Influencer Solitaire goes to Gamescom with Democracy at Play!
It has been brewing for some time, but we can finally announce it: our game Influencer Solitaire has been selected for the curated booth “Democracy at Play” by the German Federal Agency for Civic Education (bpb)!
At this year’s Gamescom (August 26–30, 2026), the bpb will present a curated selection of indie games under the theme “Democracy at Play” that address political topics, with a particular focus on democracy. The games on display are intended to illustrate the breadth of engagement with the complex topic of democracy. All the featured games demonstrate how an increasingly politicised industry is addressing topics relevant to democratic education.
Wait, what’s Gamescom? What’s Indie Arena Booth?
Gamescom is the world’s biggest event for computer and video games.
It takes place each year during the last week of August in Cologne, Germany. It is both a trade fair, an exhibition for the general public, and a festival of all things related to gaming.
In short, being selected to exhibit there is a dream come true for an indie game studio.
Now, inside Gamescom, there are several spaces. Among them, the Indie Arena Booth (also co-funded by the Creative Europe programme) is the space devoted to showcasing independent games. This year, 192 developers from 41 countries will show their game in the 2,037.5 square meters of the Indie Arena.
You can discover the full lineup at: https://home.indiearenabooth.de/gamescom2026
What’s Democracy at Play?
Democracy at Play is a stand organized and funded by the bpb, the German Federal Agency for Civic Education, that hosts curated games.
The five games in the next part have been selected for the bpb stand at Gamescom 2026. The Indie Arena Booth’s expert jury drew up a shortlist based on all the applications received from game development studios for the ‘Democracy at Play’ stand. The final selection was then made by the bpb.
The games on display are intended as contributions to a discourse on political education through games, which goes beyond the narrow contexts of serious games and educational games. Instead, the focus here is on entertainment games that can serve as subjects for reflection on how an increasingly politicised industry addresses topics relevant to democratic education.
Note: The games were not commissioned by the bpb and are not funded by the bpb. The bpb is providing the exhibition space and covering the associated costs; however, the bpb is not involved in their development. The descriptions below were provided by the development studios.
Learn more at: https://www.bpb.de/lernen/games/579657/democracy-at-play-das-line-up-auf-der-gamescom-2026/
Cool! What games were selected?
Egglets – The Long 10 Days by wieLuft: ‘A 10-day crisis management simulation. As Eggon’s administrator, you follow absurd orders, manage chaos, and seek truth between news and rumors. Obey commands – or choose humanity? The fate of the Egglets rest in your hands.’
Future? No Thanks! by Molleindustria: ‘Future? No Thanks! is a narrative-driven, open-world adventure set in an ecosocialist utopia. You’re old, bitter, and scheduled for euthanasia. Enjoy your last day in a future that works for everyone but you.’
Influencer Solitaire by YuzuPulse and PixelMedia team: ‘Play your cards and dice well to become an influencer! Start as nobody and choose your actions wisely to climb up the influence ladder.’
Microlandia by Information Superhighway Games: ‘Build a cozy little city on top of a brutally honest economy. Every citizen is simulated, one by one: they work, pay rent, get sick, go broke and turn to crime. Set taxes and policy, win elections, and survive a newspaper that blames you for everything.’
Name Of The Will by Zeitgeist Studio: ‘You are trapped in HOPE, a masked cult where pain is salvation. Every thought is tallied. Every smile is a lie. Conform for happiness, or face your guilt to escape.’
Bonus: Our neighbour will be SOKO 1977: Anti-Terror Task Force by Paintbucket Games for bpb: ‘SOKO 1977: Anti-Terror Task Force is a historical-political deduction game with roguelike elements that transports players to the Federal Republic of Germany in the 1970s – a period marked by social, cultural and political upheavals and conflicts. Taking on the role of the head of a special police task force, players are responsible for identifying terrorist cells and arresting their members, whilst pressure from politicians, the public and the media is constantly mounting.’
Awesome! Can we come say hi?
Yes please! There will always be someone from YuzuPulse at the booth.
You can say hi, try the game, and meet the teams who created the other awesome games selected. We can’t wait to meet everyone!