German market for computer and video games grows by 10 per cent in the first half of the year

• Computer and video games generated 971 million euros in turnover during the first six months of this year in Germany
• Data on the usage of fee-based online networks was included for the first time
 
Berlin, 8 September 2016 – The German market for computer and video games got off to a good start in 2016: in the first six months of this year, the turnover generated by games rose by 10 per cent, to 971 million euros. During the same period of the previous year, turnover amounted to 884 million euros. The BIU, the German Games Industry Association, announced this information today based on data collected by market research institute GfK. This 971 million euros in turnover includes games purchased in the form of both physical media and downloads, as well as subscription fees and virtual goods and additional content purchased with microtransactions. For the first time, the data also included the money players spent on fee-based online networks such as PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live Gold.
 
‘The market for computer and video games has shown impressive growth during the first half of 2016; its dynamic development has completely outpaced all other cultural and media-based markets in Germany,’ says BIU Managing Director Dr Maximilian Schenk, summarising recent developments.

Continued strong growth in virtual goods and additional content

Sales of games for PCs, consoles, handheld and mobile devices such as smartphones and tablet computers will continue to account for the majority of revenue in the industry: 521 million euros in turnover was generated in this segment during the first half of 2016. This is a slight decrease (2.4 per cent) compared to the first six months of 2015 in a segment that depends particularly heavily on individual hit titles and bestsellers. Last year, game sales generated 534 million euros in turnover. In contrast, the virtual goods and additional content segment – where purchases are made by microtransaction – continued its highly positive growth. In the first half of 2016, turnover in this segment rose by 20 per cent, to 317 million euros. Free-to-play games are a major component of this segment; gamers can play these titles free of charge, spending money on additional levels or customised character designs only as desired. The game subscriptions segment also demonstrated extremely positive growth. Here, turnover increased by 26 per cent, to 82 million euros. German players’ expenditures for fee-based online networks such as PlayStation Plus and Xbox Live Gold were also included in the data for the first time. 21 million euros in turnover was generated in the first half of 2015; during the same period in 2016, that figure was 51 million euros – an increase of 144 per cent.

Note on market data:

The data used is based on statistics compiled by the GfK Consumer Panel. The methods used by GfK to collect data on Germany’s digital games market are unique in terms both of their quality and their global use. They include an ongoing survey of 25,000 consumers who are representative of the German population as a whole regarding their digital game purchasing and usage habits, and also a consumer panel. Its data collection methods give a unique insight into the German market for computer and video games.

About the BIU:

The BIU, the German Games Industry Association, is the association of the German computer and video games industry. Its 26 members are developers, publishers and suppliers of digital games. Together, they represent over 85 per cent of the German market. The BIU is, for example, the organiser of gamescom. As an expert partner for media and for political and social institutions, the BIU answers all questions on the topic of digital games.

Press contact:

Martin Puppe
BIU – Bundesverband Interaktive Unterhaltungssoftware e. V.
Charlottenstraße 62
10117 Berlin
Germany
Tel.: +49 (0)30 2408779-20
Fax: +49 (0)30 2408779-11
Email: puppe@biu-online.de
Twitter: @game_eV
Facebook.com/BIUeV

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