Australia is thus taking on the role of official partner country and realizing the largest Australian joint stand, with all Australian states jointly showcasing their games industry. Australia is home to a rapidly growing development sector, with indie and mobile development studios leading the way, delivering numerous critically acclaimed and commercially successful titles to a global audience. The Australian government has recently committed to introducing extensive funding for locally based games companies, further supporting the growth and expansion potential of the industry. All of this makes the country an ideal partner for gamescom 2022, both in terms of market potential and industry focus. As gamescom`s partner country, Australia will represent international exhibitors onsite and online from August 24-28, 2022.

Hon Paul Fletcher, Australian Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts: "The Morrison Government is supporting the Australian games sector with our landmark 30 percent digital games tax incentive. Australia`s partnership with gamescom 2022 is further proof that we can excel in this $250 billion industry worldwide."

Felix Falk, CEO of the Game Association, said, "Australia has strong ties to the European games industry and is a great partner country for gamescom 2022. Like Australia in the Asia-Pacific region, Europe - and Germany in particular - is an important hub for the games industry and a fast-growing location for games. The close cooperation between Australia and Europe will additionally support this positive development. And both gamescom and gamescom asia are the perfect events for this."

Ron Curry, CEO IGEA: "With the introduction of the Digital Games Tax Offset and generous government incentives, Australia is definitely open for business. We have some of the greatest talent in the world already doing amazing work here, and we look forward to sharing that with the world, but also encouraging the world to bring their businesses to Australia."

Gerald Böse, CEO Koelnmesse: "We have used the past few years to further develop gamescom digitally into the leading international event for the gaming community. With the return of gamescom to the fairgrounds, we are pleased to continue our internationalization strategy there as well. Part of this strategy are the annually changing partner countries. We are therefore all the more pleased about the first-time partnership with Australia."

Australia @gamescom

A large number of different Australian games companies will be represented in the Australian Pavilion in the Business Area at gamescom 2022. The joint booth will host a diverse delegation of companies reflecting the broad landscape of the Australian games industry. In addition to well-known Australian games companies, indie and start-up studios will also be represented. In addition to these key players and employees of the Australian games industry, we also expect high-level political representatives at gamescom 2022.