game – The German Games Industry Association publishes statement with political demands ahead of gamescom 2026

Ahead of gamescom 2026, which opens on 24 August, game – The German Games Industry Association has published its statement ‘Inspiring a Positive Vision of the Future: Unlocking the Potential of Games‘. In it, the association calls on policymakers, businesses and society to make greater use of the cultural, technological and economic power of video games, and to strengthen Germany’s and Europe’s international competitiveness as a location for games production. Around 6 in 10 people in Germany play computer and video games, and worldwide the figure is more than 3 billion. Globally, games generate more than 200 billion US dollars in revenue each year. What’s more, the games industry is at the forefront of numerous technical innovations, making it a key building block of digital sovereignt

‘As the world’s biggest games event, gamescom once again makes it abundantly clear this year: we must make far greater use of the unique potential of games and their cultural, economic and technological power. Germany and Europe should aspire to a leading role as a games production location,’says Felix Falk, Managing Director of game. ‘This calls for greater ambition, reliable political framework conditions, proportionate regulation, and a stronger commitment to harnessing the unique potential that games offer our society.’

The declaration addresses three areas that are especially crucial at present. First, Germany and Europe need to be strengthened as a games location – through start-up and production funding, better infrastructure, education and training, skilled immigration, and above all the implementation of the tax breaks already announced in Germany. Second, we need simplification rather than a thicket of rules: proven, games-specific youth protection systems such as USK, PEGI and IARC, should be strengthened rather than weakened by competing regulation such as the Digital Fairness Act. Third, games should be harnessed as a force for society and democracy. Studies show, for example, that video game players have greater trust in democracy and are more easily motivated to get involved than the population as a whole.

The political statement for gamescom 2026, ‘Inspiring a Positive Vision of the Future: Unlocking the Potential of Games’, can be downloaded here.

About gamescom:

gamescom is the world’s biggest gaming event and the most important business platform for the international games industry. From 24 to 30 August 2026, it brings together developers, trade visitors, companies and millions of fans from around the world – on site in Cologne and digitally across the globe. The week opens on 24 August with the developer conference gamescom dev. gamescom then opens to the public on the evening of 25 August with the major opening show gamescom Opening Night Live. Throughout the week, gamescom offers a unique blend of entertainment, business and community experience. Alongside gamescom in Cologne, gamescom latam in São Paulo and gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show in Bangkok have established themselves as further successful international gamescom editions.

game – The German Games Industry Association

We are the association of the German games industry. Our members represent the entire video game ecosystem, from development studios and publishers to esports event organisers, educational institutions and other related entities. We are co-organisers of gamescom, the world’s biggest event for video games. We are a shareholder in the Entertainment Software Self-Regulation Body (USK), the Foundation for Digital Games Culture, the esports player foundation, game events and the collecting society VHG, as well as co-host of the German Computer Game Awards. Serving as a central point of contact for media, as well as political and social institutions, we provide comprehensive expertise in areas including market development, game culture and media literacy, and address any inquiries or concerns. Together we are making Germany the heart of gaming worldwide. With games, we enrich the lives of all people.