GamesMarket Daily – 14. Aug. 26: Transparency, Kalypso Media, Daedalic, Games Ground, Mattel and Gamescom

Transparency, dear readers,

is a key cornerstone of democracy. Even though – or rather because – my heart lies with the games industry, I believe it is the right and important decision for the industry association game to publish, for the first time, a transparency report on its work, its key performance indicators and also its lobbying activities. Especially as the industry’s interests and proposals to policymakers are all entirely justified. Games are a driving force for the future and the medium of the digital society. As such, support is vital. However, it is also important that support is provided in the right way, rather than simply throwing money around blindly. After all, both the industry and gamers benefit most from funding when it is sustainable. And that is why transparency is particularly important when it comes to lobbying, in order to win over critics.

Here are the news of the day!

Your Stephan Steininger

Game Publishes Transparency Report on Its Website For the First Time

Membership numbers, political activities, data on turnover and expenditure – for the first time, game has made its transparency report publicly available on its website. The figures show a stable association, but come as no surprise. Similar reports were available via the Bundestag.
(Read more...)

by Stephan Steininger

Road to gamescom – Everything You Need For a Successful Business Week in Cologne

From emergency contacts to party guides, tips for traveling in Cologne and information for trade visitors and exhibitors: Learn everything there is to know about being at gamescom on our big service portal.

Find All Info Here

A Legal Perspective: What does Twitch's Automatic AI Training Mean?

GamesMarket's IT law Expert Sandra Spensberger explains the legal problems around Twitch's new AI scraping of streamer content. From game content to personal data, she explains why Twitch's approach will be problematic - and why it's still no easy question.
(Read more...)

by Pascal Wagner, Sandra Spensberger

Mayor Visits Kalypso Media to Mark Its Anniversary

The importance of games as an economic factor is particularly evident outside the major cities. For Worms, Kalypso Media is also an economic beacon, which is why Mayor Stephanie Lohr dropped by the office to mark the anniversary.
(Read more...)

by Stephan Steininger

More News of the Day...

Daedalic Days 2026: All the Announcements

During its first "Daedalic Days – Late at Night" showcase, Daedalic Entertainment provided a glimpse of its games line-up. From Woodo to Hordeguard: Winds of the North and Curse of the Crimson Stag, to Barotrauma: Home & Harbour.
(Read more...)

Pokémon Pokopia Sold Over 5 Million Copies

Just in time for the release of the new Expansion Pass, Nintendo has reached a milestone with Pokémon Pokopia. The title has sold over 5 million copies worldwide, both physically and digitally.
(Read more...)

Beyond the Trailer: How Take-Two Turned GTA VI’s Marketing into a Revenue-Generating Product

With the Netflix exclusive ‘GTA VI: An Extended Look’, Take-Two has turned promotional gameplay footage into a premium, event-style piece of content with potential license revenue. In his update, industry expert Zoran Roso analyses whether this is now the new gold standard in games marketing.

GamesMarketZoran Roso

Games Ground 2026 Reveals Free Indie Expo Winners

11 studios have been chosen by an expert jury for free slots on the Indie Island at Games Ground Berlin 2026. Among them are Aldamami, CobraTekku, Findling Game and more.
(Read more...)

Mattel Establishes Its Own Game Studios Unit to Self-Publish Its Own Mobile, Fortnite and Roblox Games

Mattel has announced the launch of Mattel Game Studios. The unit, which has nearly 300 employees, will be responsible for the development and marketing of the company's in-house digital games, particularly on mobile and platforms such as Roblox and Fortnite.
(Read more...)

Nigeria is Heading to gamescom for the First Time

Nigeria will have its first gamescom pavilion ever this year, in Hall 4.1. The booth is organised under Games from Nigeria by Nigerian studio Maliyo Games and the French Embassy in Nigeria, while PR is handled by Narratify. The booth design comes from Kucheza Gaming.
(Read more...)

Game Studies Watchlist 2026 #31

The Game Studies Watchlist newsletter, curated by Professor Rudolf Inderst, is published weekly on GamesMarket. This week’s edition focuses Her Story, critical approaches to cultural game studies and Call of Duty: World War II.

GamesMarketRudolf Inderst

Binary Impact, Gamigo and MicroProse Show gamescom 2026 Lineup

Binary Impact is bringing two, gamigo three and MicroProse a full 18 games to gamescom this year. Binary Impact is also welcoming LKA RLP President Mario Germano.
(Read more...)

New Indie Publishing Label Blue Ridge Games Signs Mafate

The new indie publishing label Blue Ridge Games has been established by IndieGameBusiness. Their first game will be French cosy adventure Mafate by Blue Ramen Studios.
(Read more...)

Knights Peak Partners With Microids for Retail Sales of Hela: of Mice & Magic

Knights Peak, part of My.games, and the French publisher Microids have entered into a partnership. The partnership centres on the retail distribution of Hela in targeted territories and to selected retail partners.
(Read more...)

Expeditions: Samurai

Following Expeditions: Conquistador (2013), Viking (2017) and Rome (2022), Campfire Cabal and THQ Nordic are continuing the historical tactical role-playing game series with the release of Expeditions: Samurai. The game launched in Early Access with major new additions.

GamesMarketMarcel Kleffmann

Exhibitions & Events

06.07. - 23.08.2026: Esports World Cup (Paris)
23.08. - 25.08.2026: gamescom dev (Cologne)
25.08.2026: gamescom opening night live - tbc - (Cologne/Stream)
26.08. - 30.08.2026: gamescom (Cologne)
27.08.2026: gamescom congress (Cologne)
04.09. - 07.09.2026: PAX West (Seattle)
04.09. - 08.09.2026: IFA (Berlin)
18.09. - 20.09.2026: Gaming Istanbul (GIST) (Istanbul)
18.09. - 20.09.2026: Nexus Nerd Rock Festival (Leipzig)
21.09. - 23.09.2026: D.I.C.E. Europe (Athens)
22.09. - 25.09.2026: Game Devs of Color Expo (online)
23.09.2026: Open Stage Games BW (Suttgart)
23.09. - 25.09.2026: Northern Games Summit (Kajaani)
26.09. - 27.09.2026: Zurich Pop Con Game & Show (Zurich)
29.09. - 30.09.2026: DevGamm x FTW! (Belgrade)

Find more events in our GamesMarket calendar.