Market for Game Apps Grows by 30 Per Cent in 2016: Germany

The German games market experienced significant growth in 2016, driven primarily by the rapid expansion of the mobile gaming sector. The industry saw a 30 percent increase in sales for smartphone and tablet game apps, reaching 409 million euros. This growth trajectory is underscored by a two-year performance trend, which saw sales in this specific segment rise by approximately 70 percent since 2014.

The broader digital games market in Germany also reached a notable milestone in 2016, with total sales for computer and video games—including PC, console, handheld, and mobile platforms, as well as online network fees—surpassing two billion euros for the first time. This represents a 7 percent increase over 2015 figures. While software and network services performed strongly, the hardware sector, including consoles and peripherals, experienced a 15 percent decline, totaling 747 million euros. Despite these shifts, the total market volume remained stable at 2.9 billion euros.

User engagement data highlights the widespread adoption of mobile gaming, with 17.3 million people in Germany playing on smartphones and 11.5 million on tablets. Daily usage also saw an upward trend, with 8.1 million smartphone users and 3.9 million tablet users engaging with games on a daily basis.

These findings are based on data compiled by the market research institute GfK, utilizing a methodology that includes an ongoing consumer panel of 25,000 individuals representative of the German population. The analysis covers the German market for the 2016 calendar year, providing insights into purchasing and usage habits across various digital gaming segments.