The #gamesweekberlin kicks off on Monday, 24 April. Around 15,000 visitors are expected to attend the 11 events under the umbrella brand during the seven days until 30 April. At today’s press conference the organisers presented the comprehensive programme for #gamesweekberlin which is being staged this year under the motto of „No games, no future“ and aimed at gamers, fans, families and industry delegates alike.
What does the motto “No games, no future“ stand for? Computer games are the driving force and indicator of the state of digital connectivity. Is the German games industry producing internationally successful computer games? Other vital and structurally relevant industries then benefit. The country is prepared for the new wave of digital innovations.
The latest figures from the BIU (German Games Industry Association) confirm the industry’s economic clout: the total sales for computer and video games and gaming hardware stand at 2.9 billion Euros, thereby maintaining the positive development of previous years. Moreover, the BIU used the occasion of the press conference to present new statistics about the development of personnel levels and companies in the games industry in Germany.
“The German capital region is the leading hub for the games industry in Germany”, observes Michael Müller, Governing Mayor of Berlin. “The #gamesweekberlin provides an ideal opportunity for getting an overall picture of the strengths and potential of the capital region and the sector.”
The #gamesweekberlin will kick off with the QUO VADIS. It was exactly 10 years ago that the Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg brought the developers’ conference to Berlin for the first time in 2007. The QUO VADIS is expecting to welcome 3,000 professional delegates in the STATION Berlin from Monday onwards. The same location will then host the official opening of the #gamesweekberlin on the evening of the first day (from 18.00).
300 invited guests will hear political keynotes by the Head of the Senate Chancellery, Björn Böhning, and the Parliamentary State Secretary, Dirk Wiese (Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy), as well as keynote speakers from the games industry and partner industries, including Helge Jürgens (Managing Director Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg), Luke Crane (Head of Games Kickstarter), Felix Falk (CEO German Games Industry Association), Mike Hines (Developer Evangelist at Amazon Appstore) and Christopher Schmitz (Executive Producer IO Interactive).
Michael Liebe, Head of #gamesweekberlin: „None of this would have been possible without the backing of the Medienboard which is supporting seven of the 11 events. Berlin-Brandenburg offers the ideal environment for the development of innovative games as well as international events. The latest companies to set up shops in the region confirm this. I am looking forward to this week when the capital becomes our playground!”
Apart from the QUO VADIS conference, highlights in the #gamesweekberlin’s programme for professional delegates and academics include the A MAZE./ Berlin Independent Video Games Festival, the Researching Games BarCamp, the APITs Day 2017, the Berlin Games Breakfast, the Womenize! games design workshop and the Matchmaking Dinner.
The Gamefest at the Computer Games Museum, the Local Multiplayer Show Game Cinema and the Making Games Festival are aimed at fans, gamers and families.
The press conference for the #gamesweekberlin also served as the platform for a special announcement. The prestigious developer studio Ubisoft Blue Byte declared its intention to open an office in Berlin. Benedikt Grindel, Studio Manager at Ubisoft Blue Byte, said: “Berlin has enormous potential. There are lots of newcomers and experienced veterans whom we can give a chance to work on AAA games productions and make use of Ubisoft’s extensive training and career opportunities. I would like to stress how well the collaboration is functioning with local partners and the political authorities. We are being actively supported in setting up shop in Berlin by the Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg and Berlin Partner, in particular.”
Istvan Tajnay, Studio Operations Director at Ubisoft Blue Byte, will also speak in detail about Ubisoft Blue Byte’s plans in Berlin when he appears as a guest at the Opening Summit.
Ubisoft Blue Byte is one of the most well-known companies in the German games industry. Founded in 1988 with headquarters in Düsseldorf, the developer studio is known internationally for its successful „The Settlers“ real-time strategy game series. It has since concentrated on the PC porting of Ubisoft’s console titles and the development of its own PC game brands. Overall, Ubisoft Blue Byte has published more than 30 games and is one of the 10 largest developers in Germany.
More information about the #gamesweekberlin 2017, registration and tickets at: www.gamesweekberlin.com .
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