Strong demand for computer and video games drives significant growth in the German market

• Market for computer and video games grew by 8 per cent in the first half of 2015
• Games for consoles and mobile devices are the most important drivers of growth
• ‘Growth in 2015 may exceed 11 per cent, the level it reached last year’

Berlin, 23 September 2015 – The German market for computer and video games grew strongly in the first half of 2015. Compared to the first six months of the previous year, sales revenue increased by 8 per cent to 863 million euros – the market volume during the same period of the prior year totalled 798 million euros. This information was reported by BIU, the German Games Industry Association, based on data compiled by market research institute GfK.
 
[quotation cite=”Dr. Maximilian Schenk, Managing Director of the BIU”] “In the first half of 2015, the market for computer and video games seamlessly picked up on the strong growth of the year before.[/quotation]‘In the first half of 2015, the market for computer and video games seamlessly picked up on the strong growth of the year before,’ says Dr Maximilian Schenk, Managing Director of BIU. ‘This consistently strong market growth is based on two main pillars: games for the latest generation of gaming consoles, which are in high demand among consumers, and sales of virtual goods and additional content, which are an important driver of growth. The customer-friendly free-to-play model is constantly attracting new users.’

High demand for computer and video games in all sub-segments

Compared to the first half of last year, all three segments of the German computer games market grew within the first six months of this year. Sales revenue from games for PCs, consoles, handhelds and mobile devices increased by three per cent to 534 million euros. The BIU already reported on the development of this sub-segment during gamescom. Now, for the first time, data on the growth in sales revenue generated by microtransactions and subscriptions is available; during the first six months of the year, sales revenue from virtual goods and additional content (microtransactions) totalled 264 million euros – 15 per cent more than during the same period last year. The subscription fees market segment grew to approximately 65 million euros – a significant increase (27 per cent) compared to the first half of 2014.

Solid prospects for the second half of the year

The positive trend during the first six months of this year seems likely to continue in the second half of 2015, according to expert projections. This year for the first time ever, the German Games Industry Association partnered with GfK to conduct a survey of experts regarding the future development of the market. The results indicate that the overall German market for computer and video games will cross the double-digit growth threshold in 2015. If the year continues on this positive track, market growth may even exceed 11 per cent, the level it reached last year – which seems likely considering the number of potential blockbusters scheduled for release during the second half of this year. Schenk comments: ‘Currently, all signs point to positive development similar to what we saw in 2014. If things go well in the second half of this year, we may even see the market exceed the 11 per cent level of growth it reached last year.’

Note on market data:

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.

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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