Organisations As an association of the German games industry, we are a shareholder of the following organisations: USKThe USK (Entertainment Software Self-Regulation Body) is the voluntary self-regulation body of the computer game industry and is therefore the responsible authority for the examination of computer games in Germany. The USK is recognized by the state as the competent self-regulation body both under the Youth Protection Act and for the online sector under the Interstate Treaty on the Protection of Minors in the Media. In the field of youth protection law, governmental representatives issue age ratings at the end of a USK procedure. In addition, the USK also assigns age ratings within the international IARC system for online games and apps. Numerous companies have joined the USK as members to cooperate permanently and particularly closely on the subject of youth protection. To USK The Foundation for Digital Games CultureThe Foundation for Digital Games Culture is the foundation of the German games industry and an ambassador for games and the opportunities they offer. Since their founding in 2012, they have initiated projects and programmes highlighting the manifold ways games can contribute to society. They are a non-profit organisation that is active nationwide. Their origins go back to an initiative of the German Bundestag (the national parliament of the Federal Republic of Germany) and the German games industry. Partners from fields such as administration, education, civil society, culture, media, pedagogy, politics, the protection of minors and scientific research take part in the foundation’s projects, events, and studies. An equally broad-based council ensures the purposefulness, independence, and transparency of their work. To the Foundation for Digital Games Culture esports player foundationThe esports player foundation brings the expertise from traditional sports promotion to esports. Its mission is to “enable talents to live their dreams and serve as role models.” Young talents are given the opportunity to take the risk of pursuing an esports career through the planning of dual careers, the professionalization of training, and the promotion of a responsible lifestyle. Established players receive career assistance and, in particular, support for a successful professional life thereafter. In return, the athletes serve as role models for their fans and the entire gaming community. To esports player foundation game events GmbHAs a subsidiary of game e.V. – the German Games Industry Association, game events GmbH focuses on organizing some of the most important events in the games industry. Its full-service event management covers renowned gatherings such as Europe’s largest professional conference for game developers, the devcom Developer Conference, all formats under the devcom brand, the German Computer Game Award (DCP), and the game summerfest. Founded in 2019 as devcom GmbH, the company was rebranded to game events GmbH in 2024, continuing its mission to support and advance the games industry through its events while establishing itself as a leader in inclusion and sustainability. To game events GmbH VHG - Verwertungsgesellschaft für die Hersteller von Games mbH (collecting society)With the VHG – Verwertungsgesellschaft für die Hersteller von Games mbH, founded in May 2023, interested games companies can claim the private copy remuneration. This means that in future all developers and publishers of computer games will be able to receive remuneration for the permitted private copies of their games. The VHG as a collecting society will provide interested companies with management contracts for this purpose from mid-June 2023. In order to be able to exercise the rights granted, VHG will apply for authorisation from the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA) as the competent supervisory authority in summer 2023. To VHG – Verwertungsgesellschaft für die Hersteller von Games mbH
USKThe USK (Entertainment Software Self-Regulation Body) is the voluntary self-regulation body of the computer game industry and is therefore the responsible authority for the examination of computer games in Germany. The USK is recognized by the state as the competent self-regulation body both under the Youth Protection Act and for the online sector under the Interstate Treaty on the Protection of Minors in the Media. In the field of youth protection law, governmental representatives issue age ratings at the end of a USK procedure. In addition, the USK also assigns age ratings within the international IARC system for online games and apps. Numerous companies have joined the USK as members to cooperate permanently and particularly closely on the subject of youth protection. To USK
The Foundation for Digital Games CultureThe Foundation for Digital Games Culture is the foundation of the German games industry and an ambassador for games and the opportunities they offer. Since their founding in 2012, they have initiated projects and programmes highlighting the manifold ways games can contribute to society. They are a non-profit organisation that is active nationwide. Their origins go back to an initiative of the German Bundestag (the national parliament of the Federal Republic of Germany) and the German games industry. Partners from fields such as administration, education, civil society, culture, media, pedagogy, politics, the protection of minors and scientific research take part in the foundation’s projects, events, and studies. An equally broad-based council ensures the purposefulness, independence, and transparency of their work. To the Foundation for Digital Games Culture
esports player foundationThe esports player foundation brings the expertise from traditional sports promotion to esports. Its mission is to “enable talents to live their dreams and serve as role models.” Young talents are given the opportunity to take the risk of pursuing an esports career through the planning of dual careers, the professionalization of training, and the promotion of a responsible lifestyle. Established players receive career assistance and, in particular, support for a successful professional life thereafter. In return, the athletes serve as role models for their fans and the entire gaming community. To esports player foundation
game events GmbHAs a subsidiary of game e.V. – the German Games Industry Association, game events GmbH focuses on organizing some of the most important events in the games industry. Its full-service event management covers renowned gatherings such as Europe’s largest professional conference for game developers, the devcom Developer Conference, all formats under the devcom brand, the German Computer Game Award (DCP), and the game summerfest. Founded in 2019 as devcom GmbH, the company was rebranded to game events GmbH in 2024, continuing its mission to support and advance the games industry through its events while establishing itself as a leader in inclusion and sustainability. To game events GmbH
VHG - Verwertungsgesellschaft für die Hersteller von Games mbH (collecting society)With the VHG – Verwertungsgesellschaft für die Hersteller von Games mbH, founded in May 2023, interested games companies can claim the private copy remuneration. This means that in future all developers and publishers of computer games will be able to receive remuneration for the permitted private copies of their games. The VHG as a collecting society will provide interested companies with management contracts for this purpose from mid-June 2023. In order to be able to exercise the rights granted, VHG will apply for authorisation from the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA) as the competent supervisory authority in summer 2023. To VHG – Verwertungsgesellschaft für die Hersteller von Games mbH
