Omdia: XR Market to Hit Rock Bottom in 2026, With Recovery on the Horizon

Funding

June 2026: Bavaria Funds 5 XR Experiences with €360,000

Five XR experiences get 360,000 euros from FFF Bayern's current funding round. Two of those projects are in development at Reynard Films, one at Tellux next. Ignota and Jost von Harlessem are funded as well.

By Pascal Wagner •

VR-XR-MR

Vertigo Games Shutters Amsterdam Studio, Formerly Force Field

Plaion daughter Vertigo Games has announced the closure of its Amsterdam office, the former Force Field Entertainment. CEO Richard Stitselaar says that "the VR market remains a challenging space".

By Pascal Wagner • 1 min read

Business

Two Zero Latency VR Locations Are Opening in Germany

Leading global free-roam VR company Zero Latency VR will be bringing its line-up to two new German cities. Two new venues are set to open in northern Germany, one in Bad Oeynhausen and one in Bremen.

By Marcel Kleffmann • 2 min read

People

Womenize! Inspiring Stories: Laura Gonzalez Fernandez

In their weekly interview series Womenize! features inspirational, diverse people who work in the games and tech industry, to share their experiences, give valuable advice and talk about their projects. In cooperation with Womenize! and Madeleine Egger, GamesMarkt is republishing these inspirations.

By Madeleine Egger • 7 min read

Daily

GamesMarket Daily – 18 Sep 26: Medienboard, Freyja Melhorn, EEF, EU Kids Act, BIG and BWI, Salt Games, Game Studies

A new president of European esports is set to bring a breath of fresh air, whilst the debate over the EU Kids Act continues. The Medienboard is celebrating the anniversary of its games funding programme, and Freyja Melhorn is featured in an interview.

By Stephan Steininger • 6 min read

People

European Esports Federation Elects Goran Kuzmić as President and Adopts ESBD Motion

Delegates from 27 Member Federations elected Goran Kuzmić during the General Assembly of the European Esports Federation (EEF), hosted by the Macedonian Esports Federation in Skopje. A motion submitted by E-Sport-Bund Deutschland was also adopted by the delegates.

By Stephan Steininger • 1 min read

Politics

EU Kids Act: Reactions and Analyses

Following the VGE and Bavaria’s Digital Minister Mehring, other stakeholders including the EGDF, Osborne Clarke and Digitaleurope have spoken out on the European Commission’s proposal for the EU Kids Act. One thing is clear: the details are crucial and they still need to be worked out.

By Stephan Steininger • 3 min read

People

Freyja Melhorn on the European Games Industry - GamesMarket Industry Leaders Survey 2026

How do gaming executives rate Europe's position in the global market? And what key challenges and trends are currently affecting the industry? We spoke to Freyja Melhorn, Director Marketing Communications BXDXO (Germany), to find out.

By Marcel Kleffmann • 3 min read

Esports

BIG and BWI Extend Joint Partnership

Berlin International Gaming (BIG) and BWI, the digitalisation partner of the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr), are extending their partnership for a second time. Going forward, they will also be deepening synergies in employer branding and community activation.

By Marcel Kleffmann • 1 min read