Senator's Roundtable: Hamburg

The Senator’s Roundtable, held on February 5, 2026, at Hamburg City Hall, served as a strategic forum for aligning local government policy with the needs of the regional games industry. Hosted by Dr. Carsten Brosda, Senator for Culture and Media, and Gamecity Hamburg, the event facilitated a direct exchange between political leadership and representatives from numerous Hamburg-based game companies and organizations. The primary objective was to evaluate the current state of the industry, address operational challenges, and review the ongoing initiatives managed by Gamecity Hamburg.

Key discussions centered on maintaining the region's competitive edge, with participants emphasizing the necessity of reliable, level playing fields regarding tax credits and the implementation of the EU’s Digital Fairness Act. The meeting also highlighted the success of recent industry events—such as the Portside Game Assembly, Polaris Convention, and Gamesforum Hamburg—as vital drivers for increasing Hamburg’s international visibility. To further support the local ecosystem, Gamecity Hamburg announced plans to expand networking opportunities throughout 2026, including the introduction of a new CEO Meetup format.

The roundtable underscored a collaborative approach to regional development, integrating the games sector with broader creative industries through initiatives like the German Creative Economy Summit. By fostering consistent dialogue between policymakers and industry leaders, the event aimed to ensure that Hamburg remains a robust hub for game development, supported by both public sector engagement and private sector innovation.