News has come to light (via Dot Esports) that Branchenverband Interaktive Unterhaltungssoftware (BIU), a German group representing digital entertainment, has made 10 claims to try and force the German government to take games more seriously.
BIU, as described on their website, is an "organisation that officially represents the German computer and video games industry."
"Its 26 members are developers, publishers and providers of digital games, and they comprise over 85 per cent of the German market and approximately 55 per cent of the employees in the German games industry. The BIU organises Gamescom, co-organises the German Computer Games Awards and is also involved in numerous other industry conferences and events. As an expert partner for media and for political and social institutions, the BIU answers all questions on the topic of digital games."
"The BIU's main aim is to make Germany a leading global location for the development and production of games. Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Berlin, the BIU is a valuable partner for all of its members, providing them with helpful services and support."
So all of this shows no shortage of ambition from the group then, and their latest move regarding esports is to try and get it recognised as a sport, using representatives from companies like Microsoft and ESL to add weight to their efforts.
Finland has recently recognised esports as a sport, however, previous attempts in Germany have been unsuccessful, so it doesn't seem as likely that the BIU will be successful now. As esports continues to grow, though, this may be a very different story in a few years.