The German games market experienced significant growth in 2020, with overall sales revenue increasing by over 30% due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hardware sales, including consoles and gaming PCs, reached a record high, and subscription services saw a 44% increase in sales revenue.
02
Germany launched a major EU-notified games funding guideline in late 2020, with several studios receiving over one million euros in funding, marking a significant first for the country's games industry.
03
The number of companies in the German games industry increased by 5% for development and publishing companies and 7% for publishing-focused companies in 2021. However, employment in the core market grew by only 8% to 10,906 people, indicating that most new companies are microenterprises.
04
gamescom 2020 successfully transitioned to a digital format due to the pandemic, attracting millions of viewers from over 180 countries and featuring 370 partners across five show formats, with gamescom: Opening Night Live being a highlight.
05
game – the German Games Industry Association, with approximately 340 members including developers and publishers, advocates for improved industry conditions, youth protection, and diversity, and has been climate-neutral since early 2021.
Insights
01
The German games market experienced significant growth in 2020, with overall sales revenue increasing by over 30% due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hardware sales, including consoles and gaming PCs, reached a record high, and subscription services saw a 44% increase in sales revenue.
02
Germany launched a major EU-notified games funding guideline in late 2020, with several studios receiving over one million euros in funding, marking a significant first for the country's games industry.
03
The number of companies in the German games industry increased by 5% for development and publishing companies and 7% for publishing-focused companies in 2021. However, employment in the core market grew by only 8% to 10,906 people, indicating that most new companies are microenterprises.
04
gamescom 2020 successfully transitioned to a digital format due to the pandemic, attracting millions of viewers from over 180 countries and featuring 370 partners across five show formats, with gamescom: Opening Night Live being a highlight.
05
game – the German Games Industry Association, with approximately 340 members including developers and publishers, advocates for improved industry conditions, youth protection, and diversity, and has been climate-neutral since early 2021.