More initiatives of the Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft
De
More initiatives of the Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft

More than two million euros for Hamburg's games industry

Hamburg supports the development of computer games with 520,000 euros per year and a new incubator

The Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg is funding the development of computer games with 520,000 euros per year from 2020. The funds will initially be made available from 2020 to 2023. gamecity:Hamburg will be responsible for consulting and handling the new games funding. In the second half of 2020, gamecity:Hamburg as part of the Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft will launch a new prototype funding program and, for the first time, an incubator to prepare developers for the challenges of the games industry. gamecity:Hamburg is thus the only location initiative of the games industry in Germany to offer network activities, services and financial support in equal measure.

From this year on, computer game prototypes in Hamburg will be eligible for non-repayable grants of up to 80,000 euros per project. The funding rate is a maximum of 75 percent with an own contribution of at least 25 percent of the eligible costs. Developers and game studios (natural and legal persons) are eligible to apply - from young and small developer studios to established companies that have their headquarters or a permanent office in Hamburg at the start of the funding received. A total of 400,000 euros per year will be made available for the funding of prototypes.

With an incubator tailored to the requirements of the games industry, up to five teams will be supported for three months with mentoring, workshops, work stations and financial assistance of 15,000 euros each. Selected workshops of the incubator are also open to recipients of the prototype funding. The incubator will receive 120,000 euros per year.

Dr. Carsten Brosda, Hamburg’s Minister of Culture and Media: "Hamburg is one of the largest locations for the development and marketing of computer games in Germany. A total of ten private and public educational institutions also train the developers and games specialists of tomorrow. With the new games funding and the incubator, we are giving founders and start-ups an additional motivation to implement their business ideas in Hamburg. At the same time, we are further strengthening the competencies of gamecity:Hamburg with this funding and making this initiative of the Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft the central partner with extensive service offers for the games industry in Hamburg.”

Egbert Rühl, Managing Director Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft: "In recent years, the Kreativ Gesellschaft has both considerably expanded and specialized its range of services. With gamecity:Hamburg and the new tailor-made support program we can now offer the games industry, which is so important for Hamburg, the necessary support. The strategy of expanding the Kreativ Gesellschaft as the central institution for Hamburg's creative industry and combining designxport, nextMedia, gamecity and the Cross Innovation Hub here is a success. Comprehensive competence, strong synergies and sustainability are the proof of this.”

Dennis Schoubye, Project Lead gamecity:Hamburg: "With the introduction of the new prototype funding in combination with an incubator, we can support game developers on several levels and for this, we will activate the strong network of successful game studios in Hamburg. The incubator is just one format in our overall strategy to promote the knowledge exchange between companies and young talents in Hamburg. With the incubator, we aim to provide active and tailor-made support to young teams of developers in the development of concepts with high market potential.”

Hamburg is supporting the development of computer games regardless of the expected German age rating by the “USK”. gamecity:Hamburg and the new games funding understand games equally as an economic factor and cultural asset, which definitely can also be designed for an adult target group.

We will publish further information on games funding and the first submission deadline in March 2020.

Subscribe to our newsletter for future information: REGISTER here

News

Pride Month 2025 - Tips and Events

Happy Pride Month! We compiled some information and events and tips for the ongoing Pride Month to celebrate Diversity in Games and those who make them.

Games Lift: Why We Went to Nordic

Conventions are an essential part of gaming. They bring the industry together for fun and business. That’s why the trip to Nordic Game in 2025 was a highlight for Gamecity Hamburg.

The Hamburg Delegation poses in front of a Nordic Game Sign

Recap: Nordic Game Conference 2025

Let's look back at our Nordic Game Conference: We attended the Nordic Game Conference 2025 in Malmö, with the Games Lift Incubator 2024 teams and four Hamburg indie game developers and their game projects who attended via Road to Nordic 2025.

Gamecity Hamburg Prototype Funding 2025: Six Prototypes Funded

In the latest round of funding 2025, Gamecity Hamburg supports six promising digital games with up to 80,000 euros each as a non-repayable grant.

Deutscher Computerspielpreis 2025 Photo by Franziska Krug/ DCP via Getty Images

Games Lift: An Incubator With Quantifiable Success

Is the Games Lift incubator worth it? Sure. Anyone can say that, but facts are better than empty claims. We have numbers to show what the incubator brings. 

Applications open for “Games Forged in Germany”: The Steam Sale organized by Games Germany enters its fourth round

German Developers, studios and publishers with their headquarter in Germany can now apply for the Games Germany Steam Sale for "Games Forged in Germany" 2025 until June 9, 2025.

Portside Game Assembly: Conference Speaker and Program Announced

Portside Game Assembly will take place on June 27, 2025 - Time to announce the full conference speaker and program line-up! This new dedicated B2B conference invites dedicated international indie game leaders aboard a ship cruising Hamburg’s famous harbour. In this focused and collaborative setting, indie leaders and decision makers will engage in a curated program of keynotes, impulse talks, and roundtables.

Games Lift 2025: Apply now from May 2 until June 10

Applications for Gamecity Hamburg's 2025 Games Lift are open from May 2 to June 10. Five teams will receive financial support in form of 15,000 euros, a comprehensive workshop program and access to the Games Lift Network of international industry experts. In addition, the teams can benefit from 1,000 euros in coaching budget. After a three-month workshop phase, the teams will be further supported with individual mentoring and will travel together to an international industry event until August 2026.

Road to Nordic 2025 - These Four Hamburg Games are Traveling to Malmö

With a spacious expo area, exciting developer showcases and many opportunities for business meetings, the Nordic Game Conference is one of the most important games conferences in Europe. It offers developers plenty of opportunities to network and meet relevant business contacts in person. Gamecity Hamburg will be back again in 2025, bringing four indie games from Hamburg to Malmö as part of the “Road to Nordic” program.

Road to gamescom 2025 - Apply until April 16!

Road to gamescom is back: We offer spots at our joint Gamecity Hamburg booth at the Indie Arena Booth for Hamburg-based studios, teams and devs. Apply now until April 16!

Prototype Funding 2025: Applications open until April 7

Applications for Gamecity Hamburg's 2025 prototype funding are open from March 3 to April 7. This year's funding round provides 400,000 euros in total and up to 80,000 euros per accepted application team.

Road to Nordic Game 2025

Gamecity Hamburg offers a Road to Nordic Game Conference program: We offer four spots at our Gamecity Hamburg booth for Hamburg-based studios, teams and devs. Apply now until March 30!

More News
Cookies are used to make this website work and to enhance your experience.

To learn more about the types of cookies this website uses, see our Cookie Policy. You can decide for yourself which categories you want to allow. Please note that based on your settings, not all functions of the website may be available.

Cookies are used to make this website work and to enhance your experience.

To learn more about the types of cookies this website uses, see our Cookie Policy. You can decide for yourself which categories you want to allow. Please note that based on your settings, not all functions of the website may be available.

Your cookie preferences have been saved.