On 1 April 2026, the starting signal was given in Leipzig for a project unique in Germany: the R42 Games Hub at Ritterstraße 42 officially opened its doors. Under the motto “Gaming, co-working, production, events, catering and living under one roof”, a venue is taking shape here that brings together the entire games industry and visibly strengthens Saxony’s position as a hub for innovation.

At the opening, prominent guests from the worlds of politics and business spoke about the hub’s appeal: Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer, Leipzig’s Mayor Clemens Schülke and Christopher Siebenhüner, initiator of the R42 and Managing Director of Gecko Two GmbH. Also in attendance: Michael Woitag, CEO of Levelbuild AG, who described the day as a “huge leap forward for Saxony’s digital development”.

“Leipzig is already the centre of the Central German games industry. R42 will accelerate innovation, scale business models and retain highly qualified specialists in the region,” emphasised Kretschmer. Schülke added: “This is where the heart of a young industry beats – creativity, technology and entrepreneurial spirit under one roof.”

A hub with a concept and a vision

The R42 Games Hub covers almost 2,000 square metres in a renovated, listed merchant’s house in the heart of Leipzig. The following have been created on the site:

• around 70 co-working spaces
• a public gaming area
• a professional production studio
• an event arena with catering facilities (BAR42)
• apartments for guests from across the region and abroad
• the R42 Games Accelerator as the hub for start-ups

Since 2022, internal and external coaches have guided over 50 start-ups through the nine-month intensive programme. The result: more than 100 new jobs and several companies that have relocated their headquarters to Saxony.

The start-ups cover a wide range of fields: from game-based learning with PiAS Education and urban experience apps such as ‘Raxlifaxe’ to logistics solutions such as TrustBox. The accelerator is funded with €900,000 from the Saxony Accelerator Programme.

Saxony as a pioneer

With the R42, Saxony is setting new standards across Germany: hubs for start-ups and SMEs, in line with the federal government’s strategy, are being consistently implemented here. At trade fairs such as CAGGTUS or gamescom 2026, the hub presents itself as a platform for regional IT and games companies under the Next Level Saxony brand!

“This day is not a starting point. It shows that we have long been actively shaping the future of the games industry,” explains Christopher Siebenhüner, who has been developing the project alongside Tom Potutschek since 2019.

Saxony has thus visibly moved up the ranks in the national games landscape: from last place in the game association’s federal state ranking to tenth place today – clear evidence of the growing games ecosystem centred around Leipzig and the R42.