Central Europe
German games market in 2023: strong development in turbulent times
The German games market once again grew significantly overall in 2023: sales of games, games hardware and gaming online services rose by 6 per cent to around 9.97 billion euros. This is a significant increase after sales had only risen by 1 per cent in the previous year. The biggest growth drivers include games consoles and their accessories as well as in-game and in-app purchases. Despite the large number of top-class titles, which increased sales of games purchases by 4 per cent, the number of games sold fell by 8 per cent at the same time. There were also significant declines in some cases for gaming PCs and laptops. The data on the German games market is based on surveys conducted by the consumer panel services GfK and data.ai. The different developments in the individual market segments also show that 2023 was a year of contrasts for the games industry as a whole: on the one hand, more high-calibre titles were released within twelve months than ever before. On the other hand, some sales expectations were not met, particularly due to this abundance of outstanding games. Combined with generally high interest rates and a slowdown in the investment market, a wave of consolidation began worldwide, as a result of which developer studios are still being downsized or even closed and jobs are being cut.
‘The German games market continues to grow, but a close look at the data shows just how challenging these times are for game companies,’ says Felix Falk, Managing Director of game. ‘This is particularly true for small to medium-sized companies in Germany, most of which have only thin capital cover and therefore feel the impact of the tougher investment climate especially quickly. In such turbulent times reliable and internationally competitive political solutions are needed more than ever.’
Major differences between categories of games hardware
Sales revenues from various categories of games hardware developed very differently last year. Game consoles were among the most important growth drivers, posting a revenue increase of 44 per cent to break the billion-euro threshold, with total revenues of 1.1 billion euros. Demand for game console accessories was similarly robust, if at a slightly lower level. Sales revenues in this area jumped 32 per cent, to 374 million euros. In stark contrast, gaming PCs registered a clear decline as revenues from PCs and laptops marketed specially for games dropped by 17 per cent, to 547 million euros. Accessories for gaming PCs – including special input devices, graphic cards, etc. – fared only slightly better, with revenues falling by 7 per cent, to just under 1.3 billion euros.
‘Last year was the first year in a long time in which all current game consoles were easily available on the market,’ says Felix Falk. ‘The huge revenue gain in this category in 2023 shows how great the pent-up demand was among players. On the other hand, there was a clear drop in sales revenues from gaming PCs. After investing in PCs and laptops during the Covid-19 pandemic, a lot of video game players seem to be well-equipped for the moment.’
Sales revenue from games rises and gaming online services stabilise at a high level
Sales revenue from games developed positively overall in 2023. Across all platforms, purchases of PC and console games generated 4 per cent more revenue than in the year before. Total sales revenues in this area increased to around 1.1 billion euros. Considering the many high-quality game releases, however, this rise seems rather low. Indeed, the number of games sold actually dropped by 8 per cent. This reveals that the growth in revenue here is attributable exclusively to higher average prices. Last year, many video game players appear to have purchased high-quality titles shortly after their release and not waited for discounts. Also, because many of the top titles of 2023 are especially time-intensive, they didn’t leave room for players to acquire a larger number of games. In contrast, the market development for in-game and in-app purchases was significantly more positive, showing a revenue increase of about 6 per cent, to 4.7 billion euros. From an upgrade in a player character’s armour, to a season pass with a lot of additional content, to completely new campaigns, it has become ever more common for the playing time of a game to be extended or individualised through additional content. This trend continued in 2023. In-game sales revenues contribute significantly to covering continuously rising game development costs.
After a number of years of strong growth, sales revenues from online gaming services stabilised at a high level. Among the categories in this segment are fee-based subscription services that provide access to a large selection of games, cloud-based gaming, online multiplayer functions and the ability to save game progress in the cloud. Examples of these services include EA Play, Nintendo Switch Online, PlayStation Plus, Xbox Game Pass and Ubisoft+. Revenue from these services fell by 1 per cent in 2023, to 860 million euros.
The post German games market in 2023: strong development in turbulent times appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
CT Interactive has unveiled its newest partnership with Betano in the Czech Republic, representing a significant advancement in the firm’s continuous global growth plan.
As a result of this collaboration, a selection of 30 exciting titles is now offered on the Betano.cz platform, enhancing the online gaming experience for players in the area. The collection includes several of CT Interactive’s most favored games, such as Win Storm, Wild Clover, 40 Treasures, Purple Fruits, and The Big Chile.
Through this launch, CT Interactive maintains its emphasis on offering content suited to local player tastes, reinforcing its dedication to delivering high-quality entertainment. The inclusion of these titles is anticipated to improve Betano Czech Republic’s collection, providing players with a varied and engaging gaming atmosphere.
“We are thrilled to extend our reach into the Czech market, which holds significant growth potential,” said Martin Ivanov, Chief Operating Officer at CT Interactive. “Our forward-thinking approach and understanding of local player preferences will be key as we work to redefine the online gaming experience in this region. We believe this partnership will create exciting opportunities for players and set a new benchmark for the industry in the Czech Republic.”
Monika Zlateva, Chief Commercial Officer at CT Interactive, added: “Building on our long-standing and strong relationship with Kaizen Gaiming across multiple markets, this collaboration enables us to deliver a fresh content tailored to player preferences. We are confident that CT Interactive’s titles will resonate with the audience and contribute to the overall gaming experience on Betano.cz.”
The post CT Interactive Partners with Betano.cz for Live Rollout appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Bragg Gaming Group has strengthened its presence in the German iGaming market by partnering with StarGames to offer its popular, high-performing slots. Through this partnership, Gamomat games and other titles powered by Bragg are available on the StarGames website.
“At Bragg, we are proud that many of our most popular games have become part of the offering on StarGames – one of the best-known and licensed online arcades in Germany. This collaboration stands for trust, quality, and a shared passion: gaming experiences driven by responsibility and dedication, the Company said.
“Our Powered by Bragg program delivers Gamomat to StarGames, a leading German development studio based in Berlin, which has been creating games since 2008 that are played and appreciated around the world. More than 150 Gamomat titles are now available online, Powered by Bragg – across 35 countries and in 27 languages. From the very beginning, Gamomat has followed one guiding principle: ‘Passion for games and people.’ Gamomat games combine timeless design, strong themes, and modern game mechanics – and this combination finds its perfect home on StarGames.
“StarGames is among the leading brands in the regulated German online gaming market. Together, we offer players a legal, safe, and entertaining experience – featuring many of Gamomat’s most popular titles, including:
Ramses Book – an Egyptian classic with cult status.
Crystal Ball – magic, free spins, and excitement in multiple versions.
Sticky Diamonds – dazzling gems, free spins, and high winning potential.
La Dolce Vita – the sweet life on the reels, complete with Mediterranean flair.
“These and many other slots from Gamomat and other studios distributed by Bragg are firmly established in the StarGames portfolio and enjoy great popularity among German players. Our cooperation with StarGames is built on shared values: fairness, transparency, and responsibility. We share the vision of creating sustainable, high-quality online entertainment for German players. Through this partnership, we can make our portfolio accessible to a wide audience – in an environment that stands for quality and integrity.”
The post Bragg Gaming Group Partners with StarGames appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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.
-
ACMA6 days agoACMA Blocks More Illegal Online Gambling Websites
-
Aurimas Šilys6 days ago
REEVO Partners with Betsson Lithuania
-
CEO of GGBET UA Serhii Mishchenko6 days ago
GGBET UA kicks off the “Keep it GG” promotional campaign
-
Canada5 days ago
Rivalry Corp. Announces Significant Reduction in Operations and Evaluation of Strategic Alternatives
-
Latest News5 days ago
TRUEiGTECH Unveils Enterprise-Grade Prediction Market Platform for Operators
-
Central Europe6 days ago
NOVOMATIC Once Again Recognised as an “Austrian Leading Company”
-
Acquisitions/Merger5 days ago
Boonuspart Acquires Kasiino-boonus to Strengthen its Position in the Estonian iGaming Market
-
Firecracker Frenzy™ Money Toad™5 days ago
Ancient fortune explodes to life in Greentube’s Firecracker Frenzy™: Money Toad™
