Updated Mar 17, 2026 by game – Verband der deutschen Games-Branche e. V.
Germany is the largest video-game market in Europe and the fifth-largest globally, generating a record €4.4 billion in 2018 with a 9 percent year-on-year growth rate.
The German government supports the industry with €50 million in annual non-repayable grants, which cover 25 to 50 percent of project costs for developers.
The sector comprises approximately 524 game-related firms, including 368 development studios, employing 11,000 staff directly and nearly 28,000 when including ancillary roles.
The industry is supported by a robust talent pipeline from over 50 higher-education institutions, with development hubs concentrated primarily in Berlin and Hamburg.
The annual gamescom exhibition in Cologne is a major international industry driver, attracting 31,300 trade professionals and over 100 million video hits in 2023.
The German ecosystem is defined by a dense network of over 200 development and publishing firms alongside more than 150 specialist service providers, including companies like Deep Silver, Kolibri Games, and Mimimi.
Germany is the largest video-game market in Europe and the fifth-largest globally, generating a record €4.4 billion in 2018 with a 9 percent year-on-year growth rate.
The German government supports the industry with €50 million in annual non-repayable grants, which cover 25 to 50 percent of project costs for developers.
The sector comprises approximately 524 game-related firms, including 368 development studios, employing 11,000 staff directly and nearly 28,000 when including ancillary roles.
The industry is supported by a robust talent pipeline from over 50 higher-education institutions, with development hubs concentrated primarily in Berlin and Hamburg.
The annual gamescom exhibition in Cologne is a major international industry driver, attracting 31,300 trade professionals and over 100 million video hits in 2023.
The German ecosystem is defined by a dense network of over 200 development and publishing firms alongside more than 150 specialist service providers, including companies like Deep Silver, Kolibri Games, and Mimimi.