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Computer Game Publishing in Germany - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Ashkan Salim Ashkan Salim Frankfurt, Germany Last Updated: June 2024 WZ J58.21DE

Revenue

€1.2bn

2024

€1.2bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

€XXX.Xm

Employees

3,037

Businesses

205

Wages

€XXX.Xm

Computer Game Publishing in Germany industry analysis

The video game publishing industry has seen extremely positive sales growth over the past five years. On average, sales growth amounted to 6.7% per year. While some larger marketers have suffered a drop in sales as a result of the shift away from physical copies and towards download options, more smaller industry players have been able to establish themselves on the market. Many consumers' interest in video games also increased dramatically during the lockdown phases. Many consumers spent more time at home due to contact restrictions and severely limited leisure opportunities, particularly in the first half of 2020 and 2021. Many turned to video games in search of entertainment. The growth trend is expected to continue in 2024 with an increase in sales of 1.5% to 1.2 billion euros.
The increasing performance and variety or availability of end devices is also having a positive impact on the industry. Video games can increasingly be played on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, making it easier for the general public to access such games. Against this backdrop, game apps are currently enjoying increasing popularity. Furthermore, ever more elaborate and technically complex games can be played on computers and consoles. Advancing digitalisation means that the group of consumers of digital games is constantly growing.
The industry is expected to see a further increase in sales in the period up to 2029. Turnover is expected to grow by an average of 2.4% per year to 1.3 billion euros. The development of virtual and augmented reality games as well as the trends towards cross-platform games, mobile gaming, cloud gaming, e-sports, free-to-play and subsequent monetisation through in-game purchases will have a significant impact on the industry in the coming years. The number of companies should also increase, as smaller marketers in particular, who are also active as developers, are likely to benefit from government funding and thus have the opportunity to make their mark on the market.

Trends and Insights

  • The advancing digitalisation means that the group of consumers of digital games is constantly growing. This means that video games can increasingly be played on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, making it easier for the general public to access such games.
  • Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies are expected to gain further importance in the next five years. VR and AR games can be sold at a higher price due to the immersive experience.
  • In an interregional comparison, the Central Region is home to the most companies in the sector. The opportunities for cooperation with media companies and developer studios attract companies in the sector to the region.
  • Many major industry players have lost market share in recent years. This was due to the fact that the German subsidiaries of the groups mainly focused on selling games on physical discs, which has become much less popular in recent years.

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  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 6.7 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €1.2bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

The increasing spread of smartphones and tablets makes it easier for casual gamers to access digital games

  • Since 2019, the industry has continued to develop its offering. The growing popularity of video games is primarily due to the increasing use of apps, which goes hand in hand with the widespread use of smartphones and tablets. Game apps are now established in society and make it easier for broad sections of the population, especially older people, to access digital games.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Computer Game Publishing in Germany
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

VR and AR enable the creation of more exciting gaming experiences and the development of new sources of revenue

  • Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies are expected to become increasingly important in the video game publishing industry over the next five years. VR and AR offer publishers a wide range of opportunities to generate revenue.

Biggest companies in the Computer Game Publishing in Germany

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue (€m)
2024
InnoGames GmbH
143.0
Nintendo of Europe GmbH
116.8
Microsoft Deutschland GmbH
75.4

To view the market share and analysis for all 9 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Computer Game Publishing in Germany
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Console games, In-app and in-game purchases and Computer games. Console games is the largest segment of the Computer Game Publishing in Germany.

Trends and Insights

The release of new consoles drives up sales of console games

  • Console games are digital games that are played on consoles such as Xbox, Nintendo Switch or PlayStation.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

The industry is involved in the publishing of games software for various platforms such as consoles and computers. Its activities also include the online publication of video games and the provision of copyright services for game software manufacturers. The publishing of operating software and the manufacture and sale of consumer electronics devices are not part of the sector's activities.

What's included in this industry?

Console gamesIn-app and in-game purchasesComputer gamesAccess to fee-based online networks

Companies

InnoGames GmbHNintendo of Europe GmbHMicrosoft Deutschland GmbH

Purchase this report to view all 9 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

BUGESPORTSEXERGAMESHANDHELDIN-GAME PURCHASEMASS-MULTIPLAYER ONLINE ROLE-PLAYING GAMEPHYSICS ENGINE

Industry Code

WZ 2008

WZ 58.21 - Computer Game Publishing in Germany

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

The advancing digitalisation means that the group of consumers of digital games is constantly growing. This means that video games can increasingly be played on mobile device...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies are expected to gain further importance in the next five years. VR and AR games can be sold at a higher price due...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

In an interregional comparison, the Central Region is home to the most companies in the sector. The opportunities for cooperation with media companies and developer studios a...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each region in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Many major industry players have lost market share in recent years. This was due to the fact that the German subsidiaries of the groups mainly focused on selling games on phy...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

By focusing on free-to-play gaming, InnoGames generates stable revenues. This model has proven successful as it allows the games to reach a wider audience than traditional pa...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of InnoGames GmbH's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Nintendo of Europe GmbH's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Microsoft Deutschland GmbH's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 6 additional companies

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for InnoGames GmbH, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Nintendo of Europe GmbH, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Microsoft Deutschland GmbH, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description, key data and performance trends for 6 additional companies

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

Consumer spending in the leisure sector as a whole is an indicator of the importance of competitive offerings. In 2023, consumer spending on leisure activities, culture and e...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

The prices for new video games can be set quite high, which increases the profit margin. Because the target group is highly interested in new releases, the willingness to pay...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Computer Game Publishing industry in Germany in 2024?

The market size of the Computer Game Publishing industry in Germany is €1.2bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Computer Game Publishing in Germany industry in 2024?

There are 205 businesses in the Computer Game Publishing industry in Germany, which has grown at a CAGR of 5.2 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Computer Game Publishing industry in Germany grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Computer Game Publishing industry in Germany has been growing at a CAGR of 6.7 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Computer Game Publishing industry in Germany over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Computer Game Publishing industry in Germany is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Computer Game Publishing market in Germany?

The biggest companies operating in the Computer Game Publishing market in Germany are InnoGames GmbH, Nintendo of Europe GmbH and Microsoft Deutschland GmbH

What does the Computer Game Publishing in Germany include?

Console games and In-app and in-game purchases are part of the Computer Game Publishing industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Computer Game Publishing in Germany?

The company holding the most market share in Germany is InnoGames GmbH.

How competitive is the Computer Game Publishing industry in Germany?

The level of competition is high and increasing in the Computer Game Publishing industry in Germany.

Related Industries

Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

View all industries in Germany

Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in Germany include:

  • German Federal Statistics Office (Destatis)
  • European Statistics Office (Eurostat)
  • United Nations Comtrade

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.