German Games Market Experiences Slight Slowdown in 2024, But Still Shows Strong Growth Since 2019
Berlin, 11 March 2025 – The German games market, which has seen a tremendous growth of over 50 per cent since 2019, experienced a slight slowdown in 2024. According to game – The German Games Industry Association, sales revenue from games, games hardware and online gaming services totaled 9.4 billion euros, a decrease of 6 per cent compared to the previous year.
While the overall market showed a decline, the market for online gaming services saw a double-digit increase of 12 per cent, reaching 965 million euros. This segment includes categories such as fee-based subscription services, cloud-based games, and functions for online multiplayer gaming and saving game progress.
Felix Falk, Managing Director of game, explains, “After years of strong growth, the German games market took a breather in 2024. This was due in part to a decrease in popular game releases and a normalization of demand for game consoles. However, the market for online gaming services continues to demonstrate the industry’s dynamic and innovative strength. Along with the upcoming release of new game consoles and highly anticipated titles, we anticipate a renewed overall growth in the near future.”
Game Sales Revenue Declines by 4 Per Cent
Sales revenue from games for PCs, consoles, and mobile devices totaled 6.5 billion euros in 2024, a 4 per cent decrease from the previous year. This was mainly due to a 17 per cent drop in revenue from game purchases, which totaled 921 million euros. However, the market for in-game and in-app purchases remained strong, generating around 4.6 billion euros in revenue, just a 3 per cent decrease from the previous year. This submarket has shown significant growth in recent years, with more titles offering additional content such as “skins” and season passes.
Game Consoles Experience Normalization in Demand
Sales revenue from games hardware decreased by 10 per cent overall, reaching approximately 2.9 billion euros. The various segments within this category showed different levels of decline, with the most significant decrease seen in game consoles, which reached 807 million euros, a 26 per cent decrease from the previous year. However, this decline was expected after 2023, which saw a catch-up effect from consumers purchasing new consoles after many models had not been consistently available in the market. Sales revenue from game console accessories, on the other hand, saw a 5 per cent increase, reaching 391 million euros. The market for gaming PCs and laptops remained stable with a revenue of 540 million euros, just 1 per cent less than the previous year. Accessories for gaming PCs, however, saw a 4 per cent decrease in revenue, totaling just under 1.2 billion euros.
About the Market Data
The market data is based on statistics compiled by YouGov Shopper, Nielsen IQ, and data.ai (a Sensor Tower company). The methods used to collect data on Germany’s digital games market, including an ongoing survey of 25,000 consumers and a retail panel, provide unique insights into the market.
Game – The German Games Industry Association
Game is the association of the German games industry, representing the entire video game ecosystem, including development studios, publishers, esports event organizers, educational institutions, and other related entities. Game is also the co-organizer of gamescom, the world’s biggest event for video games, and a shareholder in various foundations and organizations related to the gaming industry. As a central point of contact for media, political and social institutions, the association provides comprehensive expertise in areas such as market development, game culture, and media literacy. Together, the goal is to make Germany the heart of gaming worldwide, enriching the lives of all people.
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Game – The German Games Industry Association
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