Steinmeier opens Gamescom Congress in Cologne and advocates for games as cultural heritage

Culture and Economy in Focus

With the opening of the congress, Germany's highest state office is sending a political signal to the scene. The event is regarded as a platform for discussing funding conditions, talent development, and engagement with international markets. Alongside the opening, expert forums on topics such as artificial intelligence, storytelling, and diversity in game development are expected.

The organizers expect several thousand participants from Germany and abroad. The Gamescom Congress positions itself as a complement to the Gamescom trade fair, where manufacturers present their new titles and hardware to a broad audience. Both formats run in parallel this year and are considered an important mood barometer for the German games industry.

Steinmeier's appearance continues a series of political visits to Gamescom. In previous years, high-ranking politicians had already visited the trade fair to seek dialogue with the scene. The Federal President emphasized that games have long since moved out of the niche and into the center of society.

Responsibility and Youth Protection

Another topic of his address was the industry's responsibility when dealing with young players. Steinmeier stressed that youth protection and education remain important tasks, but warned against sweeping condemnation. The overwhelming majority of games offer creative entertainment for all age groups, he said.

With a view to international competition, the Federal President advocated for better framework conditions in Germany as a business location. These include tax incentives, simplified visa regulations for foreign skilled workers, and the expansion of training at universities. The industry has the potential to become a central pillar of Germany's creative economy.

Following the opening, discussions with studios and students were planned. These were also intended to address the industry's contribution to digital education. The Gamescom Congress runs until Thursday, parallel to gamescom, which opens its doors to the general public over the weekend.

Framework Conditions for the Industry

According to its own figures, gamescom is the world's largest trade fair for computer and video games. It takes place annually in Cologne and regularly attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors. The parallel professional congress is primarily aimed at the industry and policymakers.

With the opening by the Federal President, the German games industry is receiving particular political attention this year. Observers also interpret the appearance as a signal to the European Union to further expand games funding within its digital strategy.

Outlook for the Coming Days

Following the official program, further panels on topics such as inclusion, sustainability, and the use of AI in games are expected at the congress. The role of independent studios and the indie scene is also set to be discussed in several sessions.