Games XR Pressemeldung
HOME FOR GAMES
Strong €6.4 Million MBB Funding for Games and XR in 2024, Preview of an Eventful 2025 Gaming Year in Berlin-Brandenburg
- DCP is Coming Home: Berlin Secures Hosting of the German Computer Game Awards +++ Date: May 14, 2025 +++
- House of Games: Unique Investment in the Future of the Gaming Hub
- Key Industry Events: Games Ground, A MAZE., XR Port Berlin
- Games Capital Berlin-Brandenburg: Largest Number of Companies, Dynamic Growth, Premier Events, Strong Network
- Berlin’s Governing Mayor Kai Wegner: “Berlin is Home for Games”
- €6.4 Million MBB Funding for Games, XR, Industry Events, and Initiatives
Berlin/Potsdam – The capital region is Germany's "Games Capital," boasting the largest number of companies and the most dynamic growth. It is home to the gaming and XR industries, supported by MBB funding, location-based initiatives, and strong political backing from regional authorities.
When the German Computer Game Awards (DCP) return to Berlin next spring, the best German development studios will gather to celebrate their games. Berlin-Brandenburg successfully secured its position as the host city for the DCP. On May 14, 2025, the award gala will shine brighter than ever—featuring a new location and enhanced production value. The prestigious House of Games project will provide the capital region’s gaming industry with a permanent address. Berlin’s Governing Mayor Kai Wegner supports the initiative, which is also allocated €4.6 million in the Berlin Senate’s budget in addition to the MBB funding.
Events such as Games Ground and XR Port Berlin, alongside the renowned A MAZE. Festival, have solidified their presence as flagship highlights at Germany’s most important gaming hub.
Kai Wegner, Governing Mayor of Berlin:
"Berlin is Home for Games. We are expanding our role as Germany’s leading gaming hub and further increasing our appeal to indie studios, major players, creatives, and investors. Berlin holds immense opportunities in this sector. Hosting the German Computer Game Awards in 2025 is a strong and deliberate statement. With the DCP in Berlin, the crucial funding and location-based initiatives by Medienboard, and the planned House of Games, we are set for success."
In total, MBB is investing €6.4 million in the Games and XR sectors in 2024. The largest share, €4.8 million, is allocated to content funding: €3.6 million for games, including XR games, and €1.2 million for other XR projects and innovative audiovisual content. Beneficiaries include a broad range of successful Berlin-Brandenburg studios such as Paintbucket Games, Realities.io, Ghostwhale Games, Trailmix Berlin, Randwerk Games, Thoughtfish, Selkies Interactive, anotherworld VR, INVR.SPACE, and arkanum pictures.
An additional €1.6 million is earmarked for games- and XR-related events, networks, and talent initiatives, benefiting programs like Games Ground, XR Port Berlin, The Rabbit Games Residency in Brandenburg, and media.net games. With a growing number of applications, Berlin-Brandenburg also leads the nation in dynamic growth within the gaming sector, particularly in new business formations.
Helge Jürgens, CEO of Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg:
"Games represent the fastest-growing sector of the audiovisual industry, particularly in the capital region. At MBB, this is evident in the sustained high demand for funding, especially in the games and XR fields. We are grateful to maintain our funding budget for games, even though we cannot fully offset the loss of national gaming funding. Looking ahead to next year, we are thrilled about the DCP: the Games Capital, together with the Governing Mayor, will roll out the red carpet in Berlin and celebrate the industry right where it belongs! DCP Is Coming Home!"
Games from the capital region are also winning awards in 2024: five of the coveted German Computer Game Awards will go to games from the region, including the MBB-funded "Lose CTRL". At the German Developer Prize, Berlin’s "Vampire Therapist" was awarded for "Best Game Beyond Entertainment" and has made the longlist for the BAFTA Games 2025! Additionally, four MBB-funded XR experiences impressed at Venice Immersive during the Venice Film Festival: "Symbiosis/Dysbiosis: Sentience" competed, while "Duchampiana," "Body/Memory," and "Emperor" featured in other sections. MBB proudly represented the capital region’s XR industry at Venice Immersive, collaborating with other regional funders to host a national pavilion and various XR panels.
++ Overview of Games and XR Funding ++
- €3.6 million for 24 games, including XR games
- €1.2 million for 19 XR projects and other innovative audiovisual content
- €1.6 million for 22 games- and XR-related events, networks, and initiatives
Total: €6.4 million