Keen Interest in Gaming Game Consoles Expected at the End of the Year

The German games industry anticipates significant growth in the console market heading into the end of 2015, driven by strong consumer interest and a robust pipeline of blockbuster software releases. Data indicates that 800,000 individuals in Germany intend to purchase a new game console, with an additional 3 million consumers expressing potential interest. This represents a 10 percent increase in purchase intent compared to the previous year, with particularly high engagement among the 40-to-49 and 30-to-39 age demographics.

The market outlook is supported by the transition of the current console generation, which has established itself as a central hub for home entertainment, including gaming, streaming, and media playback. Industry experts attribute this momentum to the release of high-profile titles that are exclusive to the latest hardware, such as the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Wii U. Because many new games are no longer backwards-compatible with older systems, developers are increasingly leveraging the advanced computing power of current platforms to create more complex and visually sophisticated experiences, further incentivizing consumers to upgrade their hardware.

These findings are based on market research conducted by GfK, which utilizes an ongoing, representative survey of 25,000 consumers in Germany alongside a dedicated consumer panel. This methodology provides a comprehensive view of digital game purchasing and usage habits. The data underscores the continued success of the latest console generation, which previously drove a 31 percent increase in hardware revenue in 2014, reaching 774 million euros. With 249 million euros in revenue generated during the first half of 2015, the industry remains optimistic that the year-end holiday season will sustain this upward trajectory.