Gaming
Significant increase in the number of games companies in Germany
Judging from growth in the number of games companies, the mood in the German games industry appears to be very upbeat. Once again, the number of companies involved in the development and publishing of computer and video games rose sharply, posting a 20 per cent increase to 749 in just one year. These are the figures released today by game – the German Games Industry Association, based on data collected by gamesmap.de. Game developers are responsible for the lion’s share, with 314 companies currently fitting this description in Germany. A further 403 companies in Germany are active in both development and publishing. There are also another 32 companies that focus solely on game publishing, meaning that they fund the development of games and handle marketing and distribution.
A look at the number of people employed by developers and publishers reveals that most of the new companies are microenterprises and small companies –while the number of employees has grown, it has done so significantly more slowly than the number of companies. In 2021, 10,906 people are employed in the development and marketing of computer and video games. That number marks an increase of 8 per cent within a year. This also shows the positive impact of the wave of new companies here; after all, during the previous year, the number of employees in this field declined. The trend in employee numbers in the larger labour market has been less positive. Whilst employee numbers grew by 5 per cent a year ago, there has been a significant decline recently. The games industry’s extended labour market includes people employed by service providers, retailers, educational establishments, the media and the public sector – sectors that experienced at least some negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as areas that have been put under pressure by changing business models in the games industry. The decline of 11 per cent, to 16,115 employees, is therefore correspondingly stark. Consequently, the games industry in Germany provides a total of approximately 27,000 jobs.
The German games industry is increasingly optimistic about the future,’ says Felix Falk, Managing Director of game. ‘This is due not only to a new federal funding programme but also to other governmental efforts to support the games industry that include Germany’s state governments. For the first time, the conditions in which German games companies operate are competitive with those enjoyed by their international competitors. The wave of new companies being established in the games industry highlights the huge potential Germany offers for digital industries and as a business location. To ensure that we can take full advantage of this potential, we need further improvements in conditions in a variety of areas, including finance, start-ups, skilled personnel, research, regulations and digital infrastructure, to ensure that we can stay abreast of international developments. That is why it will be essential to see how Germany’s games strategy can be invigorated and advanced in concrete terms during the next legislative period – to ensure that the current upswing continues.’
German games market: big jump in sales revenue in 2020
The German games market recorded a strong jump in sales revenue in the Covid-19 year 2020: total sales revenue of around 8.5 billion euros was achieved in computer and video games and associated hardware, as already reported by game. This is an increase of 32 per cent compared to the previous year. Sales of more than 3.2 billion euros were registered with games consoles, gaming PCs and the corresponding peripheral equipment. This is an increase of 26 per cent compared to 2019. The submarket for computer and video games saw even stronger growth, with revenues of 5.2 billion euros achieved through game purchases, in-game and in-app purchases, subscriptions and charges for online services. As a result, this part of the market managed to grow by 36 per cent compared to the previous year.
About the market data
The online directory gamesmap.de records developments in the German games industry on an ongoing basis. game continuously calculates the industry’s employment situation in Germany using detailed industry observations and research, together with appropriate projections and surveys of experts.
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The Gaming industry is growing day by day. It has already become a global entertainment giant. From sweeping open-world quests to quick, addictive mobile games, the industry has expanded into a multi-billion-dollar giant.
The global gaming industry was valued at over £135 billion ($184 billion) in 2023 and is projected to reach £184 billion ($250 billion) in 2030. It is driven by cloud gaming, which eliminates the need for costly consoles, high-speed internet, and immersive technologies like VR and AR. Revenues from VR gaming alone in 2023 exceeded £1.9 billion ($2.6 billion), and the AR gaming business is set to grow at a pace of over 30% annually.
The transition from physical to digital is virtually complete: in large markets, over 90% of games sold today are digital, with downloads, live services, and subscriptions replacing cartridges and discs.
Alternative Ways to Invest in Gaming
The gaming industry is not merely a business of copying the most recent blockbusting release; it’s a rich, diverse ecosystem with several streams of revenue, from historic game publishing to aggressive esports and the burgeoning betting and online gambling sector. Today’s investors are able to access entertainment-oriented and wagering-led segments, each with their distinct risk and reward profiles.
Video Game Development & Publishing
Envision house brands behind the mega-franchises of Call of Duty, FIFA or The Legend of Zelda. These brands have enormous fan bases and generate revenue that stretches far past the initial buy, with in-game purchases, downloadable packs and subscription content keeping gamers engaged and expenditures year-round.
Esports
Esports have now evolved from casual living-room games to multi-million-dollar tournaments streamed live in front of a global audience. Internet gambling on esports competitions is also becoming a niche but growing market, offering a new source of revenue for both organisers and financiers.
Online Betting & Casinos
This segment is focused on convenience, accessibility and growing demand for real-money play. Online gaming sites and casinos are taking advantage of more lenient rules in key markets, so that they now represent a more mainstream and profitable part of the gaming economy.
Spotlight on Online Gambling
Online casinos are no longer merely whirring slot machines; they’re pushing boundaries. Some of the top 20 online casinos have gone beyond traditional slots and table games, incorporating esports betting, skill-based game challenges and interactive live dealer games.
Why does that matter to investors? Easy. It signals flexibility. These platforms are captivating players where they are: at their phones, on streaming websites, and in hybrid entertainment spaces that blur the line between socialising and gaming. This flexibility is what can keep revenue streams consistent even when trends shift.
Why Investors are Paying Attention
The gaming market has something that a lot of others envy: loyal consumers who are spenders on a regular basis. It’s £3 ($5) on a character skin or £36 ($50) on a new game, but the spend is cumulative, and it doesn’t evaporate during poor economies.
And gaming pervades everywhere. A hit title in Japan can find fans in Brazil in days. And for companies, that global reach means multiple streams of revenue and endless room to grow.
Risks in Investment
There is no investment without risk. Regulations change overnight, especially in online gaming. Game developers also come and go with their biggest hit; one flop can jerk their stock price. And in this competitive environment, being new is a never-ending struggle.
Gaming Investment Strategies
Diversify among multiple corners of the sector. That way, you’re not betting everything on one game or one trend. Gaming-focused ETFs deserve a look as well if you enjoy a pre-packaged solution that spreads the risk.
The post Investment Opportunities in the Multi-billion-dollar Gaming Sector appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
The German games market has returned to growth: following a year in which revenue from games, games hardware and online gaming services declined for the first time after many years of growth, the first six months of 2025 have once again seen an increase in sales revenue. 4.6 billion euros in revenue was generated, which equates to an increase of 4% compared to the same period in the previous year.
This was announced by game – The German Games Industry Association at a press conference in advance of the opening of gamescom next week. The sources of this data are the market research firm YouGov and data.ai (a Sensor Tower company). Games hardware enjoyed the biggest increase during the first half of 2025. Propelled among other things by the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, revenues in this area grew by 17%. The online gaming services market segment also increased, by 4%. Games, on the other hand, experienced a small decline of 2%, to 2.7 billion euros.
“The German games market’s growth in the first six months of 2025 sends a powerful signal for the start of gamescom. 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. This year’s theme – ‘Games – perfect entertainment’ – is fully in keeping with this boost, as 44 million Germans view games as the entertainment of our age. And not just for themselves: the vast majority of video game players believe that games are particularly good for bringing people of all ages together. It is yet another way that gamescom will be the perfect place to be,” said Felix Falk, Managing Director of game – The German Games Industry Association, which is a co-organiser of gamescom.
The theme of gamescom 2025 – “Games – perfect entertainment” – reflects the reality in Germany, as was underscored by the findings of a representative survey conducted by the market research company YouGov: some two thirds of Germans consider video games to be the entertainment of our age. This equates to around 44 million people. It is a finding that is also supported by the experiences of the people playing video games. Nearly all of them say that they enjoy playing games (94%), find them entertaining (93%), and see them as a good way to relax (91%). In fact, 86% of video game players say that games put them in a good mood, and 8 in 10 players spend less time thinking about crises or worries thanks to games.
The average age of video game players in Germany is now nearly 40 – and it is continuing to rise. This is because the largest increases in the number of players are in the older age groups. Games have long since established themselves as a medium for all generations. The video game players think so, too: 85% of them say that games offer something for every age group, while 88% enjoy playing with other family members. 79% of players in Germany believe that games can help to bring younger and older people together, and three quarters of players think that playing games together as a family can help people to gain a better understanding of digital media.
The post German Games Market Grows in the First Half of 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
The Avalanche Foundation and Helika, a leading provider of technical and creative solutions for the video games industry, have officially launched their joint video game accelerator program and opened applications for the first cohort.
The newly announced strategic partnership is designed to engage both Web3-native studios and traditional game developers exploring blockchain integration. The accelerator aims to identify and support the next generation of studios building at the frontier of blockchain-based gaming.
The program is focused on product interaction and is designed to discover, support, and fast-track promising studios and projects building on the Avalanche blockchain. It will provide selected projects with unparalleled access to resources, mentorship from industry leaders, technical support, activations, and funding opportunities for qualifying or top-performing teams.
The accelerator is open to seasoned teams building high-quality, engaging experiences across platforms, from mobile to desktop and everything in between. Projects with prior traction or cross-platform aspirations are especially encouraged to apply.
The program will run for 3 months, with virtual onboarding and IRL showcases planned across major gaming and blockchain events.
What selected teams get:
Funding & Resources: $25,000 in initial support and up to $125,000 in additional funding for qualifying or top-performing teams.
Expert Guidance: Mentorship from game veterans, blockchain experts, and industry leaders through group sessions and 1:1 consultations.
Analytics Support: Comprehensive analytics solutions to track performance, improve retention, and optimize monetization strategies.
Blockchain Integration: Dedicated assistance for integrating with the Avalanche blockchain and optimizing technical performance.
Community & Growth: Activations with partner communities and platforms and support in player acquisition, community building, go-to-market strategies.
Helika Advisory Access: Access to specialized experts from Helika’s network for tailored support.
Ecosystem Access: Direct connection to a vibrant network of developers, investors, publishers, and Web3 enthusiasts.
Showcase Opportunities: A final Demo Day event to present games to investors, publishers, and ecosystem partners.
“We are excited to partner with the Avalanche Foundation to create a world-class accelerator for Web3 gaming. Avalanche’s robust and scalable infrastructure makes it an ideal environment for innovative game development. Studios need tools that work, data that matter, and real support from people who understand what it means to build in this space — this accelerator provides all of that, plus a direct line into a powerful Web3 ecosystem,” said Anton Umnov, Founder and CEO of Helika.
“Avalanche is focused on the long game. There’s no shortage of flashy ideas. What’s missing is the support that helps studios turn those ideas into real, playable, scalable games. Avalanche has long been the go-to chain for speed and innovation, and now we’re channeling that energy into the future of gaming, supporting teams who understand the nuance of player experience, community building, and long-term value creation,” said Parker Heath, Ava Labs Gaming Partnerships Lead.
Avalanche plays host to a vibrant lineup of video games, including Off The Grid and Maple Story Universe, all pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in blockchain-powered play. Thanks to its customizable Avalanche L1s, lightning-fast transaction speeds and low fees, developers can tailor unique environments for their games without compromising on user experience.
Helika has become a cornerstone for modern game studios, equipping developers with real-time insights into player behavior, on-chain economies, and engagement metrics. From Proof of Play and Parallel to Nexon, Ubisoft, and Com2Us, Helika’s platform is shaping how developers build, balance, and scale their games in real-time. This accelerator takes that impact further by embedding support into the earliest stages of development when it matters most.
The post Avalanche and Helika Launch New Gaming Accelerator – Applications Now Open appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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