Creative Europe Media: 17 Free Slots at Polaris 2026

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

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

Events

Brandmania 2026 Sees 1,000 Participants

The second Brandmania sees 1,000 attendants in Essen. Last year, Brandmate had rebranded into the new identity.

By Pascal Wagner • 1 min read

Funding

Pro Helvetia Launches Next Funding Round for Swiss Game Developers

A new funding round for the Swiss Work Grants for game developers begins on 1 July. The She Got Game programme will also enter a new round from September.

By Stephan Steininger • 1 min read

gamescom

Confirmed gamescom Exhibitors 2026

Want to know which exhibitors have already confirmed their gamescom presence? We are keeping count: In our always up to date list of exhibitors with links to additional info on the exhibition presence.

By Pascal Wagner •

Development

Godot to Implement Significant AI Ban

Godot is "adding barriers to low-effort slop": To protect the code and stop demoralising reviewers, the engine is banning vibe coding, autonomous AI agents and AI chats. New contributors will be restricted more, while at the same time taught better.

By Pascal Wagner • 1 min read

GamesMarket Plus

G+ Alpine Power: How to Keep a Studio 'Still Alive' for 16 Years

From indie to AAA, we periodically showcase a studio from the German-speaking development scene. This time: stillalive studios from Innsbruck (Austria).

By Marcel Kleffmann • 5 min read

Funding

Bavaria Reforms Games Funding: More Money, Better Professionalisation

Concepts up to 40,000€, prototypes up to 350,000€, lesser equity share, and immediate follow-up funding for projects that are so successful they can pay back their grant: Bavaria's new funding guidelines are a net positive for the games industry.

By Pascal Wagner • 2 min read

Business

IO Interactive Intends to Continue With Project Fantasy Despite Problems And Layoffs

On Twitter, the Danish studio IO Interactive has announced redundancies within the team working on its new IP project, Project Fantasy, after a partner – Microsoft, according to Bloomberg – pulled out. However the project itself is not in question.

By Stephan Steininger • 1 min read