The cozy game Tiny Bookshop by Cologne-based studio neoludic games has won the award for Best Debut at the German Computer Game Award 2026 (Deutscher Computerspielpreis). The award ceremony took place on April 29 in the historic Herkulessaal of the Munich Residenz, where the German games industry celebrated this year’s most creative and innovative productions.

Photo by Lichtwerk Fotografie/DCP

Founded by CGL alumni Raven Rusch, David Wildemann, Maurice Andreas, and Charlotte Zapfe, neoludic games was previously nominated in two categories: Best German Game and Best Debut. With its warm and charming take on the dream of running a traveling bookshop, Tiny Bookshop ultimately secured the jury award for best debut title.

Another game with strong Cologne Game Lab connections was also among this year’s nominees: Oddsparks: An Automation Adventure by Massive Miniteam, a studio likewise founded by CGL alumni, was nominated in the categories Best Family Game and Best Graphic Design.

The German Computer Game Award annually honors outstanding computer and video games developed in Germany. The award is organized by the Bundesregierung, represented by the Bundesministerium für Forschung, Technologie und Raumfahrt, together with game – Verband der deutschen Games-Branche. The 2026 edition was supported by the Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Digitales.