- State parliament engages in computer gaming; FDP advocates for LAN party event.
The Free Democratic Party (FDP) in opposition is planning to organize a LAN party within the North Rhine-Westphalian state parliament to enhance politicians' comprehension of the video game sector and alleviate any apprehensions surrounding it. In a communique obtained by the German Press Agency in Düsseldorf, FDP parliamentary group leader Henning Höne has requested the parliamentary speaker to arrange such an event.
The FDP politician contends that each year, the Cologne computer games trade fair, Gamescom, illustrates the innovative capacity and expansion potential of this market. "I am convinced that a more profound understanding of the digital gaming realm will empower parliamentarians to make more knowledgeable political decisions," Höne wrote in the letter. Previous similar events have taken place in the German Bundestag in 2011 and 2013 with positive outcomes.
At a LAN party, participants assemble in a single location to connect their computers or consoles to the same local area network (LAN) and engage in gaming activities. The term LAN originate from Local Area Network, which refers to a spatially limited computer network.
Video games as catalysts for innovation and growth
Thus, legislators would "get a hands-on experience of what countless individuals find exhilarating daily and what underpins this billion-dollar industry," Höne explained his initiative to dpa. "Gaming is no longer merely a form of amusement – it's a catalyst for innovation, a gateway to new technologies, and an essential employer in NRW." If politicians <
The German video game industry employs around 12,000 people. Although Gamescom is the primary industry event in Germany, German studios contribute minimally to the global landscape. Industry experts advocate for increased federal funding to facilitate German studios' competitiveness in the global market.
According to the industry association Games, the revenue from video games in the first half of 2024 was approximately 4.3 billion euros, marking a downswing for the first time: it was six percent lower than the previous year. Certain studios have already shut down or downsized their workforce.
North Rhine-Westphalia's Minister President Hendrik Wüst has already demonstrated that he lacks no reservations about diving into virtual reality at Gamescom in Cologne: He gave it a go at being a dragon rider on a high-tech seat. "Unfortunately, there's no space for such a thing in my living room – but I comprehend why people find it appealing," he said afterward.
The FDP parliamentary group leader Henning Höne believes that annual events like Gamescom showcase the Innovative capacity and expansion potential of the video games sector. Participants at the upcoming LAN party, organized by the FDP within the North Rhine-Westphalian state parliament, will engage in gaming activities, providing legislators with a firsthand experience of the excitement and economic significance of video games.
