Hamburg Coalition to Strengthen Gamecity and Tackle High In-Game Spending

The coalition agreement in Hamburg has been finalised. SPD and Bündnis 90/Die Grünen want to strengthen Gamecity Hamburg and the Play Festival, build a house for the digital world and take action against excessive in-game purchases.

In the coalition agreement between the SPD and Bündnis 90/Die Grünen in Hamburg, both parties state that the media-economic innovation dynamic in the city will be strengthened, in particular by promoting AI and other technologies such as augmented reality/virtual reality. The funding/support of games through GameCity Hamburg is to be "further developed". Networks such as 'nextreality.Hamburg' and the PLAY Festival will also be strengthened. No further details were given. In general, the agile models of the Kreativ Gesellschaft are to be strengthened in order to promote the cultural and creative economy. Esports were not mentioned in the agreement.

In addition, a pre-set third-party block and a purchase amount cap for in-app and in-game purchases are discussed to improve transparency and protect those with high levels of debt, without further detail on how this could be implemented. Both parties recognise that children and young people are increasingly exposed to high levels of addiction and psychological distress due to the widespread use and consumption of social media and online games. To address this, both parties are developing a comprehensive action plan involving children, parents, schools and support organisations, and are committed to effective child and youth protection.

Another flagship project is the development of the 'House of the Digital World' on Gerhard Hauptmann Platz. In cooperation with the public libraries, the adult education centre, the youth information centre and other partners, this will be a place of education, participation and self-empowerment, where the urban community can keep up with the latest technological and digital developments, meet and exchange ideas. The coalition agreement does not explicitly state whether the local games industry will be allowed to play a role.

If both parties agree, the coalition agreement can be formally signed and Peter Tschentscher (SPD) can be re-elected as First Mayor. This will take place in the Bürgerschaft on 7 May 2025. Katarina Fegebank (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen) will remain his deputy and will take over an environmental authority.

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