De Minimis Aid for the Promotion of Computer Games: Germany

The German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) initiated a de minimis aid program in 2019 to provide financial support for the development of computer games. The primary objective of this funding is to foster growth within the German games industry by assisting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the production of both prototypes and full game projects.

The funding structure is designed to cover up to 50% of total production costs, with a maximum subsidy cap of 200,000€ per company over a three-year period. To further incentivize innovation among start-ups and smaller entities, the program includes a bonus provision that allows for total coverage of up to 70% of production costs. The application process, which commenced in June 2019, required interested parties to submit project sketches through the federal government’s electronic portal, easy-online.

To facilitate the application process, the BMVI collaborated with the Association of the German Games Industry (game - Verband der deutschen Games-Branche e.V.) to provide guidance through webinars and comprehensive FAQ resources. These materials were designed to assist developers in navigating the technical requirements of the submission system. By providing targeted financial relief, the initiative aims to lower the barriers to entry for independent developers and strengthen the competitive position of the German games sector.