Bavaria’s Minister for Digital Affairs, Dr. Fabian Mehring: “Our pixel pioneers are setting standards”

Games: An Engine for Innovation

Dr. Mehring, be honest: Do you ever play video games?

Dr. Fabian Mehring: Of course, I grew up with games. I still remember playing Monkey Island and Midtown Madness as a child and experiencing my first adventures with Super Mario – it’s hard to believe that this cult game has just celebrated its 40th birthday. Today, I am particularly excited about projects from Bavaria that create real added value for children and families. I would particularly like to recommend to parents our learning app Wo ist Goldi? (Where Is Goldi?), which playfully teaches primary school children how to use digital media safely. So games have been part of my life since childhood – from classic console games to innovative educational games from Bavaria.

What significance do digital games have today and in the future?

Dr. Mehring: Games have long been a cultural asset and a driver of innovation in the digital transformation. More than half of Germans play regularly – from children to senior citizens. Games can impart knowledge, promote creative thinking, bring democratic processes to life, and enable social participation. They are therefore much more than just a leisure activity: They are educational tools, economic factors, and cultural expressions all at once. In an increasingly digital world, their importance will continue to grow – both for society and for Bavaria as a business location.

Bavaria takes the top spot among Germany’s gaming locations

Let’s take a closer look at this. What role do digital games play for Bavaria as a business location?

Dr. Mehring: Our pixel pioneers are setting standards: Bavaria is now the top location for games in Germany, overtaking even Berlin and North Rhine-Westphalia. With creative start-ups, internationally successful studios, and innovative educational offerings, Bavaria is demonstrating the broad potential of games. For us, they are an economic force, a business location factor, and the embodiment of the digital transformation all at once. Our goal is clear: We want to further advance Bavaria as the German home of games and develop it into a leading European location. Because games from Bavaria already stand for innovation, quality, and social added value.

That sounds promising. What concrete political steps are you taking to promote games in Bavaria?

Dr. Mehring: We will double the games budget, giving the industry a double boost. With programs such as Level Up!, we specifically support founders, young talent, and innovative projects. At the same time, we are raising the profile of Bavaria’s developers – for example at Gamescom, where Bavaria is flying the flag as a top location for games. We are continuously expanding our support because we are convinced that investing in games means investing in future technologies, creative minds, and a growing industry.