Cologne-Deutz. In August, the exhibition centre at the river Rhine was transformed into a hotspot for the international gaming scene for five days. Visitors could test new games, eliminate high scores, snap up merchandise and take selfies with their favourite e-sports idols. Gamescom once again set new visitor records in 2026, with 36,000 trade visitors and 332,000 computer and video game fans, many of whom were cosplayers in colourful costumes, flocking through the halls.

Controller as an application portfolio

Teamwork and multitasking skills, strategic thinking, a high level of digital literacy and the ability to cope with frustration: regular gamers possess skills that are also of interest to technology companies. And so, numerous companies and organisations once again showcased themselves in the ‘Jobs & Career Area’ to inspire members of the gaming community to start their careers with them.

Since 2022, Rheinmetall has been using the fair as an innovative recruitment platform. This year, a special attraction awaited visitors at the defence group’s stand: a haptic simulator of an off-road vehicle. Visitors sat behind the virtual steering wheel wearing VR headsets, with only the bonnet in view, surrounded by a computer-generated environment that allowed them to experience the sensation of driving an off-road vehicle with all their senses. The crowd was corresponding in large numbers. Meanwhile, visitors who preferred to test their short-term memory could try their hand at a digital memory game featuring product cards of infantry fighting vehicles, transport vehicles, and reconnaissance drones. Discussions about job vacancies, training programmes and career opportunities took place between the stations.

A cross-section of society

“The focus was originally on recruiting IT specialists”, reports Nils-Hennes Over, Recruiting Media and Events Manager at Rheinmetall. However, it has since become clear that the Gamescom audience is significantly more diverse and spans all occupational groups. Female technicians, mechatronics engineers, and administrative staff were just as likely to be found at the fair as female electrical engineers or production staff, ranging from trainees to experienced professionals. “What unites the gaming community is their enthusiasm for technology and complex systems”, says Over. “This openness allows us to reach out to people who had not previously considered a career in the security and defence industry, but whose skills are an excellent fit for the wide range of roles at Rheinmetall”.

Large scope guaranteed

Rheinmetall attracted considerable attention from gamers thanks to its joint campaign with the eSports team of its sponsorship partner, Borussia Dortmund. Fans were invited to a meet-and-greet with the team’s players at the stand, including an autograph session, a photo shoot and a gaming session against the professionals. The team celebrated its greatest eFootball success to date in March when they won the Virtual Bundesliga Club Championship title. Such events increase Rheinmetall’s outreach and strengthen its ties with the gaming and eSports community.

Playing not to loose

Alongside commercial enterprises such as Rheinmetall, the Bundeswehr and the BND are also present in Cologne. The connection between games and the military has a long tradition. As early as 1824, the Prussian War Game revolutionised officer training. This tactical simulation game replaced dry theory, providing valuable knowledge for complex combat situations using maps and game pieces.

Nowadays, almost all of the world’s armed forces use wargames to test strategies in realistic settings. The United Kingdom and the United States are regarded as leaders in this area. Unlike first-person shooter games, however, these simulations are not intended for entertainment purposes, but rather to provide insight. They present participants with strategic dilemmas and encourage them to test possible solutions and hone their ability to make decisions under time pressure. This method has long been an integral part of officer training at leadership academies and Bundeswehr universities, whether analogue, hybrid or digital and supplemented by artificial intelligence. In a risk-free, ‘safe-to-fail’ environment, soldiers gain experience through simulation to prepare them for real-life emergencies.

“What unites the gaming community is their enthusiasm for technology and complex systems. At Gamescom, we can reach out to people who had not previously considered a career in the security and defence industry, but whose skills are an excellent fit for the wide range of roles at Rheinmetall”.

Nils-Hennes Over, Recruiting Media & Events Manager bei Rheinmetall

More than just a gaming fair

At the trade fair, the defence group demonstrated how ‘gamification’ is being implemented at Rheinmetall with its off-road vehicle simulator. Technologies originating from the gaming world are being used in professional training, development and simulation solutions. This offers numerous linking-points. Consequently, Gamescom has become much more than just a computer games trade fair for Rheinmetall; it is also a meeting place for talent, technological enthusiasm and future career prospects.