1. Promoting and strengthening Germany as a games location for the long term

For Germany as a games location to be able to compete on the international stage, the German government must promote the games industry in an unbureaucratic, predictable and transparent manner with a long-term focus. Germany as a location for developers, as well as games that are ‘Made in Germany’, need to be visible, with networking required both within Germany and internationally. The games strategy of the federal government is a key foundation for the ongoing development of the location.

2. Games to enhance learning, in school and throughout life

Our education system must take advantage of the opportunities offered by computer and video games for digital education in schools, vocational schools, universities and continuing education, and for lifelong learning. The development of games for use in educational instruction must be promoted and advanced in a targeted manner. Media literacy and programming knowledge are fundamental for school pupils in the digital age and must be a compulsory area of school curricula.

3. Greater commitment to games specialists

The German games industry is lacking in highly specialised, experienced professionals. Given this scarcity in Germany, the training situation must be improved and it must be made easier for these professionals to move here from abroad.

4. Digital infrastructure for all

As a games location, Germany must have blanket gigabit capability to ensure the successful development of games and to serve the millions of video game players in the country. This applies to high-performance broadband internet connections as well as to a strong 5G network: Germany needs to catch up quickly across all distribution channels and must ensure that future-proof digital infrastructure is accessible to all.

5. Youth protection legislation: modern, convergent and internationally compatible

The responsibilities of the German federal and state governments need to be put to the acid test to enable a modern German system for the protection of young people. Only in this way can standardised, modern and convergent statutory youth protection provisions be created that are aligned with the media reality of children and young people and guarantee international compatibility. A host of contemporary protection systems and technical features from the games sector may serve as models here.

6. Infrastructures for games development

Games hubs with incubator and accelerator programmes are an important corporate home for start-ups and provide opportunities for regional economic locations. They promote communication between games companies and cooperation with other sectors that wish to benefit from the potential of games development. These economic and innovation-linked effects demand high levels of commitment and the support of the federal states and local authorities.

7. Providing investment certainty, creating value

As the games sector, we have developed innovative business models that are based first and foremost on the needs of the users, that are focused on feasibility and that treat users’ trust in our products as vital to our success. New digital business models need scope to grow and operate, so a fair balance of interests must be found between consumers’ rights and corporate freedom in the digital world, like elsewhere. Strengthening the empowered and confident users must take precedence over new regulation.

8. No space for haters, trolls and pirates: also bringing security authorities up to speed digitally

As the games sector, we advocate diversity and tolerance each and every day. All actors in the sector must come together to robustly confront hate speech as well as immoral and sometimes illegal behaviour in our digital society. The digital competences of the authorities must be expanded to create flexible and targeted solutions.

9. Making Germany the best location for esports

We want to make Germany the best location for esports. Given the major societal, cultural and economic significance of esports, the best possible conditions need to be created. In particular, the valuable work of the organisations that offer esports should be promoted rather than further disadvantaged. These organisations consequently need to be granted non-profit status in tax legislation. Whether or not esports is an actual sport is not a decisive factor here.

10. Gamification – helping through play

Computer and video games are more than entertainment. They can support people in nearly all spheres, open up new worlds of experience and serve to enhance performance in many areas. They are easily accessible and can often be utilised to save costs. The use of computer and video games should therefore be promoted in all areas of life.