Central Europe
Number of companies and employees in German games industry falls for first time in years
After years of growth, the number of companies and employees in the German games industry declined in 2025. This was announced today by game – The German Games Industry Association on the basis of data from gamesmap.de in cooperation with Goldmedia. According to the data, the number of companies in Germany that develop and/or publish games has dropped by 4 per cent within the past year, to 910. The boom in start-ups in the games sector, which was set in motion by the introduction of the German Federal Games Funding Programme in 2020, has now completely subsided. Last year’s figures already indicated a clear slowdown. This decline was due in particular to the consolidation of the global games market and the unreliable availability of games funding to date in Germany.
Three times since 2020, there have been months-long suspensions placed on funding applications. Despite the newly registered drop, the number of companies has risen by 46 per cent overall since the initial start of the games funding programme in 2020. Of the 910 present companies, 454 work exclusively in game development and 52 exclusively as publishers. The remaining 404 companies are active in both the development and publishing of games.
‘Last year was another very difficult one for the German games industry,’ says Felix Falk, Managing Director of game. ‘Germany’s international competitiveness was further decreased by the ongoing flip-flopping of the games funding policy, which ran right into the consolidation wave that swept the global games sector. Fortunately, the new federal government has already taken the necessary steps to level the playing field for companies in this country. The future funding budget is to be increased and thus adjusted to actual needs, and applications can be submitted from August onwards. These are crucial growth impulses that are urgently needed. The additional funds will not only give companies more planning security, but also time to implement additional tax breaks for games, as set out in the coalition agreement between the CDU, CSU and SPD. The improved conditions will finally give games companies a boost, which will hopefully soon be reflected in more start-ups and the creation of new jobs.’
The number of employees at games companies in Germany has also declined over the last year. Whereas game developers and publishers employed 12,408 workers in 2024, the current figure stands at just 12,134 – a drop of 2 per cent. As with the number of companies, the employee numbers had previously shown strong growth since the introduction of the games funding programme at the federal level: a rise of 23 per cent from 2020 to 2024. The recent decline indicates that the current conditions for the games industry, which offer limited scope for planning due to the repeated funding application stoppages and significant current funding restrictions, are having an impact on the job market. A year ago, there were still more companies with ongoing projects that were internationally competitive thanks to funding at levels comparable to those in other countries – financing that had stabilised Germany’s game sector, despite the global consolidation wave and a lack of funding certainty for the industry here. The game industry secures a total of over 30,000 jobs in Germany. In addition to jobs in development and publishing, these include, for example, skilled professionals in educational institutions, the media and the public and commercial sectors.
About the data
The data is drawn from a survey carried out by Goldmedia on the basis of entries on gamesmap.de. It was conducted on behalf of game – The German Games Industry Association for the period ending on 12 May 2025.
The post Number of companies and employees in German games industry falls for first time in years appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Andrzej Hyla Chief Commercial Officer at Wazdan
Wazdan ready to exhibit as gain-focused partner and exhibitor at SiGMA Central Europe
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Wazdan, the leading gain-focused developer, is ready to make its mark at the upcoming SiGMA Central Europe summit in Rome, taking place from 4th to 6th November at the Fiera Roma.
Italy represents one of Europe’s largest untapped online gambling markets, with total gambling revenue currently standing at an estimated €16 billion. Currently, only 25% of the market operates online, leaving €12 billion in offline revenue waiting to be unlocked.
Situated at stand 4040, Wazdan will be on hand to showcase the company’s Online gaining
formula, featuring its captivating portfolio with over 250 certified games translated in more than 30 languages across 25 regulated markets.
Attendees will have the chance to experience the highly anticipated Mighty Wild: Gorilla release, while the recently launched Cash Grotto, 16 Coins x5000 and Mighty Crown: Legacy of Mars will also be on show, with all experiencing impressive early performances with the studio’s operator partners globally.
Turning attention to Wazdan’s industry-renowned network promotions, those in Rome will also benefit from invaluable insight into the upcoming multi-stage €6,000,000 Network Promotion, which has been built to secure long-term player retention rates during the busy festive period.
Beyond the product showcasing and prize giveaways, Wazdan views the summit as a key opportunity to strengthen regional partnerships and deepen its engagement with Italy’s thriving iGaming sector.
The event’s prominence on the global industry calendar makes it a natural fit for Wazdan’s ambitions to lead the way in compelling slot innovation and partner-focused growth.
Andrzej Hyla, Chief Commercial Officer at Wazdan, said: “SiGMA Central Europe is a fantastic opportunity to connect with partners and share how our Online gaining formula continues to drive measurable growth.
“We are delighted to be acting as a partner throughout the three-day summit, and look forward to shedding light on how our powerful game mechanics and retention tools can help partners accelerate their success in this dynamic market.”
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TaDa Gaming is anticipating its final show of 2025 at the SiGMA Central Europe Expo this 4-6 November. Taking place for the first time at Fiera, Rome, Stand 4062 will host the innovative provider’s full teams from Account Management, Business Development and Marketing.
With a 200+ portfolio of innovative games including TaDa’s unique fish-shooting titles, the team’s focus at SiGMA will be on regulated European markets and slots.
Successful licence applications include MGA; Hellenic Gaming Authority; Romania’s ONJN; Sweden’s Spelinspektionen; and the UKGC. With certification for multiple markets now including Portugal, TaDa’s signature localisation, innovation and future-proof approach to iGaming is paying dividends.
Multiple new integrations are ongoing across Europe, enhanced by TaDa’s most recent distribution agreement with Light & Wonder Inc. With an existing presence in Italy, Belgium and Portugal, TaDa’s reputation for engagement and retention has been reinforced with its new trademarked series Hit the Cash.
The interplay of Multipliers, Lock & Respin and Jackpots as the Hit the Cash signature, added to the random triggering of the jackpots and additional multipliers including Wilds, has meant players cannot get enough of these titles.
Visitors to the TaDa’s Experience Zone at Stand 4062 are guaranteed a winning experience. Hit releases Joker Coins and Fortune Coins 2 will be the headline slots, alongside the industry changing fish-shooting games such as the vampire rock’n’roll led Ocean King Jackpot and new release Fortune Zombie 2.
Ray Lee, Director of Business Development at TaDa Gaming, said: “SiGMA Rome is looking to be a fantastic final show in a year full of highly professional and profitable exhibitions for us. As we continue to build our name for safe, immersive and innovative gaming across Europe, we’re excited to reconnect and connect with clients and future clients to show how we deliver significant differentiation for their operations.”
The post TaDa to Round Off Exceptional Year at SiGMA Central Europe 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Belatra Games, the specialist online slots developer, is thrilled to announce its participation at the SiGMA Central Europe Expo in Rome, Italy. The event is being held at the Fiera Roma from November 3rd to November 6th, providing Belatra with the perfect chance to showcase its latest legendary slots and front-line solutions.
Belatra’s beloved Mummy will be visiting Rome as the character continues to strike a chord with audiences worldwide. Its unique blend of humour, mystery, and quirky antics has transcended cultures. The character made its debut in 2022 for the release of Mummyland Treasures and has since grown into an extensive multiverse encompassing various formats, special features, and spin-offs, which form the core of our very own flagship game universe.
At SiGMA Central Europe, visitors to Belatra’s Booth #4071 will be able to immerse themselves at the heart of the Mummy Universe. There will be a themed experience that brings the magic and the mystery of our beloved multiverse to life. Special prizes are also on offer from the Mummy’s own treasure vault.
Kateryna Goi, Belatra CMO said: “SiGMA Europe provides the perfect platform to connect with existing and potential collaborators. Our team is more than ready to present custom solutions, our robust technical infrastructure, and game designs to ensure player involvement and operator success.”
The post Belatra set to unearth ancient treasures at SiGMA Central Europe appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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