gamescom 2026: North Rhine-Westphalia as an International Hub for the Games Industry
International perspectives at the “Welcome to NRW” stand – around 1,000 guests at the first NRW Games Reception – the latest games from North Rhine-Westphalia – high-profile visits from politics and the industry
gamescom 2026 further strengthened its international reach: 368,000 visitors from 131 countries came to Cologne from 26 to 30 August, including more than 36,000 trade visitors. Over three days, the Film and Media Foundation NRW presented an extensive international stage programme, the latest games from North Rhine-Westphalia, as well as networking and advisory services at the “Welcome to NRW” joint stand in the Business Area.
First NRW Games Reception Welcomes Around 1,000 Guests
A particular highlight was the first-ever NRW Games Reception. Around 1,000 representatives of the national and international games industry came together on the Rhine. Minister-President Hendrik Wüst welcomed the guests and emphasised the economic, technological, cultural and social importance of games.
Organised by the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, the City of Cologne, KölnBusiness and the Film and Media Foundation NRW, the NRW Games Reception created a new setting for direct dialogue between the games industry, politics, business and the creative sector. The focus was on international networking, new partnerships and strengthening North Rhine-Westphalia as a games hub.
International Perspectives at the “Welcome to NRW” Stand
The Film and Media Foundation NRW’s programme at the “Welcome to NRW” stand was more international than ever before. The well-attended NRW reception at the stand was opened by Nathanael Liminski, Minister for Federal and European Affairs, International Affairs and Media of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, and Walid Nakschbandi, Managing Director of the Film and Media Foundation NRW.
Among the stand’s special guests were Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Cologne’s Lord Mayor Torsten Burmester. Their visits underlined the growing importance of the games industry as an economic force, driver of innovation, cultural asset and social space.
On the first day of the programme, talks featuring guests from Africa, Brazil and Thailand explored international games markets and new opportunities for cooperation. “GamesConnect AFRICA” demonstrated how access to funding, professional development, networks and policy advocacy can contribute to building a sustainable games ecosystem across the African continent. Further sessions highlighted São Paulo as a gateway to the Latin American games industry and Thailand’s growing international presence.
The day concluded with the panel “Games with a Purpose: Why Identity Matters More Than the Next Trend”, powered by VideoDays Festival. The discussion explored why successful games need more than compelling gameplay and impressive graphics, focusing on clear creative visions, values, narrative design and long-term community engagement.
Career Paths, Co-Productions and Social Responsibility
The second day of the programme addressed current changes within the games industry. At the panel “What’s Next? Building Resilient Careers in Games”, organised in cooperation with Womenize! Games & Tech, the discussion focused on transferable skills, continuous learning and the importance of professional networks in building resilient careers.
The French-German VR co-production “The Amusement”, presented together with the Creative Europe Desk NRW, ARTE and the Institut français, illustrated the creative opportunities and challenges of cross-border collaboration.
Under the title “Crossing the Atlantic”, two panels examined the games industries in the United States and Canada. Topics included international career paths, the impact of artificial intelligence on game development and the long-term importance of targeted funding instruments in building a competitive games hub.
Further talks addressed contemporary and sustainable workplace culture in North Rhine-Westphalia, the potential of gaming culture for extremism prevention and democracy education, and the adaptation of the successful “MicroMacro” board game concept for smartphones.
The Latest Games from North Rhine-Westphalia
In the Gaming Area at the NRW stand, developers from North Rhine-Westphalia presented their latest projects. Visitors could play “Bellfrost” by Laserbread, “MicroMacro: Downtown Detective” by Soft Boiled Games, “Kerogen” by Zartbitter Games, “Night Runner” by 314 Arts and “Media Circus” by Papercoda Games. Students from Cologne Game Lab also presented “Magiya”, “Meso” and “Poison is Served”.
North Rhine-Westphalia also had a strong presence in the Consumer Area: NRW titles including “Nether Spirits”, “Detective of the Dead”, “Shallow Pond” and “Dawn of Defense” were available to play at the Indie Arena Booth.
“gamescom 2026 impressively demonstrated just how international, innovative and socially relevant the games industry is. For three days, our ‘Welcome to NRW’ stand was a place for new perspectives, personal encounters and concrete partnerships. North Rhine-Westphalia is home to strong studios, talented professionals, companies, universities and networks. As the Film and Media Foundation NRW, we want to help make this local strength visible internationally and support its continued development,” said Walid Nakschbandi, Managing Director of the Film and Media Foundation NRW.
Film and Media NRW would like to thank all speakers, panellists, moderators, international guests and cooperation partners, as well as the entire FMS team, for three successful days at the trade fair.