GameLab Manager Jeroen Derwort was in The Hague this week for the presentation of a petition to the House of Representatives and the 'Gaming in Parliament' event. As chair of the Dutch Games Association, he works to strengthen the Dutch games sector. In doing so, he also wants to create better opportunities for students aspiring to a future in game development.
On Tuesday 29 September, the petition 'Video games deserve a place in the Netherlands' digital future' was presented to the parliamentary standing committee on Economic Affairs. The organisations involved are calling for sustained attention to games in policies on digitalisation, innovation, the economy, education and culture. They also advocate a more attractive environment for games companies and talent, and recognition of the sector as a regular government discussion partner.
A day later, MPs and policy staff could experience games themselves during 'Gaming in Parliament' at Nieuwspoort. Alongside international titles such as FIFA and Mario Kart, Dutch productions including Hidden Folks, Polders and SCHiM were available to play. A CDA policymaker won the individual competition, while DENK won among the parliamentary groups.
Both initiatives were organised by Videogames Federatie Nederland in collaboration with the Dutch Games Association, HackShield Future Cyber Heroes, Offlimits and Beeld & Geluid. The aim was to demonstrate the economic, cultural and social significance of games and discuss it with politicians.
A healthy games sector directly benefits students: companies that can grow offer better prospects for internships, collaboration and employment after graduation. Jeroen also made contact with Saxion's Creative Media and Game Technologies (CMGT) programme. Strengthening links between education and the games sector supports his efforts to improve opportunities for the next generation of game makers.