game – the German Games Industry Association sees coalition agreement as sound basis for successful games policy

game – the German Games Industry Association sees coalition agreement as sound basis for successful games policy

• Germany to be strengthened as games location
• Ongoing games funding to be secured
• Esports clubs to gain non-profit eligibility

In the view of game – the German Games Industry Association, the coalition agreement presented today by the German political parties SPD, Bündnis 90/Die Grünen and FDP provides a sound basis for a successful games policy over the coming years. game sees the pursuit of the overarching goal of strengthening Germany’s overall position as a games location as particularly important. A key factor here is to ensure ongoing games funding, which the SPD, Bündnis 90/Die Grünen and the FDP have enshrined in the new coalition agreement. In addition, game welcomes the general statements in the coalition agreement on reducing the level of bureaucracy and points to criticism raised by many games companies that are dissatisfied, for example, with the bureaucratic hurdles in the funding programme. game is also pleased that esports clubs can be recognised as non-profit organisations in future. Furthermore, key issues for the games industry are addressed in several passages in the coalition agreement, including reducing barriers to digitalisation, expanding broadband access (which is to be accelerated), promoting digital education and facilitating the immigration of qualified professionals to Germany. However, it remains to be seen how games and the games industry will be represented within the new federal government.

‘From the perspective of the games industry, the coalition agreement presented today is heading in the right direction: strengthening Germany as a games location, securing ongoing games funding, recognising the work of esports clubs as non-profit and an overall stronger focus on promoting digitalisation and reducing bureaucracy in Germany constitute an extremely sound basis for a successful and internationally competitive games policy during the new legislative period. Now it is essential that the new federal government establishes as quickly as possible who is responsible for games and that this is swiftly followed by concrete steps,’ says Felix Falk, Managing Director of game.

game – the German Games Industry Association

We are the association of the German games industry. Our members include developers, publishers and many other games industry actors such as esports event organisers, educational establishments and service providers. As a joint organiser of gamescom, we are responsible for the world’s biggest event for computer and video games. We are an expert partner for media and for political and social institutions, and answer questions relating to market development, games culture and media literacy. Our mission is to make Germany the best games location.