Political statement for gamescom 2026

Inspiring a positive vision of the future: unlocking the potential of games

As a cultural asset, an engine of innovation and an economic force, games matter enormously. Above all, they inspire a positive vision of the future. This is exactly what gamescom, the world’s biggest games event, shows: hundreds of thousands of enthusiastic visitors on-site and millions of fans online around the world, highly innovative companies and the unique power of games culture. Germany and Europe must aim to make greater use of the potential of games and to take a leading role as a game production location. Reliable and comparable competitive conditions are the crucial prerequisite for this.

Games are integral to our cultural life and, as a leading medium, strongly influence how people of all generations see the world. In Germany alone, around 6 in 10 people play video games – and the global figure is already more than 3 billion. Games tell the stories of our time, shape aesthetics and build community across all borders. In doing so, they generate a soft power that other countries are already harnessing in a targeted way.

The games industry plays a decisive, pioneering role in innovations that reach into every area of life, including industry, education and research – from 3D simulations and artificial intelligence to gamification and XR technologies. Those who lead in game development secure key digital skills for their entire economy, along with highly qualified professionals. A strong domestic games industry therefore becomes crucial for digital sovereignty.

Games generate more than 200 billion US dollars in revenue worldwide, and there is no end to this growth in sight. As a game production location, however, Germany and Europe remain far too weak by international standards to benefit fully from this momentum. The productive capacity and exceptional dynamics of the games industry are indispensable, and it is high time they were put to greater use.

The full statement can be found in the attached PDF.

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