GamesMarket
Sign In Sign Up
Sign In Sign Up

Social Responsibility is No Stick-On Label (Commentary)

Steinmeier's and Virkkunen's promise to keep certain monetisation and dark pattern models in check has been decried in parts of the industry. But if it wants to adorn itself with social responsibility laurels, it will have to reckon with the truths behind these problems as well.

Pascal Wagner
Pascal Wagner
September 01, 2026 – 5 min read

Share this post

Social Responsibility is No Stick-On Label (Commentary)
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier brought some nuanced perspectives to the industry on stage at the gamescom congress. Not everyone liked that. (Photo: KoelnMesse / gamescom)

This article is free. Just create an account!



Enjoy first-class reporting and daily summaries from the games industry via our newsletter, without paying a dime. Subscribe now

Already have an account? Sign in

A Closer Look at Game Monetization: What Studios Should Bear in Mind Before the Digital Fairness Act Comes into Force
(Pexels, Shkrabaanthony)
Politics

A Closer Look at Game Monetization: What Studios Should Bear in Mind Before the Digital Fairness Act Comes into Force

The Digital Fairness Act will likely not stop at ingame monetisation. With the Children Survey done, the European Commission will likely target dark patterns that keep users playing or scrolling longer as well, argues our law expert Sandra Spensberger. What game studios can do right now.
By Sandra Spensberger • 3 min read
Minister Kaweh Mansoori: "Hesse Supports the Industry in the Tax Incentive Discussion"
Minister Kaweh Mansoori at the Hesse booth at gamescom 2026 (photo: GamesMarket, Pascal Wagner)
People

Minister Kaweh Mansoori: "Hesse Supports the Industry in the Tax Incentive Discussion"

We spoke to Hesse Economic Minister Kaweh Mansoori after his gamescom reception about what Hesse, home of Nintendo of Europe, Crytek, Keen Games, Deck13 and many more, can and wants to do better for the games industry.
By Pascal Wagner • 2 min read
European Commission Designates Roblox as Very Large Online Platform (DSA)
Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy © Mikko Mäntyniemi
Politics

European Commission Designates Roblox as Very Large Online Platform (DSA)

The European Commission has designated Roblox and Reddit as Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) under the Digital Services Act (DSA). ChatGPT has also been classified as a Very Large Online Search Engine (VLOSE). Roblox is the first game to be classified as a VLOP.
By Marcel Kleffmann • 2 min read
GamesMarkt 475
E-Paper

G+ GamesMarkt 475

Topics in this issue include: A Daedalic interview, a big postmortem in Housemarque's Saros, a portrait of King Art Games from Bremen as well as a huge survey among executives in the games industry.
By Team GamesMarket • 3 min read
GDC State of the Industry Survey Moves to November
Business

GDC State of the Industry Survey Moves to November

The GDC State of the Industry Survey by Informa moves from January to November releases, meaning it is open for answers now for the second time in 2026.
By Pascal Wagner • 1 min read
Finnish Game Studio MiTale Starts Transmedia Publishing
Business

Finnish Game Studio MiTale Starts Transmedia Publishing

MiTale from Finland has announced that it will start into publishing. The indie studio from Turku not only covers digital games, but also board games, graphic novels and books. Submissions will start early next year.
By Pascal Wagner • 1 min read
Marsupilami 2 – Salsa Palombia
Marsupilami 2 – Salsa Palombia © Ocellus Studio and Microids
Products

Marsupilami 2 – Salsa Palombia

Following the success of Marsupilami: Hoobadventure (2021), Ocellus Studio and Microids are continuing the series with Marsupilami 2: Salsa Palombia. Like its predecessor, this game is set to be fun for all the family.
By Marcel Kleffmann • 3 min read
Womenize! Inspiring Stories: Miriam Kaisers
People

Womenize! Inspiring Stories: Miriam Kaisers

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 • 5 min read
GamesMarket Daily - 4 September 2026: Hardware Theft @ Gamescom, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Nintendo, HWG Vienna, Icecrack Games, and more

GamesMarket Daily - 4 September 2026: Hardware Theft @ Gamescom, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Nintendo, HWG Vienna, Icecrack Games, and more

In response to the hardware theft, the gamescom organisers have released a more comprehensive statement and promised to address the incident. In other news, Microsoft is making changes to Xbox Cloud Gaming, while Nintendo has announced not one, but two presentations for next week.
By Marcel Kleffmann • 5 min read
GamesMarket

The Games Industry B2B Magazine for Europe, from Germany.

© 2026 Published with Ghost