The state of Berlin currently has no financial leeway to integrate the Computerspielemuseum (Computer Game Museum) into the House of Games. Further funding for the Internationale Computerspielesammlung (ICS) also seems unlikely.
The Berlin Computerspielemuseum (Computer Game Museum) will not be moving to the House of Games for the time being. According to last week's progress report, presented by Berlin's Senator for Economic Affairs, Franziska Giffey (SPD), there are currently no plans to relocate the museum. However, in the event of an optional future expansion of the House of Games Berlin to 15,000 m², there would be space suitable for museum operations. Despite its success at its current location on Karl-Marx-Allee, and given the tight budget, the Senate does not have the financial means to support the integration of the Computerspielemuseum into the House of Games, as no corresponding funds have been allocated in the budget. The Computerspielemuseum is the responsibility of the Senate Department for Culture and Social Cohesion.
The Computerspielemuseum is a private museum located in a central area of Berlin. In 2024, it received over 100,000 visitors. To strengthen its educational outreach, particularly for children and young people, funding was increased to €100,000 per year in the 2024/25 biennial budget, thereby enabling these programmes to be further expanded. Collaboration with libraries was strengthened and exhibition guidance was made available to visitors at all times. The 2026/27 biennial budget allocates annual funding of €97,000.
Support for the Internationale Computerspielesammlung (International Computer Games Collection, ICS) is also looking challenging. The ICS was also intended to move into the House of Games. Comprising 60,000 games, the archive includes the collections of the Computerspielemuseum and the USK, and is intended for research and educational purposes. Approximately €1.5 million in public funds has been allocated to the project. The current project phase ends on 30 April 2026. However, institutional funding from the federal government and the State of Berlin, which would cover the period up to April 2026, is not yet guaranteed. As the primary funding source, the federal government has not allocated budgetary funds for the continuation of the project beyond the approved period. Therefore, funding from the federal government and the State of Berlin for the period up to April 2026 cannot be promised at this time, but will be evaluated in further discussions.
