Games, panels, talks: the 1st Massif Games Convention (MGC) kicks off in Frankfurt at Massif Central: From February 19 to 22, companies, experts and young professionals from the gaming industry as well as politicians will come together to talk about the potential of the gaming industry, among other things.
"We are expecting several hundred visitors per day, mainly key players from the industry," explains Florian Joeckel, Managing Director of Massif Central. "They can look forward to more than ten exhibitors, twelve panels, talks and lectures on various topics, selected serious game applications and a play zone with arcade machines." A world premiere will also take place on February 21: Two virtual cyclists will compete against each other in the qualifying race for the Virtual Hero - Eurobike Champion as part of the Eurobike cycling trade fair from 4pm; the virtual race will be broadcast live from Massif Central. The convention is a joint project of Massif Central, Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences and the guilty76 tripleA agency. The City of Frankfurt's Department of Economic Affairs is supporting the 1st MGC.
The games industry is a central sub-market of the cultural and creative industries - and a relevant economic factor that generates around 10 billion euros in revenue in Germany, 2 billion of which is generated in Frankfurt-Rhine-Main. "The games industry has developed into an important branch of industry with high growth rates in turnover and employment," explains Stephanie Wüst, Head of Economic Affairs for the City of Frankfurt, adding: "Alongside cities such as Berlin and Cologne, Frankfurt is one of the hotspots of the German games industry." Since the introduction of federal games funding, which has since been discontinued, and a federal games strategy in 2020, the framework conditions for the industry have improved significantly: nationwide, the funding has led to a 26% increase in the number of games companies and a 12% increase in the number of employees in the industry. "Serious games funding has been available in Hesse since 2021, with seven projects receiving a total of 260,000 euros in funding in 2023. That's very little compared to other federal states, and Hesse has a lot of catching up to do here. However, I am sure that events such as the Massif Games Convention will set an example and make politicians aware of the importance of the industry," said Wüst.
Prof. Will Weber from Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences adds: "Games from Frankfurt and the Rhine-Main region enjoy great international recognition; with companies such as Crytek, Deck 13, Nintendo, Playstation and other players, they are positioned in the front row.
They offer jobs with an international focus at a high level." What makes Frankfurt and the region so interesting for the games industry? According to Weber, the airport, Messe Frankfurt and an extremely dynamic, creative scene.
Programme highlights of the 1st Massif Games Convention
At numerous panels, experts will discuss the various facets of gaming and esports, the needs and prospects of the industry and its economic and political significance. On February 20, for example, Eileen O'Sullivan, Digital Director of the City of Frankfurt,
Chris Brown, Digital Creative Director Territory Studio, and Alexander Schlicher, Founder and CEO Fansea GmbH, will talk about immersive technologies as a bridge between reality and the digital world: "Mixed Reality - a new reality? The launch of the Apple Vision Pro glasses casts a big shadow ahead." Pia Büßecker and Gian Luca Vitale, founders of the young Frankfurt start-up metagame, will also be talking to Pascal Tonecker, Director of Enterprise Solutions at Frankfurt-based global player Crytek, about development opportunities in Hesse and the future opportunities and risks of tapping into new sectors.
On E-Sports Day on February 21, Sebastian Schmalz, Project Manager Brand Partnerships & Licensing at Porsche, Fiona Schröder and Thorsten Frahm, Founder CycleCafe, and Timm Jäger, Managing Director of Eintracht Tech GmbH, will be among those exchanging ideas. Also on February 21, the qualifying race for the Virtual Hero - Eurobike Champion will be a world premiere; the virtual race will be broadcast live from the Massif Central. On February 22, the focus will be on the potential of the games industry as a location factor for Frankfurt.
Under the topic "More than FIFA, Sims and Fortnite?", Stephanie Wüst, Head of the Department of Economics, Law and City Marketing of the City of Frankfurt, Jan Klose, Co-Founder and Managing Director at Deck13 Interactive GmbH and Chairman of the Board of the Game Area Hessen location initiative, will discuss with Prof. Will Weber from Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences. Will Weber from Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences.
The entire program can be viewed online at: www.massifgamesconvention.de/programm
