Video Game Taxes Posed as GEZ Fees

The ARD Games Network, a collaborative initiative by several German broadcasting stations, was formally introduced at Gamescom 2025 in Cologne. The network, led by SWR, aims to strengthen ARD's focus on gaming and better utilize synergy effects, coordinate projects, and set strategic guidelines for future games projects.

The broadcasting stations involved in the ARD Games Network include SWR, HR, BR, MDR, WDR, and NDR. These stations will exchange information about game development, target groups, and more, through the ARD Games Network, allowing for a more cohesive approach to gaming content.

The inception of the ARD Games Network was driven by the goal of being a future field with the potential to reach new audiences and engage existing viewers more strongly. Baden-Württemberg and Rheinland-Pfalz are German states involved in collaborative initiatives related to digital games and gaming networks, but there is no direct evidence in the search results that specifies which German states will collaborate with the ARD Games Network to jointly produce games.

Bavaria's Minister-President, Söder, announced that Munich should become a central location for the gaming industry. Söder stated that the games industry is the Formula 1 of digitization and that Bavaria will invest heavily to make Munich the German gaming capital. This ambition was further solidified with the announcement that the German Computer Game Award 2022 will be held in Munich.

The first joint project by the ARD Games Network commenced on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at Gamescom in Cologne. The network has a stand at Gamescom where published titles from the broadcasting stations can be played, allowing visitors to experience the collaborative efforts first-hand.

It's worth noting that the final decision on which games to produce lies with the respective broadcasting stations. However, the ARD Games Network provides a platform for these stations to collaborate, share resources, and work towards a common goal: to reach new audiences and engage existing viewers more strongly in the gaming world.

With almost 50 million Germans enjoying gaming in their free time, the potential for growth in the gaming industry is significant. The ARD Games Network aims to capitalise on this potential, making gaming a more integral part of ARD's programming and further enhancing Germany's presence in the global gaming landscape.