The download purchase of PC and console games reaches the new high in Germany

Von NAG Redaktion

Erfahren Sie in diesem Artikel mehr über die wachsende Beliebtheit des Kaufs von PC- und Konsolenspielen per Download in Deutschland. Der Artikel beleuchtet den Anstieg des Download-Anteils auf 60 Prozent im Jahr 2023 und zeigt die Unterschiede zwischen den Spieleplattformen auf. Außerdem wird betrachtet, wie sich das Kaufverhalten je nach Alter der Spielerinnen und Spieler unterscheidet. Lesen Sie jetzt den vollständigen Artikel!
In this article, learn more about the growing popularity of buying PC and console games via download in Germany. The article illuminates the increase in the download share to 60 percent in 2023 and shows the differences between the game platforms. It is also considered how the buying behavior differs depending on the age of the players. Read the full article now! (Symbolbild/MB)

Games purchase by download as ever more widespread than ever before

A new phenomenon conquers the German Gaming market: In 2023, the proportion of PC and console games bought by download rose to 60 percent for the first time. This means that Games's download purchases continue at a high level, which they have reached since the first Corona year 2020. This was announced by the Game Association of the German Games industry in cooperation with the market research company CPS GfK.

A look at the individual platforms, however, shows significant differences: for PC players, the purchase is widespread as a download with 98 percent. This means that almost all of your games now acquire you in this way. Compared to the previous year, when the proportion was 97 percent, the increase is no longer as large, but the tendency remains clear. In the case of console games, however, the majority prefer the purchase of physical copies. At 60 percent, the games will continue to be sold to data carriers, even if their share has slightly dropped by 3 percentage points.

The choice of the merchant method also depends heavily on the age of the players. In particular, the younger gamers between the ages of 20 and 29 mostly choose to buy by download. They acquire more than 7 out of 10 games (71 percent) for the PC or the console for them. But download is also becoming increasingly popular in older age groups. The 50 to 59-year-olds now buy around 6 out of 10 games (59 percent) as download, compared to the previous year it was still around 53 percent. However, buying physical copies is still the most popular with over 60 year olds. 53 percent of their games acquire them on data carriers, although this proportion has decreased by 12 percentage points.

The Game Managing Director Felix Falk explains: "The download purchase has established itself in the majority of the players and its share continues to rise continuously, albeit as leapshaft as in the pandemic years. Downloads offer a quick and easy way for many. Last year there are some sought-after games like 'Baldur’s Gate or' Alan Wake II 'initially only appeared as digital versions.

The market data is based on surveys by the Consumer Panel Services GfK and Data.Ai. The survey methods provide a unique insight into the German market for computer and video games.

As a association of the German Games industry, the game is the central contact for media, politics and society. Your members represent the entire Games ecosystem, from development studios and publishers to eSport organizers and educational institutions. Together they make Germany the heart of the Games world and enrich the lives of all people with games.