The German game market grew 4% (year-on-year) in the first six months of 2025, following a decline in revenue in 2024.
That’s according to a new report by Gamescom co-organiser, the German Games Industry Association (game), published on August 12, 2025, and based on data from YouGov and data.ai.
The report found that games, gaming hardware, and online gaming services generated €4.6 billion ($5.4 billion) in the first half of 2025, representing a 4% increase in growth YoY.
For the same period in 2024, revenue generated was €4.28 billion ($5 billion). At the time, game noted this was a 6% decline YoY from 2023, and the first for the market following years of growth.
According to game’s report, hardware saw the biggest revenue increase, “propelled, among other things, by the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2.” Where this segment of the industry was the hardest hit in 2024, down 8% YoY to €1.2 billion, revenue grew by 17% in the first half of 2025.
Online gaming services revenue, which covers PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass, for example, continued to grow (up 4% YoY), having been the only revenue segment to see an increase (25% YoY) for the same period in 2024.
Games revenue, however, continues to drop, though the 2% YoY decline to €2.7 billion ($5.5 billion) we’ve seen in the first six months of 2025 is half that of 2024’s 4% YoY drop.
Other highlights from the report include the statistics that two in three Germans view games as “the entertainment of our age,” while one quarter of Germans are interested in gaming handhelds.
“The German games market’s growth in the first six months of 2025 sends a powerful signal for the start of gamescom,” said Felix Falk, managing director of game. “This year’s event has also set a new record for the number of exhibitors.
“Combined with the increase in exhibition space and the many top companies expected to attend this year’s event, gamescom is set to drive even more growth in the German and international games market.”
Last month, another report by game, revealed that the number of companies and employees in the German games industry has fallen 4% in the last year, “after years of growth.”