German market for game apps grows by 31 per cent

• In 2015, game apps generated 315 million euros in sales revenue in Germany
• More than 23 million Germans play games on smartphones and tablets
• Sales revenue from virtual goods and additional content exhibits particularly strong growth

Berlin, 19 April 2016 – Game apps for smartphones and tablet computers are still a hot-ticket item in Germany. Sales revenue from games for mobile devices rose by 31 per cent in 2015, to 315 million euros. By way of comparison, in 2014, game apps generated 241 million euros in sales revenue in Germany. In total, 23.1 million people in Germany who are 10 years of age or older play games on smartphones and tablet computers, as reported today by the BIU, the German Games Industry Association, based on data compiled by market research institute GfK. ‘Game apps are one of the greatest drivers of growth in the computer and video games industry, as well as in the entire mobile ecosystem consisting of smartphones, tablets, app stores and mobile internet,’ says Dr Maximilian Schenk, Managing Director of the BIU.

[quotation cite=”Dr. Maximilian Schenk, Managing Director of the BIU”] “The market for game apps is still relatively new, and a number of games companies from Germany have been able to hold their own in the global market against strong international competitors.[/quotation]
‘The growth market for game apps is particularly vital to Germany as an important location for the games industry. The market for game apps is still relatively new, and a number of games companies from Germany have been able to hold their own in the global market against strong international competitors.’

Sales revenue from virtual goods and additional content exhibits particularly strong growth

Essentially, two market models for game apps have prevailed in recent years. First, like PC and console games, many game apps can be purchased directly for just a few euros. This subsegment declined in 2015, comprising 20 million euros last year. Sales revenue from the other prevailing model – virtual goods and additional content sold in free-to-play games – is significantly higher, however. These titles can be played free of charge; users only spend money to purchase elements such as additional levels or individual designs for their in-game characters. This subsegment of game apps grew by 36 per cent in 2015. Sales revenue from virtual goods and additional content for game apps amounted to 295 million euros last year; in 2014, that total was 217 million euros. Schenk comments: ‘The strong growth in virtual goods and additional content that we’ve been seeing for years is evidence of the high levels of satisfaction with free game apps among consumers. These games are easy to download and can be played free of charge. If players require additional content, they can purchase it quickly and conveniently at a low price. These low barriers to entry make game apps a perfect fit for the high level of comfort and convenience offered by smartphones and tablet computers.’

Note on market data:

This information is based on data 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. The data collection methods provide a unique insight into the German market for computer and video games. Discrepancies between this year’s sales revenue data on game app purchases in 2014 and last year’s data on 2014 are the result of a methodological adjustment.

About the BIU

BIU – Bundesverband Interaktive Unterhaltungssoftware (German Games Industry Association) is the association of the German computer and video games industry. Its 26 members are developers, publishers and providers of digital games, and they represent over 85 per cent of the German market. The BIU is, for example, the sponsor 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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