Games fund, recognition of e-sports and expansion of digital literacy: games industry welcomes grand coalition programme

• Games funding to be introduced at federal level
• E-sports to be recognised as valid sports with Olympic potential
• Progress in broadband expansion, migration of specialists and digital literacy
 
Berlin, 7 February 2018 – ‘The vast cultural, commercial and innovative potential of computer and video games for society and the economy is finally being recognised and harnessed’ – this is the conclusion reached by game – the German Games Industry Association regarding the outcome of coalition negotiations between political parties CDU, CSU and SPD, which were presented in Berlin earlier today. According to the coalition agreement, which has still to be approved by the parties’ respective committees, a fund is to be set up for the purposes of providing financial support to games developers in Germany at federal level for the first time. After the United Kingdom, France, Canada and other countries around the world have systematically and sustainably improved their structural framework with similar concepts, the CDU, CSU and SPD are now seeking to promote games development at federal level in Germany. In addition, the coalition programme aims to put its weight behind e-sports. This means that digital sports, which have millions of fans in Germany, will receive full recognition as valid sports, particularly with regard to club and association law and Olympic potential.
 
As game Managing Director Felix Falk explains: ‘The results of the coalition negotiations send an important signal: with the implementation of the agreed measures, the vast cultural, commercial and innovative potential of computer and video games for society and the economy is finally being recognised and harnessed. Above all, it is vital to launch the planned games fund very soon so that we do not end up lagging even further behind European countries such as the UK and France. Setting up a games fund, recognising e-sports, ensuring a more systematic broadband expansion, stepping up digital literacy, using serious games in vocational training and making it easier for qualified specialists to relocate to where they are needed – all of these are good and necessary measures for making Germany an internationally competitive location for games development.’
 
The CDU, CSU and SPD have also pledged to invest billions of euros in digital equipment for schools and to simplify the migration process for qualified specialists. In addition, the coalition agreement promises a more systematic broadband expansion. Such decisions were also called for in the ten demands issued by the games industry for the 2017 parliamentary elections in Germany.

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 e-sports companies, institutions and service providers. As the sponsor 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 leading location for game development.

Press contact:

Martin Puppe
game – the German Games Industry Association
Charlottenstr. 62
10117 Berlin, Germany
Germany
Phone: +49 (0)30 2408 77920
Email: martin.puppe@game.de
www.game.de
Twitter: @game_NEU
Facebook.com/game.verband

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