Serious Games in Healthcare: TK opens the discussion

Gaming as therapy?

For many, it still sounds unusual. But in rehabilitation, prevention, and medical training, serious games have long been more than just a nice add-on. They help train motor skills, motivate patients, and convey complex knowledge in a playful way.

At IFA 2025, Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) wants to explore the opportunities of “Games for Health” – and how digital games could meaningfully support healthcare in the future. While countries like the US and the UK have already integrated health games into their systems, the German market remains hesitant. But why?

In two panels, we’ll join experts to highlight the potential of serious games, present real-world projects and international best practices, and discuss the current challenges. What needs to happen for digital games to become an established part of the German healthcare system? Where do the greatest opportunities lie for patients, healthcare professionals, and the system as a whole?

E-sports will also take center stage: millions of people watch, full careers are being built online – but not all structures are keeping up with the pace.

The focus is on responsibility in digital competition. How can e-sports be designed to support physical and mental health? What is missing for e-sports to be officially recognized as a sport in Germany? And how can we create more fairness and diversity in digital spaces – for example, through initiatives like “Equal E-Sports"?

At IFA 2025, these topics will take the spotlight in two panels with different perspectives.