German games funding programme officially notified by the European Commission

The funding programme for game development in Germany has officially been notified by the European Commission. This was announced by the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure. The Ministry had previously been commissioned by the German Bundestag to develop a games funding programme after the decision was made, that the federal budget for 2019 and the upcoming years will include a funding in the amount of 50 million euros per year to promote computer game development in Germany.

Felix Falk, Managing Director of game: ‘Good news from Brussels: With the EU notification the funding programme for games has taken a final hurdle. Now the precise details for the application must be clarified. After close collaboration between the games industry and the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure on the so-called De-minimis-funding we are more than confident, that the start of the major funding directive will go well.’

The games funding in Germany is to be awarded automatically and, as in the United Kingdom or France, is subject to the respective title passing a cultural test. It is a non-repayable subsidy and the funding rate should be between 25 and 50 per cent depending on the size of the project. Regarding the Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure the funding programme is expected to start in spring.

game – the German Games Industry Association:

We are the association of the German games industry. Our members include developers, publishers and many other games industry actors such as esports event organisers, educational establishments and service providers. As a joint organiser of gamescom, we are responsible for the world’s biggest event for computer and video games. We are an expert partner for media and for political and social institutions, and answer questions relating to market development, games culture and media literacy. Our mission is to make Germany the best games location.