The fifth Meetup

GameDev & XR Meetup Thuringia #5: Insights, Networking, and Future Visions

On January 29, 2025, the fifth GameDev & XR Meetup Thuringia took place – this time at the STUDIOPARK KinderMedienZentrum in Erfurt, hosted by KIDS Interactive. Around 20 participants gathered to exchange ideas about the latest developments in immersive technologies, discover new projects, and build valuable connections.

KIDS Interactive’s Project Reel

KIDS Interactive kicked off the event with a presentation showcasing numerous XR projects. These projects provided insights into the current state of immersive technologies. However, the sheer number of presentations made it difficult to dive deep into individual topics.

More Depth Through Open Exchange

The subsequent moderated Q&A session created space for in-depth discussions. As seen in the fourth meetup, a lively exchange developed among the participants. Discussions covered not only technological possibilities but also challenges in implementation, the role of education, and economic potentials for Thuringia.

Particularly interesting were the perspectives shared by two representatives from the MENT Mediennetzwerk e.V., who summarized their key takeaways after the meetup:

1. Europe may lag behind the U.S. and China in XR technology, but there is immense creative potential in Central Germany. Universities and companies already provide a strong foundation, and numerous institutions in Thuringia can further support these efforts.

2. Establishing XR competencies early in schools and universities is essential to ensuring the industry’s future viability. Education and business must work together to achieve this goal.

3. Strengthening the connections between various players in the XR and GameDev fields is crucial for long-term synergy. The meetup served as a valuable starting point for this networking process.

Networking und Ausblick

Following the discussion, the meetup transitioned into an open networking session. Attendees enjoyed sandwiches and drinks sponsored by KIDS Interactive – a big thank you to Joerg Michel for organizing this with great attention to detail! In a relaxed atmosphere, participants had the opportunity to connect and exchange ideas for future projects.

The fifth GameDev & XR Meetup Thuringia once again demonstrated how essential direct exchange is for advancing the industry. We look forward to continuing this dialogue in future meetups.

What’s Next?

The next GameDev & XR Meetup Thuringia is already in the works. Stay tuned and join our meetup group to make sure you don’t miss any updates!

A big thank you to everyone who attended – your passion and ideas make this community truly special!

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