Game Rhineland-Palatinate Calls for More Support From State Politicians

The regional representation of the game association in Rhineland-Palatinate wants to rise from the midfield of German gaming locations. To this end, new demands have now been made on state politics, which are primarily, but not exclusively, about money.

Rhineland-Palatinate (RLP) actually has numerous factors that make it an above-average location for games. Its universities are strong in the gaming sector, the local talent is creative, and there are several established gaming companies, including Ubisoft Mainz, where the new Anno 117: Pax Romana is currently being finalized. And yet, the state usually ranks in the middle of the Germany-wide ranking of games industry locations. In new demands, game Rheinland-Pfalz, the regional representative of the game association, has now formulated what it believes needs to happen to change this.

Three points are at the forefront: 1. The structures of the local industry must be strengthened. 2. Funding must be raised to a competitive level. 3. GameUp! Rhineland-Palatinate must be expanded.

Those responsible in state politics will have to spend more money on all three points. This applies in particular to point 2, i.e. state funding. Here, the regional representation is very specific and demands an increase in the budget to €2 million per year. In addition, an EU-notified funding guideline is to be made available. This would remove the current de minimis limits.

The demand for a budget of €2 million is bold: Rhineland-Palatinate has already increased its budget for 2025, but is still well short of this target, as the GamesMarkt overview (for 2024) shows. On the other hand, according to game RLP, projects that are currently eligible for funding have to be rejected due to a lack of budget. This means that the potential is not being fully realized.

The other demands are more indirectly related to money. Here, game wants to promote the expansion of training and further education opportunities, create a contact point for game founders, and initiate further measures that will lead to an overall strategy in the field of games in RLP. Particular importance is attached to the GameUp! RLP industry forum, which strengthens visibility and networking in the region. More resources are needed there, in the form of two full-time positions. That also costs money. In this respect, it remains to be seen how state politicians, who are certainly interested in games, will respond.