Sweden Honours Hazelnut Studios With Government’s Export Award For CCI

Awards

Paintbucket Games, Yaldi Games And Reynard Films Among Finalists of Games for Change Awards

The finalists for the Games for Change Awards have been announced, and German studios and developers are among the nominees, with a total of five nominations. Paintbucket Games and Reynard Films have each received two nominations, whilst Yaldi Games, based in Scotland and Germany, has received one.

By Stephan Steininger • 3 min read

Awards

The Winners of the Italian Video Game Awards 2026

The 14th annual Italian Video Game Awards took place tonight. Tiny Bull Studios won the main prize. The ceremony was held as part of the B2B event, First Playable.

By Marcel Kleffmann • 2 min read

Awards

Two German Studios Nominated for Digital Vikings Awards

The shortlist for the Digital Vikings Awards, presented as part of Devgamm Gdansk, has been announced. Among the 12 nominated games across the four product categories are two titles from Germany. All Devgamm Gdansk participating studios are in the running for Studio of the Year.

By Stephan Steininger • 1 min read

Business

Narranauten Set up Registered Association

In 2024, several narrative designers and game writers founded the Narranauten initiative, under which they organised events in Germany. They have now set up a registered association.

By Stephan Steininger • 1 min read

Products

Ubisoft Releases Second CDLC for Anno 117

The second CDLC has been released for Anno 117: Pax Romana. The Blooming Cities Pack only includes cosmetic additions, while the team at Ubisoft Mainz continues to work on the next two DLCs for the game: The Hippodrome and Dawn of the Delta.

By Marcel Kleffmann • 2 min read

Esports

Second Esports Report on the German Esports Industry

The E-Sport-Bund Deutschland (ESBD) has published its second report on the German esports industry. It focuses on the industry's self-image, structures and future as it undergoes transformation. The report was prepared in collaboration with the Hochschule für angewandtes Management and PwC Germany.

By Marcel Kleffmann • 2 min read

GamesMarket Exclusive

Azerbaijan as an Emerging Games Market

Azerbaijan is one of the emerging markets in the games sector that doesn't receive much attention. This interview with Shahin Aliyev, co-founder and CEO of Dynamic Box, and Anatoly Strutinsky, SVP of Government & Industry Relations, EMEA at Xsolla, offers a glimpse into this market.

By Marcel Kleffmann • 6 min read

Campus

Game Studies Watchlist 2026 #24

The Game Studies Watchlist newsletter, curated by Professor Rudolf Inderst, is published weekly on GamesMarket. This week's topics include what it takes to become a ludologist, Xbox and talks with James Bentley and Alexander Vandewalle.

By Rudolf Inderst • 5 min read

People

Pokémon International's North American Champions Crowned in New Orleans

At the 2026 North American Pokémon International Championships, several EU players won the pot as well. Tournaments were held in Pokémon Go, Unite, the TCG as well as the classic Pokémon video games, although fought in Pokémon Champions.

By Pascal Wagner • 1 min read