Design Zentrum Hamburg

The Hamburg Games Conference 2022, held on March 2 and 3, served as a strategic platform to highlight Hamburg’s position as a premier international hub for the games industry. By utilizing a hybrid format that combined a digital cruise platform with an in-person event at the RCADIA gaming house, the conference aimed to facilitate networking and knowledge exchange under the theme of "Moving Markets."

The event attracted nearly 600 attendees representing 35 nations, fostering global connections within the sector. The program featured 18 presentations that provided insights into current industry trends and future outlooks, supported by 61 partners and exhibitors who engaged with participants both virtually and on-site. A significant focus was placed on showcasing local talent, with numerous graduates from the Games Lift incubator and Prototype Funding Program presenting their projects. These included titles such as Wild Woods, The Amusement, and Soultaire, alongside various VR and augmented reality experiences developed by Hamburg-based studios.

The conference successfully reinforced Hamburg's reputation as a key location for game development in Europe. By integrating virtual world exploration with physical testing opportunities, the event provided a comprehensive showcase for both established companies and emerging developers. The positive reception from participants and the successful execution of the hybrid model underscore the ongoing importance of the conference in driving international engagement and supporting the local games ecosystem.

The Portfolio Slam #4: Game Art, held on March 29, 2022, in Hamburg, served as a professional development platform designed to bridge the gap between aspiring game artists and industry veterans. The event focused on the critical evaluation of professional portfolios, providing participants with actionable feedback to improve their career prospects within the games industry. By facilitating direct interaction between emerging talent and established experts, the initiative aimed to demystify the hiring process and clarify industry expectations for visual artists.

The event featured three emerging artists—Hasbi Adenan, Anna Folz, and Maik Fraisler—who presented their work to a jury of experienced professionals, including representatives from InnoGames, Bigpoint, and independent art direction. Each presenter received ten minutes of personalized critique, covering technical execution, presentation style, and content selection. A keynote address by Reiko Groß of InnoGames provided broader strategic advice on navigating the job market, emphasizing the importance of passion and targeted portfolio curation.

The audience played an active role in the proceedings, participating in a vote to rank the presentations, which resulted in Anna Folz placing first, followed by Maik Fraisler and Hasbi Adenan. Beyond the formal presentations, the event included networking opportunities and individual portfolio reviews for attendees, fostering a collaborative environment for the local Hamburg games community. The initiative was supported by key regional partners, including Design Zentrum Hamburg and PAGE Online, the latter of which committed to publishing the featured portfolios to provide further visibility for the participants.

Deep Silver FISHLABS, a Hamburg-based game development studio, received the prestigious Best German Game award at the Deutscher Computerspielpreis for their title, CHORUS. This recognition highlights the studio's successful strategic transition from mobile game development to the production of high-end console and PC titles. CHORUS, a dark space-shooter released on December 3, 2021, serves as the studio's first original intellectual property in this new market segment.

The award, which includes a prize of 100,000 euros, validates the studio's shift in development focus and acknowledges the collective effort of its 89-person team. Leadership at the studio emphasized that the project required significant internal growth and perseverance to successfully pivot toward the console market. The win is particularly notable as it marks the studio's first major release following its strategic realignment.

Founded in 2004 and currently operating under the Koch Media group, Deep Silver FISHLABS continues to maintain a significant presence in the German games industry. The recognition underscores the ongoing development activity within the Hamburg region, which remains a hub for both established studios and emerging independent developers. The achievement serves as a benchmark for the studio's future development pipeline and its established role in the broader German gaming ecosystem.

The inaugural Pitch Level Up event, held on May 3, 2022, at the Hamburger Ding in Hamburg, Germany, served as a specialized professional development forum for game developers, students, and industry creators. The primary objective of the event was to provide actionable guidance on optimizing game pitch decks and navigating the complexities of securing partnerships with publishers, investors, and funding institutions.

The event attracted 89 participants and featured a dual-track format consisting of expert-led presentations and personalized 1:1 feedback sessions. Four industry experts delivered talks covering critical topics, including publisher selection, communication strategies, effective pitching techniques, and the legal considerations inherent in game development contracts. These sessions were complemented by individual consultations with eight industry professionals, who provided direct, constructive critiques of participants' existing pitch materials.

By facilitating direct interaction between emerging developers and established industry figures, the event addressed a significant gap in the professional ecosystem: the lack of transparent, constructive feedback following project rejections. The initiative aimed to empower development teams to refine their game concepts and presentation strategies, ultimately improving their prospects for future funding and commercial success. The successful turnout and the focus on practical, hands-on mentorship underscore the ongoing demand for specialized support within the regional gaming sector.

Gamecity Hamburg utilizes Pride Month as a platform to advocate for increased diversity, equity, and inclusion within the German games industry. The primary objective is to amplify LGBTQ+ voices and promote a more welcoming environment for both developers and players. By highlighting inclusive game content and fostering industry-wide dialogue, the organization seeks to combat ongoing discrimination and prejudice, emphasizing that the unifying power of gaming transcends factors such as sexual orientation, gender, and origin.

A central component of this initiative is the promotion of the Team Diversity (Hier spielt Vielfalt) declaration, a joint commitment established by the German games industry association, game. This declaration serves as a formal industry stance against discrimination, encouraging companies and individual developers to foster an open society where diverse perspectives enrich game culture. To support these goals, Gamecity Hamburg organizes educational programming, including digital events such as the Gamecity Impulse talk series, which focuses on themes like queer authenticity in gaming history.

The scope of these efforts is focused on the German games sector, specifically targeting the Hamburg development community. Through a combination of curated resources, game recommendations, and public advocacy, the initiative aims to integrate diversity as a core value of professional game development. By aligning with national industry standards and local community engagement, the organization reinforces the necessity of representation in both the workforce and the interactive media produced for global audiences.

The Hamburg-based studio Explorlings, founded in 2021 by Bernhard Mies, focuses on the development of child-friendly digital applications designed to provide a responsible introduction to mobile devices. The studio’s primary thesis is that digital media for children should prioritize media-pedagogical principles over traditional engagement mechanics, such as time-pressure, competitive goals, or addictive design patterns. By deconstructing standard gaming conventions, the studio aims to create safe, self-determined, and age-appropriate digital experiences.

The studio’s inaugural release, Sheeplings, exemplifies this approach by offering a non-goal-oriented simulation where children interact with animals in a virtual meadow. The game utilizes simple touch gestures and avoids elements that create stress or encourage prolonged, compulsive usage. To ensure these standards, the development process incorporates professional media-education guidance, allowing parents to set usage limits that provide a clear, natural conclusion to the play session.

Explorlings operates within the German game development ecosystem, specifically targeting the niche of early-childhood digital literacy. The studio’s methodology relies on minimalist design and pedagogical frameworks to act as a catalyst for future projects. Following the release of Sheeplings on major mobile platforms, the studio intends to expand its portfolio with additional titles that continue to explore the intersection of cautious, child-centered game design and interactive technology.

The Games Lift Incubator, an initiative based in Hamburg, Germany, serves as a professional development program designed to help early-stage game development teams refine their projects, improve their pitching capabilities, and achieve commercial viability. The program targets teams of up to five members, requiring participants to either reside in or establish a branch in Hamburg. The primary thesis is that structured mentorship, financial support, and access to industry expertise significantly accelerate a studio’s ability to secure further funding and reach market milestones.

Over its first two years of operation, the incubator has supported 10 teams through 36 workshop sessions, distributing a total of 150,000 euros in funding. Each participating team receives 15,000 euros, alongside three months of intensive workshops, personalized coaching, and access to a co-working space. The program’s success is evidenced by the subsequent achievements of its alumni, with five teams successfully securing additional prototype funding and others launching public demos for their titles.

The methodology relies on a network of seasoned industry experts—including producers, journalists, and consultants—to provide tailored guidance. By focusing on individual project needs rather than a rigid curriculum, the incubator aims to foster self-sufficient studios capable of navigating the competitive landscape of game publishing and investment. The program emphasizes that while financial capital is a foundational element, the long-term value lies in the knowledge transfer and professional network integration that enable teams to plan more realistically and communicate their value propositions effectively to stakeholders.

Gamecity Hamburg facilitates the participation of six local independent game studios at the 2022 gamescom trade fair in Cologne. Through its Road to gamescom program, the organization provides a dedicated booth at the Indie Arena Booth, offering these developers a platform to showcase their projects to international press, publishers, and industry professionals. This initiative underscores a broader commitment to supporting Hamburg’s game development ecosystem by providing free access to major industry events and networking opportunities.

The six featured studios include Tiny Roar, THREAKS, OneManOnMars, Beardshaker Games, Octofox Games, and CRATR.games. These developers represent a diverse range of genres and platforms, including sci-fi adventures, souls-like action RPGs, cozy narrative games, and real-time strategy titles. Several of these participants have previously benefited from Gamecity Hamburg’s internal support structures, such as the Prototype Funding program and the Games Lift Incubator, highlighting the effectiveness of the region's local development pipeline.

Beyond the featured indie delegation, the broader Hamburg games industry maintains a significant presence at the event. Numerous established companies, including Daedalic Entertainment, InnoGames, Goodgame Studios, and Deep Silver FISHLABS, are represented across both B2C and B2B sectors. By coordinating these efforts, Gamecity Hamburg aims to strengthen the visibility of the local industry on the global stage. The Indie Arena Booth itself remains a critical partner in this effort, serving as an official gamescom fixture that enables smaller studios to participate in a high-profile environment that would otherwise be cost-prohibitive.

The 2022 Gamescom trade fair marked a significant return to in-person industry engagement, drawing 265,000 visitors to Cologne. As part of its Road to Gamescom initiative, Gamecity Hamburg facilitated the participation of six local indie studios—Tiny Roar, Beardshaker Games, THREAKS, Octofox Games, OneManOnMars, and CRATR.games—at the Indie Arena Booth. This program provided these developers with essential networking opportunities, allowing them to present prototypes and demos to international press, publishers, and the general public.

The initiative focused on professional development and visibility, offering participating studios preparatory workshops to refine their presentation strategies. Beyond the exhibition, Gamecity Hamburg hosted a reception for over 100 industry guests and organized the Drawmerama interactive challenge to increase booth engagement. The Indie Arena Booth itself featured over 130 international studios, successfully integrating both physical and digital components to bridge the gap between in-person and online attendees.

The event underscored the vitality of the Hamburg indie scene, with notable recognition for local publishing efforts, such as the award-winning title Inkulinati. By providing a dedicated platform for these studios, the program aimed to foster growth and international exposure for regional developers. The success of this delegation highlights the ongoing importance of regional support structures in navigating major global trade events and connecting local talent with the broader gaming industry.

The School Internship Games program, hosted in Hamburg, serves as a strategic initiative to introduce 9th-grade students to professional career paths within the local games industry. By facilitating direct engagement between students and established development studios, the program aims to cultivate future talent and bridge the gap between academic education and industry requirements. This initiative highlights the importance of early vocational exposure in a sector that remains a significant economic pillar for the region.

The January 2023 iteration of the program offered 20 placement spots, evenly distributed between boys and girls, and balanced across district and grammar schools. Participants engaged in a three-week curriculum hosted by industry partners, including InnoGames, Goodgame Studios, and FISHLABS, alongside the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW Hamburg). Under the guidance of media educators from the Creative Gaming initiative, students performed practical tasks in game design, programming, and audio production, culminating in a final presentation of their work.

This program represents a collaborative effort within the Hamburg games ecosystem, which comprises over 180 companies. By providing hands-on experience and professional mentorship, the initiative addresses the industry's ongoing need for qualified young professionals. Beyond this specific internship, the broader Gamecity Hamburg organization supports talent development through its Gamecity@School program, which facilitates direct interactions between industry experts and students in classroom settings. These efforts underscore a regional commitment to sustaining Hamburg’s status as a vibrant hub for game development through proactive workforce development and educational outreach.

The Games Lift Incubator, an initiative by Gamecity Hamburg, successfully launched its third annual cohort in September 2022. The program is designed to support five selected game development teams through a combination of intensive workshops, expert mentorship, and networking opportunities. By providing professional guidance on project management, business canvassing, and pitching, the incubator aims to accelerate the development of independent game projects while fostering connections between emerging developers and established industry professionals.

The 2022 iteration of the program emphasizes a hybrid approach, utilizing both in-person workshops and remote sessions with international experts to maximize resource efficiency and accessibility. A notable addition to the current curriculum is the introduction of a scheduled one-week break. This strategic pause is intended to mitigate team stress and accommodate the diverse professional demands placed on participants, such as existing contract work, prior to the high-pressure Milestone Pitch phase.

Feedback from participants and mentors highlights the program's effectiveness in creating a supportive environment that balances rigorous professional training with genuine industry engagement. The high rate of returning mentors and the positive reception from participating teams underscore the value of the incubator’s structured approach. By facilitating direct access to industry veterans and providing a dedicated space for collaboration, the program continues to serve as a vital development hub for the Hamburg games industry, helping teams refine their creative visions and business strategies.