Slight Jobs Increase in German Computer and Video Games Industry

Key insights

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Employment snapshot

The German computer and video games industry saw modest employment growth and company expansion.

As of April 1, 2016, the industry employed 12,839 individuals across 510 companies. This represents a 1% increase in staff and a 14% rise in active firms compared to the previous year.

Blurred lines

Industry boundaries are blurring as more companies both develop and publish games.

There was a 14% increase in companies that engage in both development and publishing activities.

It's like a restaurant that used to only cook, now also delivering its own food directly to customers.

Converging models. The number of companies that both develop and publish games increased by 14%, totaling 122 firms.

122

Number of companies that both develop and publish games.

Increase in hybrid companies: 14%

Untapped potential

Germany's potential as a production hub remains underutilized compared to international peers.

The German Games Industry Association (BIU) argues that Germany is underperforming compared to countries like the UK, France, and Scandinavia. Targeted production support could significantly boost employment levels.

Growth opportunity. Germany's potential as a production hub is underutilized compared to international peers, with state-backed funding suggested to increase employment.

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Summary

The German computer and video games industry experienced modest employment growth and significant market expansion throughout 2015 and early 2016. As of April 1, 2016, the sector employed 12,839 individuals across 510 companies, marking a 1 percent increase in staff and a 14 percent rise in the number of active firms compared to the previous year. When accounting for broader industry roles—including retail, journalism, and academic positions—the total number of jobs supported by the sector reached 31,293, a 4 percent year-over-year increase.

The industry is characterized by a high concentration of developers, with 319 companies specializing in development, representing the largest segment of growth. A notable trend is the convergence of business models, as the traditional divide between developers and publishers continues to blur; more developers are engaging in direct sales via digital platforms, while publishers are increasingly building internal development capabilities.

Market performance remains strong, with the German games market growing by 4.5 percent to reach 2.81 billion euros in 2015. Key revenue drivers included virtual products and extra content, which saw an 18 percent increase, and the emerging hybrid toys market, which surged by 53 percent. Despite this growth, industry leadership suggests that Germany’s potential as a production hub remains underutilized compared to international peers like the UK and France. The findings, compiled by the German Games Industry Association (BIU) using the Games Industry Directory and GfK consumer panel data, emphasize that targeted production support could potentially triple or quadruple current employment levels.