gamescom 2026: North Rhine-Westphalia as an International Hub for the Gaming Industry

International Perspectives at the “Welcome to NRW” Booth – Approximately 1,000 Guests at the First NRW Games Reception – Current Games from North Rhine-Westphalia – High-Profile Visitors from Politics and the Industry

gamescom 2026 has further expanded its international reach: 368,000 visitors from 131 countries came to Cologne from August 26 to 30, including more than 36,000 industry professionals. The Film- und Medienstiftung NRW was present for three days in the Business Area at the “Welcome to NRW” joint booth, featuring an extensive international stage program, the latest games from North Rhine-Westphalia, and opportunities for consultation and networking.

First NRW Games Reception with Around 1,000 Guests

The event kicked off with a special highlight: the inaugural NRW Games Reception. Around 1,000 representatives from the national and international games industry gathered on the Rhine. Minister President Hendrik Wüst welcomed the guests and emphasized the economic, technological, cultural, and social significance of games.

With the NRW Games Reception, the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, the City of Cologne, KölnBusiness, and the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW created a new platform for direct exchange between the games industry, politics, business, and the creative scene. The focus was on international networking, new collaborations, and strengthening North Rhine-Westphalia as a gaming hub.

International Perspectives at the “Welcome to NRW” Booth

The program presented by the Film and Media Foundation NRW at the “Welcome to NRW” booth was more international than ever before. The very well-attended NRW reception 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.

Special guests at the booth included Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Cologne’s Mayor Torsten Burmester. Their visits underscored the growing importance of the games industry as an economic factor, a driver of innovation, a cultural asset, and a social space.

On the first day of the program, panel discussions featuring guests from Africa, Brazil, and Thailand focused on international games markets and new opportunities for cooperation. “GamesConnect AFRICA” demonstrated how financing, training, networking, and political advocacy can contribute to the development of a sustainable games ecosystem on the African continent. Other sessions highlighted São Paulo as a gateway to the Latin American games industry, as well as Thailand’s growing international presence.

To wrap up, the panel “Games with a Purpose: Why Identity Matters More Than the Next Trend,” powered by VideoDays Festival, discussed why successful games need more than just compelling gameplay and strong graphics. The focus was on clear creative visions, values, narrative design, and building long-term community engagement.

Career Paths, Co-productions, and Social Responsibility

The second day of the program was dedicated to current changes within the games industry. The panel “What’s Next? Building Resilient Careers in Games,” in cooperation with Womenize! Games & Tech, addressed transferable skills, continuous learning, and the importance of professional networks for resilient career paths.

The German-French VR co-production “The Amusement,” in collaboration 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 gaming industries in the U.S. and Canada. Discussions centered on international career paths, the impact of artificial intelligence on game development, and the long-term importance of targeted funding instruments for building a competitive gaming hub.

Other talks addressed a modern and sustainable work culture in North Rhine-Westphalia, the potential of gaming culture for preventing extremism and promoting democracy, and the adaptation of the successful board game “MicroMacro” for smartphones.

Current Games from North Rhine-Westphalia

In the Gaming Area at the NRW booth, developers from North Rhine-Westphalia presented their current projects. Visitors were able to try out “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 the Cologne Game Lab also presented “Magiya,” “Meso,” and “Poison is Served.”

North Rhine-Westphalia was also strongly represented in the Consumer Area: At the Indie Arena Booth, visitors could play NRW titles such as “Nether Spirits,” “Detective of the Dead,” “Shallow Pond,” and “Dawn of Defense,” among others.

“gamescom 2026 impressively demonstrated just how international, innovative, and socially relevant the games industry is. For three days, our ‘Welcome to NRW’ booth served as a place for new perspectives, personal encounters, and concrete collaborations. North Rhine-Westphalia boasts strong studios, talent, companies, universities, and networks. As the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW, we want to help raise the international profile of this local strength and further develop it,” said Walid Nakschbandi, Managing Director of the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW.

The Film- und Medienstiftung NRW would like to thank all speakers, panelists, moderators, international guests, and collaboration partners, as well as the entire FMS team, for three successful days at the trade show.

All photos of the “Welcome to NRW” booth can be downloaded here.