Game Annual Charts: The Most Successful New Games in Germany in 2023

Key insights

6 takeaways

01
EA SPORTS FC 24 was the best-selling PC and console game in Germany for 2023, consistently ranking in the top three monthly charts following its September release.
02
Hogwarts Legacy secured the second position in the 2023 annual sales charts for PC and console games.
03
Diablo IV, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom rounded out the top five best-selling new releases in Germany for 2023.
04
The Anno 1800: Console Edition was the notable German-produced title to feature in the 2023 annual sales rankings.
05
The annual charts are based on combined physical and digital sales data provided by Games Sales Data (GSD), operated by Video Games Europe.
06
The rankings exclude digital sales for Nintendo titles and do not include data for Baldur’s Gate 3 or Alan Wake 2, as their respective publishers do not participate in the GSD platform.

Summary

The annual charts published by the German Games Industry Association identify the most successful PC and console game releases of 2023 within the German market. The primary objective is to highlight consumer trends and top-performing titles based on sales volume for games released during that calendar year. The data encompasses both physical and digital sales across major platforms, providing a snapshot of the industry's commercial landscape for the period.

The top-selling title for 2023 was the football simulation EA SPORTS FC 24, which achieved consistent high-ranking performance following its September release. The remainder of the top five included Hogwarts Legacy in second place, followed by Diablo IV, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Notably, the German-developed Anno 1800: Console Edition also secured a position within the broader annual rankings, representing a significant domestic success.

The methodology relies on data aggregated by Games Sales Data, a platform operated by Video Games Europe. The scope of the findings is limited by specific exclusions: digital sales for Nintendo titles via the Nintendo eShop are omitted, and certain high-profile titles, such as Baldur’s Gate 3 and Alan Wake 2, are excluded due to the non-participation of their respective publishers in the data collection platform. These factors should be considered when interpreting the rankings as a comprehensive reflection of the total German market.