Introducing SAZ ...

... first with this video, which was made in 2021 on the occasion of our 30th anniversary. Design & Animation: Daniel Bahr | Speaker: Hans-Peter Stoll | Music: Hans-Peter Stoll | Sound Design & Mix: Franziska Untraut

The "Game Designers Association" (SAZ) represents the interests of game designers to the public as well as to publishers and other work users. It supports game designers and campaigns for a stronger recognition of games as a cultural property in our society.

The SAZ is a strong community with many advantages for its members. Founded in 1991, it now represents more than 600 members in Germany and abroad. Although the main area of activity is in Germany, the SAZ is gaining an international character through its multitude of members from other countries. SAZ-Italia which was founded in 2017 and SAZ-Nederlands are good examples of this.

The diverse fields of activity of the SAZ: The counseling of our members and the promotion of the exchange of experience are an important focus. This includes, if required, negotiations with publishers for fair contractual conditions. As co-organizers of the Game Designers Meeting in Göttingen, we are promoting platforms that bring together game designers and game publishers. On the political side, we advocate a fair framework for cultural activities as well as copyright, tax and social security laws. In addition, we support further training activities for the professionalization of our members.

Anyone who supports the objectives of the SAZ can become a member. However, a full membership with voting rights is only available for game designers, i.e. you must have at least one game published or can furnish prototypes. If you are not (yet) a designer, you can become a sponsoring member or support our work with donations.

An overview of the successes, the actions and the development of the SAZ can be found here.