Weakening of growth in German games companies: concern about decreasing trend

Weakening of growth in German games companies: concern about decreasing trend

less growth among employees and fewer new companies: upward trend in the German Games industry weakens

The German Games industry, which has experienced a strong upward trend in recent years, now has a significant weakening. While the number of games companies grown by 15 percent a year ago, growth in the past twelve months was only 4 percent. According to the Game Association of the German Games Branches, the number of companies that develop and market computer and video games in Germany increased to a total of 948. There are now 477 such companies. In addition, 52 games companies focus exclusively on the publication of computer and video games, while 419 companies work both in development and marketing games. Overall, the number of games companies in Germany has increased by 52 percent since 2020.

The number of employees in German games companies continued to develop positively, but with halving growth compared to the previous year. The number of employees in development studios and in publishers increased to 12,408 in the past twelve months, which corresponds to an increase of around 3.5 percent compared to the previous year. In 2023, growth was still 7 percent. This persistently positive trend is initially contradictory in view of an overall declining investment dynamics and large waves of consolidation in the international games industry. Although German games companies are also affected by the current wave of consolidation, the industry was less affected in international comparison. One reason for this is the ongoing projects that are still supported by federal games funding and thus offer stability. In addition, an estimated 20,000 people in Germany work professionally in the area of ​​games, outside of publishing and development. In total, the games industry secures over 30,000 jobs in Germany, including specialists in educational institutions, media, public sector and trade.

"The easy growth of the German Games industry is a remarkable development in view of the hard international wave of consolidation. Games funding plays a decisive role in this. Although the application for the application for the federal government has made it difficult to develop new projects, many German studios were still in funded projects. However, the prospects for the games are unclear if Federal government will not soon ensure internationally comparable funding, ”says Felix Falk, Managing Director of the Game-Association of the German Games industry. "Together with the wave of consolidation, the currently unclear and unable to compete have stopped the strong growth in recent years. The federal government must finally make the funding that has already been promised and clear the way for an ambitious games policy from a single source."

The data for this investigation come from Goldmedia and are based on the entries on GamesMap.de from June 14, 2024. The games industry in Germany includes a wide range of members, including development studios, publishers, eSport organizers, educational institutions and institutions. As a co-organizer of gamescom, the game- Association of the German Games industry is responsible for the world's largest event for computer and video games. The association is also a partner of the USK, the Digital Game Culture Foundation, the eSports Player Foundation, Game Events and the recycling company VHG as well as sponsor of the German Computer Game Prize. Through its role as a central contact for the media, politics and society, the association provides answers to all questions about market development, game culture and media literacy. Together, the German Games industry wants to make Germany the heart of the Games world and enrich the lives of all people through games.