Game Apps Boom Continues

The German games industry experienced significant growth in the mobile sector during the first half of 2015, driven largely by the widespread adoption of smartphones and tablets. The primary thesis highlights that game applications have become the dominant force in the German app market, with revenue increasing by 54 percent to 175 million euros compared to the same period in 2014. This expansion underscores a broader trend of mobile gaming becoming a mainstream entertainment activity for diverse demographic groups.

A key driver of this financial growth is the free-to-play business model. Revenue generated from in-game microtransactions reached 153 million euros in the first half of 2015, marking a 72 percent increase over the previous year. These titles now account for 95 percent of all downloaded game apps, effectively lowering the barrier to entry for casual users and encouraging higher engagement. Consequently, games now represent 75 percent of total revenue generated within German app stores.

The scope of this analysis is focused on the German market, positioning it as the second-largest market for game apps in Europe and the seventh largest globally. The findings are based on data collected by GfK, which utilizes an ongoing, representative survey of 25,000 consumers to track digital purchasing and usage habits. Additional insights were provided through a collaborative report with App Annie, which noted that revenue from game apps in Germany has more than doubled since 2013. These metrics confirm that the mobile gaming sector remains a vital and rapidly evolving component of the broader digital entertainment landscape.