More Saxon exhibitors at gamescom 2025

Game highlight: ‘Nice Day for Fishing’ – Launch of the online platform ‘Next Level: Saxony’ – Confirmation for gamescom 2026 Saxony is represented for the second time this year with a joint stand at gamescom, the world’s largest trade fair for computer and video games, in Cologne.

‘Next Level: Saxony!’, initiated by Games & XR Mitteldeutschland, offers gamers an excellent network and information on financial support, among other things. The participation of the City of Leipzig and Mitteldeutsche Medienförderung GmbH (MDM) round off the presentation with their offers for competence networking and promotion.

“We are delighted with the increase in the number of exhibitors compared to last year (2024: 19). This confirms the importance of trade fair events as a marketing tool for companies, as they offer the perfect platform for making direct personal contact with potential customers and partners and initiating business relationships. The relevance of the industry for the business location and the corresponding support from the Free State is also reflected in the fact that a joint stand is planned again for gamescom next year. This is an important signal. After all, regular trade fair appearances strengthen the perception of the industry and the position of the location in the international environment. In addition, customers and business partners see the repeated presence as a sign of stability and commitment on the part of the industry. This helps to build relevant networks and establish long-term partnerships,” explains WFS Managing Director Thomas Horn.

“We are a small development studio with just five employees. Nevertheless, we have managed to land a “big fish”. Our game “Nice Day for Fishing” is a collaboration with British publisher Team17 and New Zealand theatre troupe Viva La Dirt League, who are well established in the gaming community and appreciated by fans and developers alike. The stars are coming to Germany for gamescom and will be joining us on various stages to tell the success story behind the project. We hope this will increase our visibility beyond our fan base,” says Konrad Kunze, Managing Director of FusionPlay GmbH.

‘The games industry is a boon for Leipzig as a business location. Leipzig stands for opportunity and innovative spirit. gamescom offers the ideal stage to showcase these strengths to the world. Through our participation, we are increasing the visibility of Leipzig-based companies and hope to establish contact with companies interested in relocating here,’ emphasises Anja Hähle-Posselt, Head of the Office for Economic Development of the City of Leipzig.

Extensive programme

“I think it’s great that the Free State of Saxony is once again making a joint stand possible for the Saxon games industry – for the second year in a row. This is a real sign, both internally and externally, that Saxony wants to be at the forefront of gaming in Germany. I am particularly pleased that we will not only be present at the stand again with R42, but will also be able to organise this year’s supporting programme,” explains Christopher Siebenhüner, founder and CEO of Gecko Two GmbH and initiator of the R42 Games Hub & Accelerator.

Even before gamescom began, exhibitors had the opportunity to prepare for the demands of the trade fair in three events (‘Road to gamescom’ event – Your gamescom Survival Guide, Pre-Campfire Pitching with Jan Halwe and How to Press with Bernd Berheide).
The following varied supporting programme will then be available at the trade fair itself:

Wednesday, 20th August 2025
– 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – Presentation: Next Level Saxony online platform
– 1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. – ‘Games for and with blind people – why it’s worth it’ (Stefan Wilhelm)
– 4:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – ‘Friendly Fire Unplugged – A look behind the streams’ (Lena Laaser)

Thursday, 21st August 2025
– 10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. – ‘How to develop a game with 70 students – and why?!’ (Alexander Marbach)
– 4:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – ‘What is it like to be a game developer in Saxony?’ – Panel with Sarah Weding, Julien Schillinger and Richard Minkus
– 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. – ‘Bergfest’ networking event
Gamers, developers, publishers, influencers, sponsors and investors are expected to attend the joint stand. The aim is to raise the profile of the Saxon gaming industry nationally and
internationally and to attract potential partners for cooperation and relocation to Saxony.

Friday, 22nd August 2025
– 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.: ‘Early Bird’ networking event

The supporting programme is being organised by Gecko Two GmbH with R42, the ecosystem for the games industry in Leipzig, in cooperation with WFS and the Office for Economic Development of the City of Leipzig.

Exhibitors at gamescom

The following exhibitors will be presenting their products at the trade fair in Hall 4.1, Business Area (A-051g-B-060g)

• FusionPlay GmbH, Leipzig,
• Games & XR Mitteldeutschland e.V., Leipzig, mit folgenden Akteuren:
– Actrio Studio UG, Leipzig,
– Fourexo Entertainment GmbH, Dresden,
– ROTxBLAU UG, Leipzig,
• Gecko Two GmbH, Leipzig, 
• Leipziger Messe / CAGGTUS,
• Mitteldeutsche Medienförderung GmbH (MDM), Leipzig, mit folgenden Akteuren:
– bloomgeist UG, Leipzig,
– Moonlit Monitors UG, Bernburg,
– PlayInsight Studios, Jena,
– Rat King Entertainment GbR, Halle,
– Stepheight UG, Jena,
• R42 – Games Hub & Games Accelerator, Leipzig, mit folgenden Akteuren:
– bitaggregat GmbH, Leipzig,
– Flexi-Servers GbR, Oschatz,
– JoyJab GmbH, Waldenburg, 
– PandaBee Studios UG, Leipzig,
– Qubi Sphere – Alexandra Rupp & Marie Ronniger GbR, Halle,
– Traveller‘s Box (Laurenz Bischoff), Dresden,
• Schenker Technologies GmbH (XMG), Leipzig, 
• Spaghetting-Code Softworks GbR, Leipzig,
• Stadt Leipzig,
• Wanderweg Games Forberg & Forberg GbR, Leipzig.

The Saxon joint stand is organised by WFS on behalf of the Saxon State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Labour, Energy and Climate Protection (SMWA).

(Source: Press release issued by Wirtschaftsförderung Sachsen GmbH on August 18th 2025)