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.
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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.
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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.
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The industry is supported by a robust talent pipeline from over 50 higher-education institutions, with development hubs concentrated primarily in Berlin and Hamburg.
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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.
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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.
Insights
01
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.
02
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.
03
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.
04
The industry is supported by a robust talent pipeline from over 50 higher-education institutions, with development hubs concentrated primarily in Berlin and Hamburg.
05
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.
06
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.