Setback For Preservation of Video Games in Germany: ICS Will Not be Continued

Business

IO Interactive Closes Istanbul Office, Gets Right to Project Fantasy

IO Interactive has secured the IP for their Project Fantasy and will finish it independently. However, the loss of their publishing partner means they are closing down their Istanbul office, only established in 2023.

By Pascal Wagner • 1 min read

People

Atari Appoints Andreas Deptolla as President for Europe and Expands Its European HQ in Münster

Atari is expanding its presence in Europe and has chosen Germany as the location for its European headquarters. Andreas Deptolla will head up the European business as President from Münster. Richard Snowdon has been appointed Vice President of Studios Europe.

By Stephan Steininger • 1 min read

Business

Asha Sharma Wields the Axe, Cutting 3,200 Jobs at Xbox

As announced, the new head of Xbox is turning Microsoft’s console unit on its head. 3,200 jobs are to be cut, 1,600 of them with immediate effect. Compulsion Games and Double Fine are being spun off via a MBO, Ninja Theory and Undead Labs are to be sold, and Arkane is working on a solution.

By Stephan Steininger • 3 min read

gamescom

Sony Interactive Will Once Again Not Have a Booth at Gamescom

As in previous years, Sony Interactive Entertainment will not be exhibiting at gamescom in 2026. It remains to be seen whether the company will participate in the event in other ways.

By Stephan Steininger • 1 min read

gamescom

Bringing Your Toddler to gamescom: All You Need to Know

Working parent or leisure trip with child? Find all about bringing your baby, toddler or kid to gamescom and gamescom congress, whether you are trade visitor, media, exhibitor or want to check out the entertainment area.

By Pascal Wagner • 2 min read

People

DGA Introduces New Board Members, New Student Initiative, and New Award Categories

The Dutch Games Association board has appointed Kees van der Zwet and Koen Deetman in place of Laurens Rutten and Viktor Wijnen, who left the board. DGA has also introduced a new student initiative to connect games education and industry better. The Dutch Game Awards got two new categories.

By Pascal Wagner • 1 min read

Products

Gothic 1 Makes a Top-10 Debut in German Games Charts in June 2026

THQ’s role-playing game remake failed to take the top spot, partly because EA Sports FC has returned to number one, boosted by the World Cup

By Stephan Steininger • 2 min read

Campus

G+ Researcher Spotlight: Michael Hebel, Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences

In our ongoing series about games researchers, we portrait the people wo bring game studies forward and define how game making is taught and learned at universities. Today in the spotlight is Michael Hebel of Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences.

By Pascal Wagner • 6 min read

gamescom

The Rise of Direct-to-Consumer Channels in Gaming

Advertorial | The video game industry is witnessing a significant shift as publishers move toward direct-to-consumer (D2C) channels, bypassing traditional platform gatekeepers like app stores and console marketplaces. Visit Xsolla at Gamescom to learn more.

By Xsolla • 1 min read