Game Action in Germany

Just got back from an enjoyable quick trip to Germany for the Games Convention in Leipzig. The GC is an E3-like game expo catering to the German/Euro market - with the major exception that it is open to the public. The event saw upwards of 100,000 German consumers running like crazed game fans throughout the massive convention center. I must say that I was thoroughly impressed with the scope and energy behind GC.

Attached to the GC was a small developers conference that attracted some 300+ (mainly) German developers over two days. I gave one of the keynote speeches, covering the debate over licensed IP and original content. Admittedly, it was tough to deliver the lecture having just arrived at the conference directly off an overnight flight... Thankfully, the event staff were very courteous and made all their speakers feel like true VIPs. Sadly, I did not get the chance to take in much of the conference, but it seemed like a good mix of content/speakers for only their second outing. I expect things will grow/improve dramatically over the next few years...

Much like in China, there was a funky undertone of tension - a feeling of legitimacy of games as an art form and a serious business, versus games as a corruptor of youth and a frivolous waster of time among Germany's customarily industrious populace. This tension could not have been more evident than during the GC's opening ceremony: An extremely enjoyable symphony orchestra playing great game compositions mired by official speeches, one of which stressed on game violence and the need to regulate content, etc... Oh well - one step forward, two steps back.

In terms of IGDA business, it was great to build up some developers contacts in Germany, where we only just started our first chapter in Frankfurt am Main. Jochen Hamma did a great job of organizing a special dinner for German developers interested in starting chapters. Even Jeferson Valadares from the Brazil chapter popped in to provide some words of encouragement. It was a great evening!

Overall it was a great trip and gave me new insight into the German game dev scene. As Bob Bates noted several times, he sees a bright future for German developers - Crytek being just one recent example of this sentiment...