Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft

The Road to gamescom 2021 initiative, organized by Gamecity Hamburg, serves to support local indie game developers by providing subsidized access to the Indie Arena Booth Online at the 2021 gamescom convention. The program’s primary objective is to facilitate international exposure for Hamburg-based studios during the digital-only event, enabling them to connect with publishers, journalists, and potential business partners.

The initiative offers selected applicants a free Small Booth package within the dedicated Gamecity Hamburg area of the Indie Arena Booth. Key benefits for participants include a Devcom ticket, inclusion in the Indie Arena Booth’s promotional activities—such as trailer showcases, streaming events, and social media coverage—and a listing in the official gamescom lineup. Additionally, participants gain access to a preparatory workshop day designed to optimize their presence at the digital trade show.

To qualify for these packages, applicants must be commercially oriented entities within the games industry with a headquarters or branch office located in Hamburg. Furthermore, studios are required to provide a playable version of their game for the event. The selection process is managed by a jury, and interested parties are required to register through the Indie Arena Booth platform while explicitly noting their intent to participate in the Gamecity Hamburg program. This effort underscores a broader regional commitment to fostering the growth and visibility of the Hamburg games ecosystem on a global stage.

The first 2021 funding round for the Hamburg Prototype Funding program awarded a total of €252,000 to six digital game projects. Managed by Gamecity Hamburg, this initiative provides non-repayable grants to local start-ups and developers to assist in the creation of prototypes, thereby strengthening Hamburg’s position as a prominent European hub for the games industry. The program specifically targets projects with high market potential, requiring recipients to be based in or relocate to Hamburg.

Selection for the funding was conducted by an expert committee that evaluated 23 total applications based on project quality, team presentation, feasibility, and potential for local industry growth. The six successful recipients received varying grant amounts: THE INVITATION (€60,000), ARC BREAK (€50,000), Rocket Science GONE WRONG (€48,000), Crumbling (€39,782), The Hunt for Epic Treasure (€35,200), and Fantasma Ville (€19,140). Notably, the project Crumbling serves as a case study for the program's success, having transitioned from the Games Lift Incubator to receiving prototype funding.

The application process for this round occurred between March 29 and May 17, 2021, and included an online pitch day for shortlisted teams. The initiative is part of a broader strategy by the Senate of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg to provide tailored support to the games sector. Following the success of this round, the program scheduled a second funding phase for later in 2021, alongside additional support opportunities through the Games Lift Incubator, which provides both financial assistance and professional mentorship.

The city of Hamburg has introduced a specialized online service designed to assist operators of online communities in reporting hate speech and harassment directly to the public prosecutor’s office. Managed by the Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection, the initiative aims to streamline the legal process for addressing criminal content, thereby fostering safer digital environments for users and companies alike.

The platform allows participating organizations to file criminal charges with minimal administrative burden. Users can submit reports through a digital form, which supports the inclusion of evidentiary materials such as screenshots and short video files. The service permits anonymous reporting via a company account, and in instances where a formal criminal complaint is legally required, the system facilitates the upload of signed documentation.

To support the adoption of this tool, the Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection provides free online training sessions for companies interested in utilizing the service. This initiative reflects a broader effort to improve the prosecution of online offenses by lowering the barrier for community managers to engage with law enforcement. Further details regarding the reporting process and the project, known as "OHNe Hass," are available through the official portal of the Hamburg Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection.

This announcement serves as a formal recruitment notice for a Project Manager position within Gamecity Hamburg, a location initiative under the Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft. The primary objective of the role is to support the regional games ecosystem by conceptualizing and supervising service offerings, managing the Games Lift Incubator, and fostering strategic partnerships with industry stakeholders, universities, and networks.

The position is based in Hamburg, Germany, and is structured as a one-year, fixed-term contract to cover parental leave, with options for either full-time or part-time employment. Candidates are expected to possess a relevant degree or extensive professional experience, with a proven background in project management, event organization, and cross-company networking. Proficiency in both German and English is required, alongside the ability to manage digital programs and represent the organization through public speaking and panel moderation.

As the largest institution for the promotion of the creative industries in Germany, the Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft emphasizes a collaborative work environment with flat hierarchies and flexible working arrangements. The recruitment process, which concluded in June 2021, sought individuals capable of strengthening Hamburg’s positioning as a central hub for the games industry through proactive engagement with startups, associations, and public authorities.

The Games Lift Incubator, an initiative by Gamecity Hamburg, serves as a support structure for independent game developers, providing financial backing, mentorship, and infrastructure to refine digital game concepts. The program supports up to five teams annually through a three-month intensive cycle, offering each participant up to €15,000 in funding, professional guidance, and co-working space.

A core objective of the initiative is to address a recurring challenge among indie developers: the tendency to invest significant time and resources into game genres with poor commercial viability. To mitigate this, the program emphasizes the necessity of market awareness. By teaching developers how to calculate, analyze, and evaluate market dynamics, the incubator aims to foster more robust, data-informed decision-making in both game design and business strategy.

The initiative highlights the importance of aligning creative vision with market context to improve the long-term success of indie projects. By providing specialized workshops on market analysis, the program equips developers with the essential skill sets required to navigate competitive landscapes effectively. This focus on strategic evaluation is intended to help teams move beyond purely creative development and toward sustainable, commercially viable business models.

The Games Lift incubator program, managed by Gamecity Hamburg, officially opened its 2021 application phase on June 21, 2021. The initiative aims to foster the growth of the local games industry by supporting five selected developer teams in the creation of digital game concepts with high market potential. This program represents the second iteration of the incubator, following a successful inaugural run in 2020.

Selected participants receive a comprehensive support package, including financial backing of up to 15,000 euros per team. Beyond direct funding, the program provides access to a structured workshop and mentoring curriculum led by international industry experts, as well as dedicated co-working space. To further ensure commercial viability, the incubator offers individual coaching from professional consultants and specialized indie-focused public relations agencies.

Eligibility for the program is broad, encompassing students, start-ups, small and medium-sized enterprises, and individual developers. A primary requirement for participation is a physical presence in Hamburg; applicants must either be currently based in the city or commit to relocating or establishing a branch there upon acceptance. The selection process involves a competitive pitch phase where applicants present their projects to a committee of industry experts. Successful teams participate in an intensive development period running from September through early December 2021. Applications for the 2021 cycle remained open until July 26, 2021.

The Games Lift Incubator, an initiative by Gamecity Hamburg, serves as a professional development program designed to support indie game developers in navigating the complexities of the gaming market. The program’s primary objective is to bridge the gap between creative concept and commercial viability by providing selected teams with essential resources, including financial support and expert mentorship.

Participants in the three-month program receive up to 15,000 Euros in funding, alongside access to industry professionals who provide guidance on critical business areas such as marketing and project development. The selection process is managed by an awarding committee that evaluates applicants based on team dynamics, the potential for regional growth, and the diversity of game genres represented. While the program is open to all developers, it explicitly aims to foster a more inclusive environment within the historically male-dominated gaming industry.

The effectiveness of the incubator is evidenced by the progress of its alumni, who have utilized the program to refine prototypes, secure further funding, and prepare for commercial releases. By facilitating networking opportunities and providing structured coaching, the initiative helps solo developers and small studios overcome the isolation often associated with independent game production. The program continues to operate as a recurring annual effort, inviting new cohorts to leverage Hamburg’s supportive ecosystem to advance their projects.

The Road to Nordic 2021 program, organized by Gamecity Hamburg, facilitated the participation of local industry professionals and students in the May 2021 edition of the Nordic Game Conference. The primary objective was to provide Hamburg-based developers, publishers, and students with access to international networking, project pitching opportunities, and industry insights at one of Europe’s most prominent games industry events.

The initiative supported a delegation of 59 representatives, including professionals from ten local studios such as THREAKS, Mooneye Studios, and Tiny Roar, alongside 38 students from various Hamburg-based academic institutions. Participants engaged in the conference’s publisher market to pitch projects and explore business collaborations. To further promote the local ecosystem, Gamecity Hamburg produced a dedicated showreel featuring trailers from participating studios, which was broadcast during the conference’s live stream.

The Nordic Game Conference itself reported significant engagement, with over 1,600 registered attendees, more than 1,000 business meetings conducted, and over 3,000 views of the live program stream. By subsidizing attendance for local talent and providing a platform for visibility, the program aimed to strengthen the international presence of the Hamburg games industry. This effort reflects a broader strategy to connect regional stakeholders with global industry events, fostering professional development and business growth within the local sector.

The working session "Gamecity Forecast: Is work still a place?" addressed the evolving nature of professional environments within the German games industry. Held in mid-2021, the session convened representatives from several Hamburg-based companies—including Goodgame Studios, Deep Silver FISHLABS, 4Players, RetroBrain R&D, Tiny Roar, Osmotic Studios, and Curvature Games—to evaluate the long-term implications of remote and hybrid work models following the mandatory remote-work period of the pandemic.

The primary conclusion drawn from the session is that there is no universal solution for modern workspace management. Instead, companies must adopt an iterative approach to refining work culture and office design. Participants emphasized that the industry will not return to pre-pandemic office norms; rather, it must balance individual employee needs with collective organizational goals. A critical finding is that physical office spaces now require a clear, functional, or emotional purpose to justify their use, serving as hubs for inspiration and productive interaction rather than mere administrative locations.

The session highlighted that maintaining informal communication, team cohesion, and work-life balance remains a significant challenge in distributed environments. Success in this transition depends on active listening to stakeholders and a willingness to experiment with new concepts. By focusing on the specific benefits that physical presence provides, studios can better navigate the complexities of hybrid operations and foster a sustainable, modern work culture.

The HAW Hamburg final presentation, held on July 15, 2021, served as a showcase for the academic achievements of graduating Games Master students. Hosted within the Gamecity Online Hub, the event functioned as a platform for emerging developers to present their capstone projects to a professional audience, bridging the gap between academic training and the regional games industry.

The event attracted 75 virtual attendees, with additional participants engaging through a live-streamed presentation moderated by Luis Baltes. The program featured detailed project demonstrations from the graduating class, alongside contributions from first-semester students who showcased mobile and browser-based titles. Professors provided commentary throughout the session, emphasizing the pedagogical milestones reached by the cohort.

Following the formal presentations, attendees were invited to explore the projects via interactive digital arcades. These stations provided direct access to the games through platforms such as itch.io and the Google Play Store, allowing for immediate user testing and feedback. The arcades remained accessible at the Gamecity Headquarters following the event to ensure continued visibility for the students' work. This initiative highlights the ongoing collaboration between HAW Hamburg and local industry support organizations to foster talent development and provide public exposure for new game prototypes within the Hamburg region.

The Gamecity Impulse panel discussion, held on August 12, 2021, served as a platform to address the critical need for improved diversity, equity, and inclusion within the global games industry. The primary objective was to examine the systemic challenges faced by studios, publishers, and independent developers while identifying actionable strategies to foster more inclusive workplace environments and game development practices. By convening industry experts from Hamburg and San Francisco, the event sought to bridge the gap between the diverse global gaming audience—estimated at 2.2 billion people—and the often less diverse teams responsible for creating the content they consume.

The discussion featured insights from professionals representing Niantic, Deep Silver FISHLABS, and Tiny Roar, alongside moderation by a specialist in gender and representation in digital games. Key themes included the necessity of normalizing diversity as a core industry standard and the persistent difficulties in implementing these changes within established corporate structures. The panel emphasized that while the German games industry has taken steps toward formalizing these commitments through initiatives like the "Hier spielt Vielfalt" declaration, significant work remains to ensure these values are integrated into daily operations and creative processes.

This event was part of a broader 2021 series organized by Gamecity Hamburg, designed to facilitate ongoing dialogue and raise awareness regarding diversity-related topics across the gaming sector. By providing a forum for sharing experiences and professional insights, the initiative aimed to offer practical guidance for businesses of all sizes to cultivate safer, more representative, and equitable environments. The session concluded by reinforcing the idea that incorporating a wide range of perspectives is essential for the continued growth and social relevance of the games industry.