Sales of Game Apps Grow by 23 Per Cent in the First Six Months of 2020: Germany

Key insights

6 takeaways

01
Sales of game apps in Germany grew by 23% in the first half of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019.
02
Revenue from game apps and in-app purchases reached 1.1 billion euros in the first six months of 2020, marking the first time the sector surpassed the one-billion-euro threshold in a half-year period.
03
In-app purchases, primarily driven by free-to-play titles, accounted for nearly all of the total revenue generated by game apps.
04
Approximately 35% of German players reported playing more than usual during the COVID-19 pandemic, while 27% played more frequently with family and friends.
05
According to survey data, 28% of players stated that video games helped them cope with the challenges of the pandemic.
06
The market data for this report was provided by the research firm App Annie, with additional consumer behavior insights gathered from a YouGov survey of 2,027 participants.

Summary

The German games industry experienced significant growth in the mobile sector during the first half of 2020, driven largely by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sales revenue for game apps on smartphones and tablets reached 1.1 billion euros, marking a 23 percent increase compared to the same period in 2019. This milestone represents the first time the industry surpassed the one-billion-euro threshold within the first six months of a calendar year. The vast majority of this revenue was generated through in-app purchases within free-to-play titles, reflecting a sustained consumer preference for monetized additional content.

The surge in mobile gaming was closely linked to changing social behaviors during the pandemic. According to representative survey data, 35 percent of German players reported gaming more frequently than usual, while 27 percent increased their social gaming activity with friends and family. Furthermore, 28 percent of respondents indicated that video games served as a vital tool for coping with the challenges of the crisis.

The market analysis relies on financial data provided by the research firm App Annie. Additionally, consumer behavioral insights were derived from a YouGov Deutschland GmbH survey conducted between July 27 and August 1, 2020, which included 2,027 participants aged 16 and older. These findings underscore the growing integration of mobile gaming into the daily lives of the German population and highlight the sector's resilience and expansion during a period of global social disruption.