Our speakers

International experts from the games industry, politics, academia, culture and business will gather at gamescom congress 2026 in Cologne to explore the social, technological and cultural impact of games from a wide range of perspectives. The first announced speakers already highlight the diversity of the programme: from AI-driven game development and immersive technologies to democracy, education, cybersecurity, mental health, inclusion and social responsibility.

Among the first confirmed speakers are Arjan Brussee, co-founder of Guerrilla Games and former Unreal Engine Director at Epic Games, Petar Dimitrov from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), Carlota Maura James from Europol, as well as representatives from War Child UK, Team FOLON and the Design Museum Munich. Through hands-on case studies and real-world insights, they will demonstrate how games drive innovation, strengthen communities and create impact far beyond entertainment.

gamescom congress is one of the world’s leading conferences dedicated to the potential of computer and video games. In 2026, attendees can once again expect a diverse programme featuring international talks, panels and best-practice examples covering topics such as AI, well-being, immersion, democratic resilience, digital education, accessibility and sustainable innovation. More than 150 speakers are expected to take the stage at the Confex congress centre at Koelnmesse.

Petar Dimitrov (UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency)

One part of refugee life is frequently overlooked: refugees already game - a lot. Petar Dimitrov explores the growing evidence and emerging practice around gaming in contexts of forced displacement. Drawing on research and field pilots from the UN Refugee Agency, the talk examines how gaming can support wellbeing and mental health, strengthen social connection, improve educational outcomes, and foster integration with host communities.

Carlota Maura James (EUROPOL)

Carlota Maura James delves into how Europol turned a public safety challenge into a game kids actually want to play. Cyber Defenders puts children in the role of a police officer on Roblox, solving missions built around real cybercrime scenarios like fraud, identity theft, and grooming. It's a working example of game design used as a tool of public administration, recognised with the European Ombudsman Award for Good Administration and now scaling into schools across Europe.

Arjan Brussee (CEO and founder Immens engine)

Arjan Brussee – who co-created Jazz Jackrabbit, co-founded Guerrilla Games and Boss Key Productions, led Battlefield development at EA, and was Head of Product and Technical Director for Unreal Engine at Epic Games -- talks about his latest project: The Immens Engine. Together with Matthijs Dierckx -- former game journalist now game developer and researcher) -- Brussee will discuss the possibilities of a new AI-first game engine hosted entirely in Europe as an alternative to Unreal and Unity.

Siân Mayhall-Purvis (War Child UK)

If you think charity partnerships are just a one-way street of giving with nothing in return? Think again. Jingle Jam, War Child, and CALM will pull back the curtain on how the two-week Jingle Jam festival unites games, creators and their communities in collective action, and raised £3.5 million in 2025.

Dean Carter and Callum Quick (Team FOLON)

In "The Fallout of Fallout: London: Community, Disability, and UGC" Dean Carter and Callum Quick explore the development and release of one of the largest user generated content projects ever created. Through the lens of Fallout: London, they examine how a passionate modding community evolved into a professional development team, the realities of building a large-scale fan project, and the impact of disability and accessibility on game development.

George E. Osborn and Dominik Swiecicki

The European Commission and EU Member States have established the European Centre for Democratic Resilience, a hub for co-operation that explores how information integrity can be supported across society. George E. Osborn, author of Power Play, will interview Dominik Swiecicki, Senior Analyst at the Swedish Psychological Defence Agency, to examine how games, their communities and the information ecosystem around the medium have been used to project influence.

Caroline Fuchs and Frauke Maria Petry (The Design Museum, München)

The functionality, materials and form of the objects that surround us have a significant impact on our everyday lives. Design has therefore recently become a subject taught in schools. Die Neue Sammlung – The Design Museum at the Pinakothek der Moderne in Munich has developed the game ‘Design in Line’ in close collaboration with teachers, pupils and the agency Playing History.

Raphaela Gaßmann (Fischer, Knoblauch & Co.)

How do you introduce 10,000 employees to a brand-new airport terminal before it's even finished? Raphaela Gaßmann found out first-hand as creative de. At gamescom congress she shares how gamified onboarding turned the launch of Frankfurt Airport's Terminal 3 into an intuitive, engaging experience for a highly diverse workforce.