German Intelligence Sets Up Gamescom Booth to Recruit Gamers

Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service (BND) is scouting for new recruits among attendees at Gamescom 2026. The agency deployed a career booth to attract candidates with technical backgrounds, specifically targeting specialists in cybersecurity and hacking.

BND representative Julia Linner explained that a notable overlap exists between gamers and the talent the intelligence service seeks. According to Linner, players are tech-savvy, accustomed to stepping into different roles, completing assigned tasks, and persistently pursuing designated goals.

At the booth, visitors who meet the agency’s requirements are invited to take a five-stage test. The assessment measures practical skills and problem-solving abilities related to cybersecurity and hacking.

The BND also has its own video game, BND-Legenden: Operation Blackbox. The agency previously used Gamescom for recruitment in 2025, where it showcased the game and allowed visitors to play it directly at the venue.

Source: iXBT.games