UKIE-CEO Nick Poole and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer | Pictures: UKIE; House of Commons Politics UK: Government Announces Social Media Ban For Under-16s; UKIE Responds With Relief Keir Starmer’s UK government has announced plans to introduce a social media ban for under-16s. The first restrictions are set to be introduced as early as spring 2027. Video games are excluded from the regulations. UKIE reacted with relief, but nevertheless points to the stricter PEGI rules. By Stephan Steininger • 2 min read
Felix Falk (right) presents Federal Minister Karin Prien with a Jaheira Funko Pop, after her and Lars Janssen's speeches (GamesMarket, Stephan Steininger) Politics Prien: "Demokratie Leben!" Will Now Consider Games for Funding At the game summer party, Federal Family Minister Karin Prien dropped several bombs: One was the revelation that the "Demokratie Leben!" funding programme could now consider games as well. The other were some unfortunate remarks harking back to the old "Killerspieldebatte". By Pascal Wagner • 3 min read
Stop Killing Games Warns EU Commission of Misdirection In an Open Letter to EU Commission officials, Stop Killing Games claims game lobby associations are misdirecting the actual goal of the initiative to influence the upcoming decision on 16 June. By Pascal Wagner • 2 min read
Franziska Giffey, Berlin's Senator for Economic Affairs, is playing a key role in promoting esports in the capital. In June 2025, she unveiled the first "Esports Team Berlin", funded by the Senate. In its second year, the programme will be renamed "Esports Academy Berlin". © esports player foundation (epf) Funding Esports Academy Berlin Enters Its Second Round For the second year running, the State of Berlin and the esports player foundation are jointly supporting young talent on their journey to becoming professional esports players, with up to 25 places available this year. The programme also has a new name. By Marcel Kleffmann • 1 min read
From left to right: Alexander Fuchs (medianet berlinbrandenburg), Claus Pretzell (Investitionsbank Berlin), Juliane Müller (Goldmedia), Jeannine Koch (medianet berlinbrandenburg), Claudia Große-Leege (KreativBund), Helge Jürgens (Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg) © Gerald Matzka Business Berlin's Games Industry Is More Optimistic About the Future Than the Film Industry According to the 'Medienbarometer 2026' study released today, companies in the media, creative and digital sectors are under economic pressure and are calling for improved business conditions in Berlin. However, the local gaming industry is more optimistic about the future than other media sectors. By Marcel Kleffmann • 3 min read
Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister of Finance Lars Klingbeil | Federal Minister of Research Dorothee Bär © Sandra Krafft | Bundesregierung/Steffen Kugler Business Lars Klingbeil and Dorothee Bär to Open gamescom 2026 Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil and "Federal Games Minister" Dorothee Bär will open gamescom 2026. Hendrik Wüst, the Minister-President of North Rhine-Westphalia, has also been confirmed as attending the opening. By Marcel Kleffmann • 1 min read
Gordon Schnieder is the designated next Minister-President of Rhineland-Palatinate | Picture: Torsten Silz Business Rhineland-Palatinate Wants to Fund Games and Films “in Equal Measure” The coalition agreement of the new state government of Rhineland-Palatinate includes a clear commitment to supporting the games industry. Studios can look forward to an expansion of this support, particularly as the focus is to be on content rather than media formats. By Stephan Steininger • 1 min read
Chimera Entertainment from Munich © Chimera Entertainment Business How Local Games Funding Works in Practice in Germany, and Why It Is so Important Game development is hard, complicated and costly, particularly in expensive locations such as Germany. Therefore, federal and regional funding plays a crucial role. This case study looks at Songs of Silence by Chimera Entertainment, which received federal funding and local support by FFF Bayern. By Marcel Kleffmann • 10 min read
Computerspielemuseum © Archive Picture Funding Berlin's Computerspielemuseum Will Remain at Its Current Location The state of Berlin currently has no financial leeway to integrate the Computerspielemuseum (Computer Game Museum) into the House of Games. Further funding for the Internationale Computerspielesammlung (ICS) also seems unlikely. By Marcel Kleffmann • 2 min read
At the general meeting, the current board of game.nrw was re-elected | Picture games.nrw Politics games.nrw: Board Confirmed, Course Set For Games Industry in Germany’s Most Populous State At the general meeting in March, the games.nrw regional association confirmed the composition and roles of the executive board. Important decisions were taken regarding both the Deutscher Entwicklerpreis and the games industry in North Rhine-Westfalia. By Stephan Steininger • 2 min read
Politics Regional Association Games & XR Mitteldeutschland Sets Out Its Claims for Thuringia Games & XR Mitteldeutschland has drawn up a five-point plan to encourage politicians to support the games industry in Thuringia. The main focus is on implementing measures that have long been standard practice in other German federal states. By Stephan Steininger • 3 min read
The Deutschhaus, seat of parliament in RLP. What do the parties have planned for games in the region for the election? (Landtag RLP/SIE) GamesMarket Exclusive G+ 2026 Elections in RLP: What Do the Parties Plan for Gaming? With Rhineland-Palatinate state elections coming this Sunday, we are collecting and translating the parties' positions on gaming and the games industry. The three governing parties all have things to promise for the strong gaming sector in RLP, while the opposition is quiet on the topic. By Pascal Wagner • 4 min read
