Gaming industry rebounds from sales decline
The German gaming market is experiencing a resurgence, with a 4% increase in revenue during the first half of 2025, reaching approximately €4.6 billion. This growth follows a slight revenue decline seen in 2024, where the total market revenue dropped 6% year-on-year to €9.405 billion.
The main drivers of this growth include cloud gaming and subscription services, which saw a significant 12% increase in 2024, reaching €965 million. This shift towards service-based gaming consumption indicates a move away from traditional hardware and full-price game sales, which declined in 2024.
Mobile gaming remains a dominant segment, having reached a record €3 billion in sales revenue in 2024. This growth is primarily driven by free-to-play titles monetized through in-app purchases, which account for 98% of revenue. Despite a slight drop in player numbers, mobile remains the most used gaming platform in Germany.
The average age of gamers has increased to 39.5 years, with the majority (79%) of gamers being older than 18. A survey conducted from mid-May to early June, which included 1209 people in Germany aged 16 and over, revealed that 52% of respondents occasionally or frequently play video or computer games.
Gaming is a mass phenomenon in Germany, with 58% of gamers playing less than two hours a day, and only a small circle (7%) playing more than five hours a day. The survey also found that 28% of gamers prefer to play online with others.
The gaming community is getting older, with no specific age demographics provided in the survey. Game CEO Felix Falk stated that games are now something for the whole family, with examples of games like Mario Party and Doom.
Gamescom, the world's largest trade fair for computer and video games, is expected to set a new record with over 1,500 exhibitors from 72 countries. The exhibition space will increase by 3,000 square meters to 233,000 square meters. Gamescom takes place next week in Cologne under the theme "Games - Perfect Entertainment" with the opening show on Tuesday evening.
Last year, 335,000 people attended Gamescom, with many cosplayers dressed in colorful costumes as game characters. The proportion of gamers has increased over the years, from 42% in 2015 to the current 52%.
Gamescom traditionally serves as a key event to showcase upcoming games, platform innovations, and emerging trends that can bolster market growth. Given the growth in cloud gaming and subscriptions, Gamescom 2025 is likely to highlight these segments, alongside new mobile game releases and innovations addressing shifting consumer preferences. The event may also serve as a critical platform for industry discourse amid the ongoing structural challenges facing the German games industry, including adapting to evolving business models and regulatory environments.
In summary, while the German gaming market faced a contraction in 2024, the first half of 2025 shows renewed growth primarily fueled by digital services, mobile gaming, and subscriptions, with Gamescom 2025 expected to reinforce these trends.
People who enjoy gaming are not limited to a specific age demographic, as the survey revealed that 52% of respondents aged 16 and over in Germany occasionally or frequently play video or computer games. Additionally, sports enthusiasts might also find interest in Gamescom 2025, as it is expected to emphasize emerging trends in cloud gaming and subscriptions, areas with significant growth in the German gaming market.
