German Games Market Slows in 2024, but Online Gaming Services See Double-Digit Growth
Berlin, 11 March 2025 – The German games market, which has experienced significant growth in recent years, has slowed its pace in 2024. According to game – The German Games Industry Association, sales revenue from games, games hardware and online gaming services totalled 9.4 billion euros, a decrease of 6 per cent compared to the previous year. However, the market for online gaming services saw a double-digit increase of 12 per cent, reaching 965 million euros.
The overall market decline was mainly driven by a decrease in purchases of games for PCs, consoles and smartphones, as well as in hardware purchases. On the other hand, revenue from online gaming services continued to grow, highlighting the dynamic and innovative nature of the games industry. Felix Falk, Managing Director of game, explains, “After years of frequently strong growth, the German games market took a breather in 2024. This was due in part to the fact that there were fewer game hits last year and that the demand for game consoles has normalized again.”
Despite the overall decline, the market for games continues to be a major contributor to the German economy, with a growth of over 50 per cent since 2019. Falk predicts that the market will continue to grow in the near future, thanks to the upcoming release of new game consoles and blockbuster titles.
Sales Revenue for Games Decreases by 4 per cent
Sales revenue for games on PCs, consoles and mobile devices reached 6.5 billion euros in 2024, a decrease of 4 per cent compared to the previous year. The decline was mainly driven by a 17 per cent drop in revenue from game purchases, which totalled 921 million euros. However, revenue from in-game and in-app purchases remained strong, generating around 4.6 billion euros in sales, a decrease of only 3 per cent. This submarket has seen significant growth in recent years, with more and more games offering additional content for players to customize or enhance their gaming experience.
Demand for Game Consoles Normalizes
Sales revenue for games hardware decreased by 10 per cent overall, reaching approximately 2.9 billion euros. The decline was largely due to a 26 per cent drop in revenue from game consoles, which totalled 807 million euros. However, this was expected after a peak in demand in 2023, when all current models became continuously available to consumers. On the other hand, sales revenue for game console accessories increased by 5 per cent, reaching 391 million euros. The market for gaming PCs and laptops remained stable, with a revenue of 540 million euros, only 1 per cent less than in 2023. Accessories for gaming PCs saw a slight decline of 4 per cent, with a revenue of 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 data collection methods provide a unique insight into the German market for computer and video games. YouGov Shopper conducts an ongoing survey of 25,000 consumers representative of the German population to gather data on video game purchasing and usage habits.
Game – The German Games Industry Association
Game is the association of the German games industry, representing the entire video game ecosystem, from development studios and publishers to esports event organizers, educational institutions, and other related entities. They are co-organizers of gamescom, the world’s biggest event for video games, and a shareholder in various related organizations. As a central point of contact for media, political and social institutions, they provide comprehensive expertise on market development, game culture, and media literacy. Together, they aim to make Germany the heart of gaming worldwide.
Press Contact:
Martin Puppe
game – The German Games Industry Association
Friedrichstraße 165
10117 Berlin, Germany
Phone: +49 (0)30 2408779-20
Email: martin.puppe@game.de
www.game.de
X: @game_verband
Facebook.com/game.verband
Instagram: game_verband
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.