German Games Market Grows in First Half of 2025

Key insights

6 takeaways

01
The German games market generated 4.6 billion euros in revenue in the first half of 2025, marking a 4% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
02
Games hardware was the primary growth driver, with revenues rising by 17% due in part to the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2.
03
Online gaming services saw a 4% revenue increase, while spending on games themselves declined by 2% to 2.7 billion euros.
04
Approximately 44 million Germans (two-thirds of the population) now view video games as the primary form of entertainment for their age.
05
Interest in mobile gaming is significant, with 29% of Germans over age 16 (about 20 million people) expressing interest in gaming handhelds due to their flexibility and compactness.
06
Gamescom 2025, which features a record number of exhibitors and increased exhibition space, is scheduled to take place in Cologne and online from August 20 to 24, 2025.

Summary

The German games market returned to growth in the first half of 2025, generating 4.6 billion euros in revenue. This represents a 4 percent increase compared to the same period in the previous year, signaling a recovery following a prior period of decline. The market data, compiled by YouGov, Nielsen IQ, and Sensor Tower, highlights a significant 17 percent surge in hardware sales, largely driven by the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2. Online gaming services also saw a 4 percent increase, while revenue from games software experienced a slight decline of 2 percent, totaling 2.7 billion euros.

Beyond financial metrics, the industry maintains a strong cultural presence in Germany. Approximately 44 million people, or two-thirds of the population, view video games as the primary form of modern entertainment. The medium is increasingly viewed as an intergenerational activity, with 85 percent of players noting that games offer content suitable for all age groups. Furthermore, there is growing consumer interest in portable gaming, with over 25 percent of Germans expressing interest in handheld devices due to their flexibility and compact design.

The methodology for these findings involved a representative online survey of 2,171 individuals aged 16 and older, conducted between July 22 and July 25, 2025. Market data was derived from ongoing consumer tracking of purchasing and usage habits, alongside retail panel data and app analysis. These insights were released by the German Games Industry Association ahead of the 2025 gamescom event, which continues to serve as a major indicator of both domestic and international market health.