some calculations have changed due to a change in data service provider.

By Stephan Steininger • 3 min read

Games/Bavaria: Ticket Sales For GG Bavaria Business Day at Gamerei Started — "Games Minister" Mehring during the Opening of the Gamerei in Munich in 2024. © Bavarian State Ministry for Digital Affairs

Events

Games/Bavaria: Ticket Sales For GG Bavaria Business Day at Gamerei Started

Games/Bavaria has revealed further details about the GG Bavaria Business Day, which takes place the day before the German Computer Game Awards ceremony. The event will be held at the Gamerei. Tickets are available for €75. Students are eligible for a discount.

By Stephan Steininger • 2 min read

Gamescom Dev Extends Deadline for Submissions For Indie Expo — Picture: game events/gamescom dev (formerly devcom)

gamescom

Gamescom Dev Extends Deadline for Submissions For Indie Expo

Indie developers wishing to exhibit at the gamescom dev indie expo now have an extra three weeks to apply for one of the discounted stands. However, the early bird period for tickets will not be extended and ends on 31 March.

By Stephan Steininger • 1 min read

DAK Study: Problematic Video Game Use Continues to Decline in Germany — Verena Holler (Founder and Speaker ‘Smarter Start at 14’ parents' initiative), Dr Michael Hubmann (President of the Professional Association of Paediatricians), Dr Kerstin Paschke (Principal researcher and medical director of the German Centre for Addiction Issues in Children and Adolescents (DZSKJ) at the UKE), Andreas Storm (CEO DAK) and Julia Rasche (Head of Press and Political Communications & Press Officer) | Screenshot press conference

DAK Study: Problematic Video Game Use Continues to Decline in Germany

The latest edition of the DAK study issues a stark warning about the increasing use of chatbots, which is exacerbating problematic social media use. Gaming, on the other hand, is on the decline, even though the proportion of pathological gaming behaviour is rising again.

By Stephan Steininger • 3 min read

Next Womenize! Event Planned in Berlin in Early June — Opening panel during the comeback of Womenize! as an onsite event 2024 © Susanne Müller

Next Womenize! Event Planned in Berlin in Early June

Womenize! Games and Tech is returning to Berlin as an in-person event on 3 June. Details of the programme for what is now the 11th conference for women, non-binary people and all marginalised voices in the games and tech industry will be announced at a later date.

By Stephan Steininger • 1 min read

Sandbox Interactive is Launching Albion Online on Xbox in April

Products

Sandbox Interactive is Launching Albion Online on Xbox in April

On 21 April, Sandbox Interactive’s Albion Online will launch on Xbox as a fully optimised gaming experience. Thanks to seamless account linking, the game is available across PC, mobile and Xbox – the first console platform to support this cross-platform play.

By Stephan Steininger • 1 min read

Indie Hub is Looking for Submission for Indie Game Fest Cologne in Early May

Events

Indie Hub is Looking for Submission for Indie Game Fest Cologne in Early May

Indie Game Fest Cologne will once again take place on 8 and 9 May at the Wasserturm Hotel. 55 exhibitor teams will have the opportunity to showcase their work to the community, other studios, as well as publishers and investors. Registrations are still open, with a special offer for solo developers.

By Stephan Steininger • 1 min read

Wista Management Appoints Christian Boldt as Head of House of Games Berlin — The LUX, which will be home to the House of Games, and Christian Boldt | Pictures: Daniel Hinz (Lux), Christian Boldt

People

Wista Management Appoints Christian Boldt as Head of House of Games Berlin

Bit by bit, the House of Games Berlin is becoming a reality. Wista Management, the operating company, has now filled a key position: Christian Boldt has been appointed Leader of the House of Games Berlin.

By Stephan Steininger • 2 min read

Takeover of The Settlers Online Brings CipSoft a New Record Revenue and a Bonus For Its Staff — CipSoft Managing Director Stephan Vogler with the “Germany’s Best Employers 2026” award | Picture: Gero Breloer/Bernd Thissen für Great Place to Work Deutschland GmbH

Business

Takeover of The Settlers Online Brings CipSoft a New Record Revenue and a Bonus For Its Staff

According to preliminary figures for 2025, CipSoft has generated over €28 million in turnover. The online game developer and publisher has thus surpassed the results of its record year in 2020 and plans to pay its staff a bonus equivalent to almost eight months’ salary.

By Stephan Steininger • 2 min read

ESRB Reportedly Will Not (Yet) Include Criteria Unrelated to Content in Its Age Ratings — Christopher Dring, Ian Rice and Dirk Bosmans (from Left) | Screenshot from The Game Business Show

ESRB Reportedly Will Not (Yet) Include Criteria Unrelated to Content in Its Age Ratings

The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) apparently has no plans to tighten age ratings on the basis of loot boxes or other non-content-related factors. However, the debate over age ratings seems far from over.

By Stephan Steininger • 2 min read

Co.Vision Kick-off: Gaming-Related Projects Among New MFG Funding Programme — The Co.vision team at the kick-off meeting in Stuttgart | Picture by MFG/Yaez

Funding

Co.Vision Kick-off: Gaming-Related Projects Among New MFG Funding Programme

A total of nine projects have been selected by a panel of experts for the new Co.Vision funding programme run by MFG – Medien- und Filmgesellschaft Baden-Württemberg. The programme is designed to specifically promote cross-sector collaboration.

By Stephan Steininger • 2 min read