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.
2025 Gaming in Germany Conference
Evaluation of State Gambling Treaty key topic at 2025 Gaming in Germany Conference
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In two weeks, operators, industry analysts, and legal experts will once again gather in Berlin to attend the 2025 Gaming in Germany Conference. This year’s event will take place on Tuesday, November 11.
Key topic: Evaluation of 2021 State Gambling Treaty
The 2021 State Gambling Treaty (GlüStV 2021) is currently being evaluated by the German federal states, with a final report expected next year.
The outcome of this evaluation will determine to what extent Germany’s iGaming regulatory framework will be adjusted to reflect market realities. Already, it appears that certain things the industry has been clamoring for – e.g., easier game certification – will become a reality.
While the industry will certainly not get everything it wants, the direction of regulatory development could be toward improvement.
Willem van Oort, Founder of Gaming in Germany commented: “This year’s Gaming in Germany Conference is where important discussions will take place on which regulatory goals to pursue. Major stakeholders, including operators, trade associations, and the regulator, are all coming. I think this underscores the importance of our event. Moreover, it is the only conference aimed at the German market where both domestic and international stakeholders show up to connect and share insights and information. If you want to help shape the conversation and meet key stakeholders, Berlin is the place to be.”
Breakout program
In addition to high-level regulatory and policy-related information, the 2025 Gaming in Germany Conference also offers highly practical information on topics such as data compliance, game certification, RG, live casino, eSports, and much more. Breakout sessions will be hosted by trained experts and are highly interactive.
Agenda & registration
The 2025 Gaming in Germany Conference takes place at the DoubleTree Hilton Ku’damm in Berlin – just 100 meters from the magnificent Kurfürstendamm.
The event’s agenda – including breakout program – is available here.
Registration for the 2025 Gaming in Germany Conference is now open.
The post Evaluation of State Gambling Treaty key topic at 2025 Gaming in Germany Conference appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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SiGMA Europe is one of the most significant events in the iGaming industry. This year, the event is taking place in Rome and will bring together over 30,000 attendees, 1200 sponsors and feature four stages with 550+ top speakers.
On November 05, in partnership with MelBet Partners & Affiliates, former MMA legend and World Champion Kamaru Usman will join the event as a special guest. At booth 5067G attendees of SiGMA Central Europe have the chance to take photos, hear insights and what it takes to rise to the top on a global stage.
During the conference, there will be two activities available for guests at MelBet’s booth:
Punch Challenge. Anyone can come to the booth on November 4 and test their punching power. The person with the strongest punch will have the honour of competing against Kamaru Usman himself.
Want to get exclusive merchandise and take a photo with the MelBet Partners & Affiliates championship belt? Visit the booth. Follow MelBet’s official Instagram account and take a picture with the belt. Those who post a story with the championship belt and tag MelBet will automatically be entered into a drawing for exclusive UFC-themed merchandise.
There will also be a private party, Triumph of the Gladiators, exclusively for the partners and representatives of MelBet Partners & Affiliates, which Kamaru himself will attend. This evening will be an epic event, where history and modernity merge into one.
The post MelBet Partners to Bring UFC Champion Kamaru Usman to SiGMA Central Europe appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Central Europe
Award-Nominated EGT Digital Brings Sweet Spins, Smart Tech, and New Thrills to SiGMA Central Europe 2025
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EGT Digital will showcase the upgraded Sugartime 1000, available for visitors to try in demo mode, and offer a sneak peek at the upcoming Hermes Fortunes 2000 at SiGMA Central Europe, Rome (4 – 6 November, booth 2050). Both titles build on fan-favorite originals, offering players thrilling upgrades, bold visuals, and massive win potential.
The company also kicks off SiGMA Rome 2025 celebrating five B2B Award nominations for innovation and growth:
- B2B Industry Leader Italy 2025
- AI Pioneer in Platform Innovation 2025
- Fastest Growing Aggregator 2025
- Best Game Provider Italy 2025
- Best Bonus Engine 2025
Sugartime 1000 – double the flavor, ten times the fun
Visitors will be able to experience Sugartime 1000 firsthand in demo mode. The sweet hit returns with multipliers up to x1000, the Toppling Reels feature, and the Clover Chance Jackpot for nonstop excitement.
Players can trigger Free Spins with 4 – 6 scatters or activate Super Free Spins with guaranteed high multipliers and wins reaching 25,000x the bet value. The result is a faster, more colorful, and even more rewarding experience that keeps the charm of the original.
Hermes Fortunes 2000 – mythic wins take flight
Visitors will get a sneak peek at this mythology-inspired sequel before its official release. The messenger of the gods brings bigger rewards with multipliers up to x2000, Free Spins where symbols can transform into multipliers, and a Super Free Spins mode guaranteeing x20+ multipliers. Linked to the Clover Chance Jackpot, this upgraded sequel offers a divine mix of myth and adrenaline.
“Both Sugartime 1000 and Hermes Fortunes 2000 reflect our respect for the players who made the originals so loved,” said Tsvetomira Drumeva, Head of Sales at EGT Digital. “We wanted to give fans the same excitement they cherish while upgrading every element of gameplay for an even more dynamic and immersive experience.”
Expanding the game universe
At SiGMA Central Europe, EGT Digital will also present its broader content lineup, featuring over 150 in-house developed slots and popular jackpots like Bell Link, Clover Chance, and Gods & Kings Link.
EGT Digital’s Aggregator solution will also be in focus, offering access to over 13,000 games from 200+ global providers through a seamless, high-performance integration.
Boosting engagement through innovation
EGT Digital will also highlight its X-Nave platform - an all-in-one, modular solution featuring Casino, Sportsbook, CRM, Payment Gateway, and the powerful Campaign Manager module.
Now enhanced with proprietary AI, X-Nave personalizes player experiences, optimizes performance, and ensures responsible gaming. Its Campaign Manager helps operators drive engagement, loyalty, and results through automated tournaments, Gift Spins, and Buy Bonus competitions, turning gameplay into measurable marketing success across all devices.
Visit EGT Digital at booth 2050 during SiGMA Europe, Rome, from 4 – 6 November.
The post Award-Nominated EGT Digital Brings Sweet Spins, Smart Tech, and New Thrills to SiGMA Central Europe 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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