Nico Balletta, Head of Programme gamescom dev (Prictures: gamescom dev/game events GmbH) gamescom About Tough Decisions and Great Joy Putting Together the Gamescom Dev Sessions The countdown to gamescom and to gamescom dev is on. The first speakers have been announced. In this interview, Head of Programme Nico Balletta reveals how the session list is put together, how he ensures a good balance, and why he believes it is essential to give young talents a stage. By Stephan Steininger • 7 min read
Klemens Witt, Florian von Keller, Markus Möckel, Christian Hotz (from Left to Right) were elected as Vice Presidents (Picture: ESBD) People ESBD Members Elects New VPs And Create New Role For Regional Representatives At their general meeting, the members of the ESBD filled three vice-presidential posts with Klemens Witt, Christian Hotz and Markus Möckel. Florian von Keller was also appointed as a vice-president; he will be the first representative of the regional associations on the ESBD Executive Committee. By Stephan Steininger • 2 min read
People Womenize! Inspiring Stories: Gemma Bowen 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 • 3 min read
Jochen Koubek is professor of Digital Media and Computer Game Studies at the University of Bayreuth (Uni Bayreuth) Campus G+ Researcher Spotlight: Jochen Koubek, Bayreuth University In our new series about games researchers, we portrait the people wo bring game studies forward and define how game making is taught and learned at universities. Starting out is Jochen Koubek of Bayreuth University. By Pascal Wagner • 4 min read
Thalita Malagò, Director General, IIDEA (Italian Interactive Digital Entertainment Association) © Marco Bravi GamesMarket Plus The Italian Games Market Through the Eyes of Thalita Malagò, IIDEA Director No one knows the specifics of the Italian games market as well as Thalita Malagò, Director General of IIDEA. We speak with her about the challenges facing the industry, what support is needed, and how they can increase the visibility of games made in Italy on the international market. By Marcel Kleffmann • 7 min read
Witchfire | Adrian Chmielarz © The Astronauts People G+ Adrian Chmielarz on AAA Mediocrity, Creativity in Small Teams and Witchfire Witchfire from The Astronauts is an acclaimed shooter currently available on Early Access. We spoke to co-owner Adrian Chmielarz about the current state of the AAA shooter genre, the creative nature of the AA segment, and the game's lengthy development period since it was first announced in 2017. By Marcel Kleffmann • 8 min read
People "Our Mission Is to Carry Forward the Long-Standing Tradition of German Management Classics" With We Are Football 2027, Cologne-based Winning Streak Games hopes to continue the tradition of popular German football management games. We spoke to Gerald Köhler about the genre, how the team has been scaled down since WAF 2024, and the dedicated community that the game has attracted. By Marcel Kleffmann • 6 min read
Leon Ries and Jörg Adami (right) | Pictures: DOSB/picture alliance; UFA Boris Breuer People DOSB Appoints Jörg Adami as Managing Director of Its Esports Subsidiary Just a few weeks ago, the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) announced the launch of a not-for-profit esports subsidiary. The head of the new organisation has now been appointed: Jörg Adami, who previously set up the esports player foundation, will become managing director. By Stephan Steininger • 2 min read
Picture by Ubisoft Latam People Ubisoft Co-Founder Claude Guillemot Reportedly Died in a Small Aircraft Crash Claude Guillemot, one of the five brothers who co-founded the major games company Ubisoft, among other ventures, has reportedly died in a light aircraft crash, according to several news agencies. The investigation into the crash is ongoing. By Team GamesMarket • 1 min read
People Womenize! Inspiring Stories: Laura Mazgaj 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 • 3 min read
Francisco Pio Pero from Italy, winner of the TCG Junior championship (The Pokémon Company) 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
Picture by Medienförderung RLP People Medienförderung RLP Appoints Anika Thun to Its Board and Funds Five Games with €200k With the appointment of Dr Anika Thun from Kalypso Media, the board of the Medienförderung RLP has also gained an experienced games manager, who will now help shape the strategic development of the media funding programme. Meanwhile, the results of the 10th funding round have been announced. By Stephan Steininger • 1 min read
