Berlin’s Games Industry Leads Optimism in Creative Sector amid Gradual National Recovery

Berlin, May 2026 – New findings from the Medienbarometer 2026 survey confirm that Berlin’s games industry holds a more positive long-term outlook than the local film sector, even as media and creative businesses across the German capital face ongoing economic headwinds and call for improved operating conditions. Game studios in the region show greater resilience, reinforcing BerlinBrandenburg’s standing as a thriving hub for game development, supported by hit local productions and sustained public funding.

The positive regional sentiment contrasts with a mixed national picture. Latest data from game – The German Games Industry Association shows the sector is recovering only slowly from global market consolidation. For a second consecutive year, employment has fallen: the total number of staff at German developers and publishers dropped 3% to 12,235 in 2026.

In a encouraging countertrend, the number of games companies rose 4% year-on-year, from 917 to 956, driven mainly by new development studios – a trend credited to improved national games funding policies and the Press Start startup scholarship programme, which has helped launch 75 studios since its introduction.

Germany remains Europe’s largest games market, and gaming continues as the world’s highestgrossing entertainment medium, outperforming global box office revenues. These strengths underpin industry confidence as policymakers strengthen support: the expanded Federal Games Funding Programme and planned tax incentives are expected to boost competitiveness and nurture independent and startup studios.

Across Berlin’s creative landscape, digital and media enterprises continue to push for better frameworks. Yet game developers stand out for their relative optimism, balancing shortterm staffing challenges with confidence in long-term growth, supported by public funding, policy momentum, and strong global demand for interactive entertainment.

Jeannine Koch, Chairwoman of the Board and Managing Director of medianet berlinbrandenburg e.V., said: “Companies in the creative technologies sector in the capital region continue to face major challenges. The business climate index has noticeably deteriorated in its assessment of the current business situation, signalling that the subdued sentiment evident last year is persisting. The study results illustrate the strong impact of economic and social uncertainties, as well as structural and technological changes, on the industries. 64% and 60% of participants respectively state that access to financing and funding, as well as the rapid removal of bureaucratic hurdles, could provide relief.”

Helge Jürgens, Managing Director of New Media Funding at Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, said: “ Overall, the Media Barometer makes it clear that innovation and resilience are not optional topics for the future, but central prerequisites for successfully navigating the industries’ transformation phase from an economic perspective. Since changed market conditions are shaped by international influences, the region’s competitiveness depends heavily on economic stabilisation and the speed of change. Together with the states, we aim to support the transformation of the audiovisual creative industries – from games to film – by offering funding opportunities that will ensure their long-term viability！“

Sources

game – The German Games Industry Association: Number of Employees in Germany’s Games Industry Declines Again (April 2026)

GamesMarket.global: Berlin’s Games Industry Is More Optimistic About the Future Than the Film Industry (May 2026)

Annual Report of the German Games Industry 2025