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From August 21-25, gamescom, the largest video game trade show in the world, will return to Cologne. Gamecity Hamburg’s “Road to gamescom”, enables five independent studios in Hamburg to take part in the Indie Arena Booth – the largest booth of all game developers in the world. They will also be able to present their games in front of a large number of visitors at gamescom, as well as prospective business partners and members from the media. Hamburg-based companies will also be present at gamescom, showcasing their projects and holding business meetings.
We bring independent studios to games events relevant to them and help them prepare to meet publishers, establish contacts and show their games to the public. Dennis Schoubye is the Head of Gamecity Hamburg. “Our joint stand at Indie Arena Booth allows us to achieve these goals at Gamescom”, he says. Five promising projects will be presented by Gamecity Hamburg’s joint booth at the Indie Arena Booth, Hall 10.2, F010g-E019.
Five studios will be presenting their games at Indie Arena Booth:
G odcomplex games – Stack’em Up
Godcomplex Games has completed the Games Lift Incubator in 2022, and received prototype funding to develop their game by 2023. Stack ‘Em Up, an online and offline multiplayer party game with up to four players, is a fun online and off-line game. They can combine slimes that have unique abilities and stack them to earn points and eliminate their opponents.
Markus Koepke: Journey Beyond the Edge of the World
Journey Beyond is a first-person immersive adventure that takes place on an abandoned fishing boat in the middle the North Sea. The ship’s mysterious past is revealed by puzzles, atmospheric music, and radio recordings. Markus Koepke completed the Gamecity Hamburg Games Lift Incubator for 2023.
Pipapo Game – Map Map A Game About Maps
Pipapo Games has completed the HAW Games master, developed their game further in the Games Lift Incubator in 2023, and received prototype funding from Gamecity Hamburg in 2024. Map Map – A Game About Maps is a cozy exploration game that lets players take on the role of adventurers and cartographers. They explore and map unknown islands, full of secrets to get closer and closer to a hidden treasure.
Slime King Games: Under the Island
Under the Island is a RPG with fantastic graphics. It also has a deep adventure story. Nia must save her island home, along with new friends, after moving to Seashell Island. Under the Island combines old-school RPGs with new ideas, a fantastic soundtrack and well-made classics.
Sven Ahlgrimm & Mathilde Hoffmann – ODDADA
ODDADA is an interactive music kit. The game allows players to create their own musical environments: machines and structures become instruments which play different compositions on different levels. Ahlgrimm and Hoffmann, the Berlin/Hamburg developer duo, are from Berlin. Mathilde Hoffmann, a Hamburg native, has worked as a sound designer and composer in games for years.
Three of the five presented projects received funding from Gamecity Hamburg. This included participation in the Games Lift Incubator as well as receiving prototype funding.
Companies in Hamburg to attend Gamescom 2024
At gamescom 2024, other companies in the Hamburg games industry are expected to be present to showcase their new games and to form new business relationships. Some examples:
S. At the Indie Arena Booth, a demo will be available.
Mooneye Studios is part of the Home of Indies and will be represented in Hall 10.2 by the games Smushi Come Home (Smushi Come Home), Farewell North (Farewell North) and Lost Ember.
InnoGames GmbH is available to meet with the press and for business appointments.
Bigpoint GmbH is available for press and business appointments in the B2B section.
Daedalic Entertainment is available for B2B talks, and will present the cozy puzzle Woodo at the B2C indie area.
The Hamburg gaming internet channel Rocket Beans TV will also broadcast numerous gamescom live events.
Gamecity Hamburg is a supporter of the Hamburg gaming industry and its diversity
In addition to funding, the Gamecity Hamburg initiative is funded by the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg and supports the regional games sector with tailored programs. In the Games Lift Incubator program, game developers and entrepreneurs receive a year of intensive mentoring and coaching from international industry experts, in addition to the financial support. Gamecity Hamburg supports the development and production of games prototypes with funding up to 80,000 Euros per project. Gamecity Hamburg has introduced in 2024 a diversity checklist that is mandatory for all applicants to the funding programs. This actively encourages more diversity among teams and projects.