German games market grows by 4 percent in the first six months of 2023

German games market grows by 4 percent in the first six months of 2023

•           For 44 million Germans, games are the medium of our time
•           6 in 10 Germans see games as a pioneer for other technologies
•           Two thirds of Germans view jobs in game development as an attractive prospect
•           72 per cent say that Germany should not be dependent on other countries for gaming technologies

Thanks to a large number of blockbuster games and strong demand for game consoles, the German games market returned to growth for the first six months of 2023. In all, online gaming services, games and gaming hardware generated approx. 4.7 billion euros in sales revenue – an increase of 4 per cent compared to the same period in the previous year. The world’s biggest games event will be taking place in person in Cologne and online. The data is based on surveys carried out by the market research companies GfK and Data.ai. Sales revenue from purchases of games for PCs, game consoles and mobile devices grew by 4 per cent, to about 2.7 billion euros. Gaming hardware – a category that includes gaming PCs, game consoles and the corresponding accessories – accounted for revenues of roughly 1.6 billion euros. This equates to a year-on-year increase of 6 per cent compared to the first six months of 2022. One of the growth drivers of the games market in recent years – online gaming services – weakened slightly during the first six months, with this submarket declining by a little less than 1 per cent, to 413 million euros.

‘After the German games market managed to stabilise at a high level in 2022, it returned to growth in the first six months of 2023. The market posted a 4 per cent increase, a significant figure in light of the economic uncertainty that has marked recent months. The many outstanding blockbuster games during the first six months played a particularly large role in these results. Other notable factors were continued strong demand for game consoles, which can now finally be better satisfied,’ says Felix Falk, Managing Director of game – The German Games Industry Association and co-organiser of gamescom.

‘World class games’: a majority of Germans view games as the medium of our time

‘World class games’ – the theme of this year’s gamescom says it all: games have long since become a medium of international culture. All around the globe, more than 3 billion people play computer and video games – across all borders. And a clear majority of Germans share this view: 8 out of 10 (81 per cent) say that games are understood all around the world. 71 per cent believe that games bring people together all over the globe. Nearly as many Germans say that cultural differences play no role when it comes to games (73 per cent). And for roughly 6 in 10 Germans (62 per cent), games are the medium of our age – this equates to more than 44 million people.

For 6 in 10 Germans, games are pioneers for other technologies

It is not only in the cultural sphere that games are building bridges – they also link a diverse range of fields technologically. The gamescom trend ‘Upgrade for reality’ sums up this development nicely – and millions of Germans agree. In fact, 6 in 10 of them (60 per cent) say that games are forerunners for other technologies. 62 per cent believe that other fields and industries benefit technologically from games. Even at the individual level, computer and video games have proved to be real bridge-builders in the world of technology, with some two thirds of Germans (68 per cent) saying that they have been able to learn digital skills especially quickly thanks to games. These attitudes also entail certain expectations for Germany as a location for the game industry: 72 per cent of those surveyed said that we should not be dependent on other countries for game technology like virtual reality, gamification and artificial intelligence here in Germany.

Two thirds of Germans view jobs in game development as an attractive prospect

Another gamescom 2023 trend: ‘Games studios are the new dream factories.’ Approximately two thirds of Germans (66 per cent) do more than simply agree with this statement: in fact, they believe that games’ interactivity has raised the quality of the stories they tell to an entirely new level. That is why 68 per cent of Germans believe that games and their stories also inspire films and series. The German games industry has become extremely appealing as a result, with over two thirds of Germans (67 per cent) viewing jobs in game development as an attractive prospect. According to nearly 6 in 10 Germans (59 per cent), jobs in this field are growing ever more important.

About gamescom

gamescom is the world’s largest event for computer and video games, as well as Europe’s largest business platform for the game industry. In 2023, gamescom will be held from Tuesday, 22 August, to Sunday, 27 August, in Cologne and online. gamescom is jointly organised by Koelnmesse and game – the German Games Industry Association.

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 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.