Central Europe

The number of games companies and employees in Germany continues to grow

Published

4 years ago

August 12, 2022

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The upswing in the German games industry continues: significant increases in the number of German games companies and employees in 2021 are being followed up by further growth in both figures. There are currently approximately 786 companies in Germany that are involved in the development and marketing of computer and video games or in one of these two areas. This is 5 per cent more than in 2021. These are the figures released today by game – the German Games Industry Association, based on data collected by gamesmap.de. A majority of these companies (392, down by 3 per cent) are active in both development and publishing. 358 games studios focus solely on the development of games for PCs, games consoles and mobile devices. The number of these companies exhibited particularly strong growth, rising by 14 per cent compared to the previous year. The number of companies who are active solely as publishers is significantly lower, with just 36 such companies in Germany (up 13 per cent).

The positive trend in the number of employees has also continued, as the previous year’s 8 per cent growth has been followed up by approximately 3 per cent growth in the core market. This brings the total number of people employed in the development and marketing of games in Germany to 11,242. Differences in the growth rates underscore the degree to which the establishment of numerous smaller companies is driving the current growth trend in the German games industry: whereas the number of games companies in the core market has increased by 26 per cent over the past two years, the rate of growth in the number of employees during this same time span has been lower, at just under 12 per cent. Following a decline in the previous year, the games industry’s extended labour market also recovered somewhat: the estimated number of people employed here increased by nearly 6 per cent to 17,048. This extended labour market includes people employed by service providers, retailers, educational establishments, the media and the public sector in connection with the games industry. In total, the German games industry currently therefore secures more than 28,000 jobs.

The upswing in the German games industry continues: the increase of 26 per cent in the number of companies in just two years shows that Germany is on the right track as it strives to improve its attractiveness as a games location. Many of the positive impacts of the relatively new federal support programme for the games industry have yet to show up in the statistics, because most games are the result of a multi-year development process. Even so, growth in the number of companies and in their employees already offers us evidence of the industry’s high level of confidence that this upswing is going to last, particularly if policymakers continue to take the decisions necessary to continue this course,’ said Felix Falk, Managing Director of game.

Another year of strong growth for the German games market

Sales revenue from computer and video games and associated hardware is currently experiencing even stronger growth than that enjoyed by numbers of companies and their employees: following a historic 2020 performance with a 32 per cent jump in sales, sales revenues in the German games market continued to rise significantly in 2021 with a total of approximately 9.8 billion euros in sales revenue generated by games, games hardware and fees for online gaming services – an increase of 17 per cent compared to the previous year. Sales revenue from computer and video games grew by 19 per cent to about 5.4 billion euros, due among other things to increases in in-game and in-app purchases. Sales revenue from games hardware has also grown, by 18 per cent overall to about 3.6 billion euros. Demand for games consoles and gaming PC accessories was particularly strong.

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.

The market data is based on statistics compiled by the GfK Consumer Panel and data.ai. The methods used by GfK to collect data on Germany’s digital games market are unique in terms of both 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 video game purchasing and usage habits, as well as a retail panel. The data collection methods provide a unique insight into the German market for computer and video games.

game – the German Games Industry Association

We are the association of the German games industry. Our members include developers, publishers and many other games industry actors such as esports event organisers, educational establishments and service providers. As a joint organiser of gamescom, we are responsible for the world’s biggest event for computer and video games. We are an expert partner for media and for political and social institutions, and answer questions relating to market development, games culture and media literacy. Our mission is to make Germany the best games location.

Central Europe

NOVOMATIC Once Again Recognised as an “Austrian Leading Company”

Published

1 day ago

February 16, 2026

Wladimir P.

novomatic-once-again-recognised-as-an-“austrian-leading-company”

NOVOMATIC AG has been recognised as an “Austrian Leading Company” for 2026/2027 by the independent excellence platform Leitbetriebe Austria.

NOVOMATIC has been a certified leading company since 2013 and this prestigious status has now been confirmed once again following a comprehensive screening. The evaluation process, which takes place every two years, ensures that certified companies meet the highest quality standards. Decisive criteria include sustainable corporate goals such as innovation, growth and targeted employee development. As one of Lower Austria’s largest employers and a substantial taxpayer, the international gaming technology group makes a sustainable contribution to Austrian value creation. At the same time, NOVOMATIC is pursuing a long-term ESG strategy that combines economic performance with ecological responsibility and social sustainability.

“Long-term corporate success is based on stability, innovative strength, and a clear sense of responsibility towards employees, society, and the environment. This renewed recertification as a leading company confirms our strategic orientation and our commitment to combining economic strength with sustainable corporate management,” emphasised NOVOMATIC Executive Board Member Stefan Krenn as he received the certificate at the Group’s Lower Austrian headquarters alongside fellow Executive Board Members Ryszard Presch and Johannes Gratzl.

Monica Rintersbacher, Managing Director of Leitbetriebe Austria, also emphasised the significance of the award: “For many years, NOVOMATIC has been exemplary in the areas that define a leading company: international technological innovation on the one hand and a clear commitment to its location, employees, and society on the other. With this renewed award, the company is underscoring its role as a stable driving force for the economy and employment in Austria.”

This recertification confirms NOVOMATIC’s position as an economically reliable and responsible company both nationally and internationally.

The post NOVOMATIC Once Again Recognised as an “Austrian Leading Company” appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Central Europe

Gaming Realms expands into Switzerland through tie-up with Swiss Casinos

Published

5 days ago

February 12, 2026

Wladimir P.

gaming-realms-expands-into-switzerland-through-tie-up-with-swiss-casinos

Gaming Realms, the inventor of the distinctive Slingo format, has strengthened its international standing by launching its market presence in Switzerland with top operator Swiss Casinos.

The provider’s renowned Slingo game is now accessible to local players for the first time, offering an engaging gaming experience that combines the thrill of slots with strategy.

Games with demonstrated worldwide success and a large fanbase, like Slingo Sweet Bonanza, Slingo Da Vinci Diamonds, and Slingo Gold Cash, are now accessible to patrons of Swiss Casinos, a top online casino brand in Switzerland.

The latest market entry represents another significant accomplishment for Gaming Realms, as the provider has recently broadened its presence to new areas in Europe.

Mariachiara Lagravinese, Regional Account Manager at Gaming Realms, said: “Entering the Swiss market for the first time marks another milestone in our global growth strategy across regulated markets.

“Swiss Casinos is a renowned operator with a deep understanding of the local landscape, making them the ideal partner to introduce our unique content to Swiss players.”

Patrick Mastai, Managing Director Online Casino at Swiss Casinos, said: “Partnering with Gaming Realms is a testament to our commitment to delivering world-class gaming content to our customers.

“Their Slingo titles have a proven track record of global success, and we are proud to be the first operator offering these games in Switzerland. Titles like Slingo Sweet Bonanza and Slingo Gold Cash provide exactly the kind of high-quality, engaging variety our players have come to expect from us, and we look forward to a successful partnership.”

The post Gaming Realms expands into Switzerland through tie-up with Swiss Casinos appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Central Europe

Hölle Games Partners with DAZN Bet

Published

6 days ago

February 11, 2026

Wladimir P.

Hölle Games has expanded its footprint in the German online gaming market through a new partnership with DAZN Bet (daznbet.de), an innovative sports betting and entertainment platform.

This collaboration marks a significant milestone in Hölle Games’ ongoing growth within Germany. Having already established a strong presence in the regulated market, the addition of DAZN Bet as a distribution partner ensures that even more players will have access to Hölle Games’ portfolio of visually striking, character-driven slot titles.

Through daznbet.de, German players can now enjoy a broad selection of Hölle Games’ top-performing titles, which blend classic slot inspiration with contemporary visuals and smooth, intuitive gameplay. Developed in Germany, Hölle Games’ content is known for its attention to detail, local market resonance and commitment to player entertainment.

Robert Lenzhofer, CEO of Hölle Games, said: “We’re incredibly proud to see our games featured on DAZN Bet, a brand that is revolutionizing how fans engage with sports and entertainment. This partnership is another step in strengthening our local presence and making our uniquely German-crafted slots more accessible to players nationwide. At Hölle Games, we take great pride in combining creativity with compliance — building experiences that resonate with players while meeting the highest regulatory standards.”

Daniel Berthold, EVP Growth Markets at DAZN Bet, said: “We’re thrilled to enhance our offering with Hölle Games’ impressive portfolio. Their content is a perfect match for our mission to deliver high-quality, engaging, and locally relevant entertainment to the German market. We’re confident our players will enjoy the unique craftsmanship that Hölle Games brings to the table.”

The partnership underlines Hölle Games’ commitment to strengthening its relationships with key regulated operators in Europe and reinforces DAZN Bet’s reputation for delivering diverse, premium gaming content tailored to local preferences.

The post Hölle Games Partners with DAZN Bet appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.