GAMEDEV & XR MEETUP THURINGIA
MENTogether + Meetup in the new Game Lab
On May 28, 2025, the eighth GameDev & XR Meetup Thüringen took place – this time in collaboration with MENT – Mediennetzwerk Thüringen e.V. and the Bauhaus Gamesfabrik Weimar. For the first time, the community gathered at the brand-new Game Lab of Bauhaus-Universität Weimar – and what a night it was!
Discussion & Impulse: The Future of Games in Thuringia
The evening was inspired by the media policy position paper from MENT. Together, we explored the current state of the Thuringian games industry: what’s working, what needs improvement, and how the region can support more creativity, innovation, and collaboration.
Indie Playtesting & Community Showcase
Participants had the chance to playtest indie games developed in Thuringia and present their own projects. Whether student prototype or commercial production, the feedback was honest, constructive, and always curious.
The atmosphere? Warm, open, and full of energy. Developers, students, founders, and creatives came together to connect, play, and talk about their visions for the local game dev scene.
A New Home for Games
A highlight of the evening was the opening of the new Game Lab at Bauhaus-Universität Weimar. A great space designed for playful experimentation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and creative game development in Weimar.
Insights from the Community
A huge thank you to Gianluca Pandolfo for preparing the Game Lab with such attention to detail, and to MENT for their enthusiastic support. And of course, thanks to everyone who came, shared, played, or simply brought their interest and curiosity.
Thanks to everyone who took part in our Mentimeter survey! The results offer a fresh snapshot of how Thuringia’s creative and game development communities view their current opportunities and challenges. You can find the full results on our Discord!
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.
