Gameskultur & Entwicklerpreis gGmbH to Organize the Deutscher Entwicklerpreis in Future

The organisers of the German Developer Award are setting the course for the future by establishing a non-profit limited liability company. The newly established company, Gameskultur & Entwicklerpreis gGmbH, will take over the strategic direction and organisation of the award. The aim is to secure and continuously expand the award for outstanding achievements in the development of computer and video games in German-speaking countries in the long term. The German Developer Award has been presented since 2004, with games.nrw e.V. having organised it for the past three years. With the establishment of the non-profit foundation, the regional association, as a shareholder, is now handing over the event to the gGmbH. This restructuring enables a clear division of responsibilities: the association will continue to focus on its core activities, while the foundation will further develop the DEP as a platform for showcasing the best games and facilitating innovation and exchange.

The foundation's charitable aims include strengthening the Deutscher Entwicklerpreis (German Developer Award) as an industry meeting place, promoting young talent through mentoring, and creating new networking and knowledge transfer formats. It also aims to increase the reach of the DEP in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and raise public awareness of the cultural aspect of gaming.

Benedikt Grindel, Board Spokesperson for games.nrw, says: "By establishing the foundation, we are creating a stable basis for the Deutscher Entwicklerpreis (German Developer Award). Our goal is to establish the DEP as the leading networking and professionalisation platform in the games industry. We want to raise the profile of outstanding teams and games, nurture young talent, facilitate networking, and invigorate the industry. The DEP will remain the central industry gathering at the end of the year. It will also be expanded through innovative formats and international perspectives from Austria and Switzerland."

Kristin Janulik is the managing director of the gGmbH and heads the foundation. Having been a board member of games.nrw until 2024, she is very familiar with the DEP as the current organiser of the award. The gGmbH is also supported by a foundation advisory board which promotes the development of the award's content throughout Germany from an international perspective. The foundation's circle of friends provides financial support and ideas to further its charitable purpose. The award ceremony will continue to take place annually in December, with the first ceremony under the auspices of the foundation taking place in 2026.

The Deutscher Entwicklerpreis (German Developer Award) will take place on 2 December 2025. Around 500 guests from the German games industry are expected to attend the gala evening at the Gürzenich in Cologne.