Stephan Steininger, Editor-in-chief GamesMarkt © GamesMarkt Business Gaming Government Germany on the Horizon With Lars Klingbeil as designated Vice-Chancellor, the number of top politicians with an affinity for games continues to rise. Is this the political breakthrough for games as the leading cultural medium in Germany, asks GamesMarkt editor-in-chief Stephan Steininger. No, the designated Chancellor is not known as a passionate gamer. We By Stephan Steininger • 4 min read
SoundTrack_Cologne 2025 © SoundTrack_Cologne 2025 Business SoundTrack_Cologne 2025 Announces Video Games Composers The video games composers taking part in SoundTrack_Cologne 2025, the 22nd edition of the congress, have now been confirmed. Among them are Olivier Derivière, Paul Wolinski, Venus Theory, The Flight and Pieter Schlosser. At SoundTrack_Cologne 2025 (22nd edition), five panels and a masterclass will explore the art, challenges By Marcel Kleffmann • 1 min read
© Freaks 4U Gaming/ESBD/GamesMarkt Business Further Federal State Associations for Esports to Be Established in Germany Plans to establish esports associations at the state level are progressing in several federal states. According to the ESBD, an association is expected to be founded in Lower Saxony in May, with similar initiatives also taking shape in Saxony and Hamburg. The creation of regional associations at the federal state By Stephan Steininger • 1 min read
Baudelaire Welch, Senior Narrative Designer, Larian Studios @ Nordic Game 2024 © Nordic Game Business NG25 Spring: Speakers and Programme Finalised More than 170 speakers have confirmed their attendance at Nordic Game 2025 (NG25 Spring) in Malmö. The topics and programme for the conference, which starts in two weeks, have now been finalised. Nordic Game 2025 (NG25 Spring) kicks off in two weeks from 20-23 May 2025. More than 170 speakers By Marcel Kleffmann • 1 min read
© Photos from top left to bottom right: Bjoern Weinbrandt, Bytro Labs, Scherer and Nordhaus GmbH, Jan-Marius Komorek Business Gamecity Hamburg Finalises Programme for Portside Game Assembly The programme for the Portside Game Assembly is taking shape. Short presentations on the topics Mining for Your Next Gem, Games Are Made by People and From Dev to Dev are planned. There will also be four round tables and an opening keynote by Benjamin Laulan from Evil Empire. On By Stephan Steininger • 2 min read
© © Maicon Douglas Business gamescom latam 2025 Attracts Over 131,000 Visitors The second edition of gamescom latam was also a resounding success. Visitor numbers rose significantly, and planning for 2026 has already begun—a date has already been set. Visitors to this year's gamescom latam were able to admire the exhibition stands of renowned exhibitors such as Nintendo, Niantic, By Stephan Steininger • 2 min read
Epic Games founder and CEO Tim Sweeney / Chris Hewish, Chief Strategy and Communications Officer at Xsolla © Epici Games / Xsolla Business US Court Ruling: Apple Can No Longer Charge for Out-of-App Purchases An important decision has been made in the Apple vs Epic case. Apple is no longer allowed to take commissions on purchases made outside of apps (web shops). Developers can now redirect players from their games to web shops in the USA. Both Epic Games and Xsolla are pleased with By Marcel Kleffmann • 3 min read
emptyvessel Game Director Emanuel Palalic © Ncsoft / emptyvessel Business Ncsoft Makes Strategic Equity Investment in US Studio emptyvessel As part of its publishing initiative, Ncsoft has made a strategic equity investment in US studio emptyvessel. This injection of funding will help drive the development of the cyberpunk squad-based tactical shooter Defect. Korean publisher and developer Ncsoft has announced that it has made a strategic equity investment in Austin, By Marcel Kleffmann • 2 min read
Games Lift Incubator 2025 © Jan-Marius Komorek Business Applications Open for Games Lift Incubator 2025 Gamecity Hamburg launches the application phase for the Games Lift Incubator 2025. Games studios and developers can apply until 10 June. Five teams will receive €15,000 in funding and more. Until 10 June 2025, interested games studios and developers can apply to participate in the Games Lift Incubator 2025 By Marcel Kleffmann • 2 min read
The Valnet Gaming Group © Valnet Business Valnet Acquires Polygon From Vox Media Valnet's gaming portfolio continues to grow. Following the acquisition of FextraLife earlier this year, the company has now acquired Polygon. The takeover is accompanied by layoffs. Valnet, a global digital publishing and media investment company, has acquired gaming publication Polygon from Vox Media. Polygon will join Valnet' By Marcel Kleffmann • 2 min read
CEO Satya Nadella / CFO Amy Hood © Microsoft Business Microsoft Reports Strongest Xbox Q3 to Date, Outlook Remains Positive Microsoft's gaming division had its best Q3 ever, driven by growth in Xbox Game Pass, Call of Duty and Minecraft. Xbox ended the quarter as the top publisher by pre-orders and pre-installs on both Xbox and the PlayStation Store. In the third quarter of FY2025 (January to March By Marcel Kleffmann • 2 min read
© Microsoft Business Microsoft Increases Prices for Xbox Consoles and Games Prices for Xbox consoles and controllers are being increased worldwide. In Europe, Microsoft is raising the price of Xbox consoles by 50 euros. Some first-party games releasing this holiday season will also be more expensive. Effective 1 May, Microsoft has adjusted recommended retail prices for consoles and controllers worldwide. " By Marcel Kleffmann • 2 min read
