New German games industry study reveals great dynamics and even greater potential

• Number of games companies in Germany grew by 81 per cent between 2018 and 2024
• German game productions achieve a 5.5 per cent share of the domestic market
• 63 per cent of games companies say that tax incentives would improve competitiveness
• The proportion of women in the German games industry rises to 30 per cent

Berlin, 15 January 2026 – Overcoming multiple challenges, the German games industry grew strongly from 2018 to 2024, thanks in significant part to the introduction of Germany’s federal-level games funding programme. This is the conclusion drawn by game – The German Games Industry Association from the new study ‘Die Games-Branche in Deutschland 2025’ (‘The Games Industry in Germany 2025’), published today. During this period, the number of games companies in Germany leapt from 524 to 948 – a gain of 81 per cent. Company revenues also increased by 22 per cent in this period, to 3.73 billion euros. In parallel, the total number of games company employees grew by 20 per cent, to 14,800, and the proportion of women in the German games industry rose from 25 to 30 per cent.

Despite this strong economic development, the share of German video game productions in the domestic market remains small. Of every 100 euros spent by consumers on video games in Germany, just 5.50 euros go to German games companies. This is partly due to the fact that Germany has been less competitive internationally for many years. Only since the introduction of Germany’s Federal Games Funding Programme has the country begun to catch up, according to the study. The federal funding programme has clearly benefitted the public sector as well, with every euro of games funding in 2023 resulting in around 6.50 euros in gross value added and 2.50 euros in taxes and social security contributions. The additional tax incentives for games announced in the current coalition agreement, which are common practice internationally, could provide a real boost for Germany as a games location: 87 per cent of games companies expect this to provide additional impetus for development, 67 per cent anticipate growth in turnover, and 63 per cent expect improved competitiveness and secure employment. The study was funded in part by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space. It is a project of game and was created by the analytics and consulting firm Goldmedia.

‘As the strong growth of the sector in the last several years strikingly shows, when the framework conditions are right, the games industry delivers,’ says Felix Falk, Managing Director of game. ‘The Federal Games Funding Programme pays off for Germany. But the actual turbo hasn’t even been switched on yet. We can only tap Germany’s full potential as a games location through a reliable mix of games funding and tax incentives. By meeting this international standard, we can take our competitiveness to a new level, giving us the chance to catch up with the top locations worldwide.’

The key data from the study ‘The Games Industry in Germany 2025’ at a glance:

The complete study ” Die Games-Branche in Deutschland 2025″ can be downloaded here [German only]: www.game.de/publikationen/die-games-branche-in-deutschland-2025

About the study ‘Die Games-Branche in Deutschland 2025’

The study was produced by Goldmedia and carried out as a project of game – The German Games Industry Association. It is cofinanced by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), which in May 2025 assumed responsibility for the area of games at the federal level. A central component of the study is an online survey in which 343 games industry companies in Germany took part between 29 April and 15 June 2025.

game – The German Games Industry Association

We are the association of the German games industry. Our members represent the entire video game ecosystem, from development studios and publishers to esports event organisers, educational institutions and other related entities. We are co-organisers of gamescom, the world’s biggest event for computer and video games. We are a shareholder in the Entertainment Software Self-Regulation Body (USK), the Foundation for Digital Games Culture, the esports player foundation, game events and the collecting society VHG, as well as co-host of the German Computer Game Awards. Serving as a central point of contact for media, as well as political and social institutions, we provide comprehensive expertise in areas including market development, game culture and media literacy, and address any inquiries or concerns. Together we are making Germany the heart of gaming worldwide. With games, we enrich the lives of all people.

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