game press release: The average age of video game players in Germany rises to over 38 for the first time

The average age of video game players in Germany rises to over 38 for the first time

• Around 6 in 10 Germans play video games
• Women make up 48 per cent of video game players in Germany, and men 52 per cent
• More than three quarters of all video game players in Germany are over 18
• ‘The number of players over 60 has grown by the equivalent of the population of Münster within 12 months’

The average age of video game players in Germany rose to over 38 for the first time. The average in 2023 was 38.2, an increase of four months over the previous year. By way of comparison: ten years ago the average age was 33.6. This continues the trend of previous years: the largest growth among players is in the 60+ age group – the number of Germans over 60 who play video games has grown by an additional 300,000 to 6.4 million within twelve months. One factor in this continuous rise in the average age is that many people who began playing video games in the 1980s and 1990s have remained devoted players as they age. These are the figures released today by game – The German Games Industry Association, based on data collected by the market research company CPS GfK. In total, around three quarters (78 per cent) of video game players in Germany are over the age of 18. Women make up some 48 per cent of players in Germany, and 52 per cent are men.

‘The average age of video game players in Germany continues to rise significantly. This is not least due to the strong growth in the number of so-called silver players: the number of players over 60 has grown by the equivalent of the population of Münster within twelve months,’ says Felix Falk, Managing Director of game. ‘Although the average age of players has been growing for years, the trend still comes as a surprise to many people. The idea of games as a medium for children and young people is a difficult one to shake off. Although this demographic continues to be an important part of the gaming landscape, only a fifth of gamers in Germany are under 18.’

About the market data

The market data is based on statistics compiled by Consumer Panel Services GfK and data.ai. The methods used by CPS GfK to collect data on Germany’s video game market are unique in terms of both their quality and their global use. They include an ongoing survey of 25,000 consumers who are representative of the German population as a whole regarding their video game purchasing and usage habits, as well as a retail panel. The data collection methods provide a unique insight into the German market for computer and video games.

game – The German Games Industry Association

We are the association of the German games industry. Our members represent the entire video game ecosystem, from development studios and publishers to esports event organisers, educational institutions and other related entities. We are co-organisers of gamescom, the world’s biggest event for computer and video games. We are a shareholder in the Entertainment Software Self-Regulation Body (USK), the Foundation for Digital Games Culture, the esports player foundation, devcom and the collecting society VHG, as well as co-host of the German Computer Game Awards. Serving as a central point of contact for media, as well as political and social institutions, we provide comprehensive expertise in areas including market development, game culture and media literacy, and address any inquiries or concerns. Together we are making Germany the heart of gaming worldwide. With games, we enrich the lives of all people.