Saxony has great potential for the gaming industry, but so far it remains largely untapped. Although there are some successes, such as the recently launched video game fair "Caggtus" in Leipzig and the successful developer studio Toxtronyx, Saxon developer studios and video games have a hard time gaining a foothold in the market. The reasons for this are manifold and are only partly due to money. In this article, the challenges, obstacles and possible solutions for the Saxon gaming industry are highlighted.
The Saxon gaming industry consists largely of small and micro enterprises, many of which live at or below subsistence level. In a location assessment of the German gaming industry associations, Saxony landed in last place, and not without reason. One of the main reasons is the lack of specific public funding for video games. There are funding opportunities through the Mitteldeutsche Medienförderung (MDM), but these are primarily focused on films and television productions. The promotion of video games and their developer studios often falls by the wayside.
In recent years, however, there have been some bright spots in Saxony's gaming scene. One of the best-known examples is the successful game "On the Road: Truck Simulator" by the developer studio Toxtronyx from Chemnitz, which sold over 250,000 copies. Another example is the Dresden-based studio Fourexo Entertainment, which is working on the promising business simulation game "Highrise City". Both studios show that there is definitely potential for successful game development in Saxony if the right framework conditions are created.
One way to strengthen the industry would be to introduce specific support programs for video games, as they already exist in other German states. The Saxon state chancellery has already shown itself open to such measures. In addition, closer cooperation between the gaming industry and other sectors of the economy, such as the film industry or medical technology, could create synergy effects and thus promote the growth of the industry. In Saxony, there are already initiatives such as the "Games Innovation Award Saxony" that promote such collaborations.
In addition to funding, training is also an important factor for the development of the gaming industry in Saxony. Universities and colleges could play a greater role here by focusing more on the topic of video games and offering corresponding courses of study. In cities such as Leipzig, Dresden and Mittweida, there are already degree programs that deal with video game development, but there is still room for improvement and expansion.
Another starting point for strengthening Saxony's gaming industry is networking and cooperation among companies. Successful clusters and networks have already formed in many other German states, enabling cooperation and the exchange of knowledge and resources. Saxony could benefit from such structures if it succeeds in establishing and promoting such networking. To this end, the establishment of a dedicated gaming industry association or close cooperation with existing associations at the federal level, such as game - Association of the German Games Industry, would be an important step.
Not least, public perception of the gaming industry also plays a crucial role. The recognition of video games as a cultural asset and the appreciation of the work of developer studios are crucial to strengthen the industry in Saxony. Events such as "Caggtus" in Leipzig, which will continue to be held regularly in the coming years, can help to arouse public interest and further establish gaming culture in Saxony.
Conclusion
The gaming industry in Saxony has great potential, but in order to fully exploit this potential, politicians as well as business and educational institutions must pull together. Introducing targeted support programs, improving training, networking the industry and strengthening public awareness are important building blocks for advancing Saxony's gaming scene and giving it the boost it needs. If these challenges can be met, Saxon developer studios and video games could also be successful on the international market in the future, making an important contribution to the state's economic and cultural diversity.
Source: MDR
