The Ninth Meetup

On August 27, 2025, the ninth GameDev & XR Meetup Thüringen took place – this time hosted by JENA Digital at the Innovation Hub in the heart of Jena. The evening brought together developers, students, and entrepreneurs for a night of inspiration, exchange, and hands-on playtesting.

Talks & Impulses: Innovation and Inclusion in Game Development

The event kicked off with two thought-provoking talks from the regional games scene.
Hendrik Lober, recently awarded the Thuringian Startup Grant, presented his startup Project GG – a research-based system designed to analyze game mechanics, reduce development risks, and make design processes more efficient. His insights into data-driven design sparked lively discussions about how science and creativity can come together in modern game production.

Next up, Stefan Wilhelm, CEO of Inclusive Gaming GmbH, shared his fascinating journey toward making video games accessible to blind and visually impaired players. His talk, “The World in New Perspectives,” highlighted the importance of co-creation with the community and showed practical steps developers can take to make their games more inclusive – proving that accessibility is not just a niche topic, but an opportunity for innovation.

Playtesting & Community Vibes

After the talks, the focus shifted to hands-on playtesting. Many Participants showcased their latest game projects and prototypes, inviting others to test and share feedback. From early point & click game concepts about bugs from GooseGirlGames and platformers to stroy-driven pixel games, the variety of projects demonstrated the creative momentum of Thuringia’s game development scene.

The open atmosphere encouraged spontaneous conversations, networking, and collaboration ideas – true to the spirit of the Meetup: learn, test, connect, and grow together.

A Stronger Community in Thuringia

The ninth edition once again showed how much talent and drive the local GameDev community has to offer. A big thank-you goes out to JENA Digital for hosting the event and to all speakers, developers, and attendees who contributed their energy, projects, and ideas.

The next Meetup is already in the works – so stay tuned, bring your projects, and be part of Thuringia’s growing GameDev & XR community!

Join to the Meetup Group and stay tuned – the next meetup is already being planned. Whether you’re building the next big game, exploring immersive tech, or launching your own startup: there’s always a place for you at the GameDev & XR Meetup Thüringen.

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