Central Europe
game’s industry barometer: the German games industry looks confidently to the new year
• 7 in 10 games companies in Germany expect positive economic development for their own business operations over the next 12 months
• 45 per cent of games companies surveyed plan additional hires in the coming year
• Every third company has postponed projects or publications due to the Covid-19 pandemic
The Covid-19 pandemic notwithstanding, the vast majority of games companies in Germany are confident heading into 2021: 7 in 10 companies anticipate positive economic development for their own business operations in the coming 12 months. 1 in 5 companies (19 per cent) expects to maintain a steady course at its current level; just 1 in 10 companies (10 per cent) anticipates a business downturn. These are the results of game’s first industry barometer, based on a survey of association members, which were published today on the occasion of the general meeting of game – the German Games Industry Association. The confidence of the German games industry can also be seen in the area of personnel planning, with 45 per cent of the surveyed companies intending to hire new employees in the coming year and just 6 per cent anticipating having to make lay-offs. Overall, every second company expects to maintain steady personnel numbers.
‘Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the German games industry is looking towards the coming 12 months with great confidence: almost 1 in 2 companies even plans new hires,’ says Felix Falk, Managing Director of game. ‘Not even the numerous challenges posed by the pandemic – like frequent project delays, deferred investments or the search for additional sources of financing – are dampening the games industry’s great optimism about the future. And that’s exactly the right attitude when it comes to achieving our shared goal of moving Germany closer to the global leaders as a games location.’
A look at the current development among games companies in Germany explains this confidence. More than 1 in 4 companies surveyed (28 per cent) say they are coping with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic very well, while a further 67 per cent state that they are coping well. Just 5 per cent of companies say that they are currently coping rather poorly with the crisis. However, the Covid-19 pandemic is having significantly greater effects on games companies than might be expected based on the positive data at first glance. Every third company surveyed (33 per cent) has had to postpone projects or game publications because of the pandemic. In addition, almost 1 company in 5 (18 per cent) has deferred investments due to the pandemic. Furthermore, nearly one fifth of the companies surveyed (19 per cent) have been forced to seek other means of funding as a response to the pandemic.
Information on game’s industry barometer
The members of game – the German Games Industry Association are surveyed once a year for game’s industry barometer. Our 320-plus members include game developers, publishers and many other games industry actors such as esports event organisers, educational establishments and service providers.
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.
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Promatic Games, a polish game-tech brand and a slots studio specializing in game design and software solutions for online casinos, officially entered the Slovak market on January 24th, 2025. Eurogold, a long-time partner of Promatic Group in the land-based gaming sector, became the first online casino in Slovakia to launch 10 of the studio’s popular online slot games.
“Entering the Slovak market has been a significant milestone for us. This year, we are focused on strengthening our presence in Central Europe, with Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Romania, Croatia and other markets in the region as key strategic priorities. Our portfolio of over 100 online slot games is designed to meet the expectations of players in these markets, as proven by our success in Poland. Partnering with a long-time customer for our initial launch in Slovakia was a natural choice, but our ultimate goal is to become a widely recognized game provider in the country and a trusted partner for all operators “– says Maciej Makuszewski, Head of iGaming at Promatic.
The collaboration with Eurogold online casino marks a significant milestone in Promatic Games’ journey. This partnership brings a selection of top-tier games to Slovak players, including fan-favorites such as Jumping Fruits, Ultra Reels, 81 Show, and Miss Inferno Deluxe. As a highlight for this market, Promatic Games has developed an exclusive slot for Eurogold – Kmeťo King Deluxe – which is a tribute to a popular Slovak folk singer Igor Kmeťo. The game is available exclusively at Eurogold.sk and features some of Mr. Kmeťo’s music during the gameplay. The launch of Kmeťo King Deluxe underscores Promatic Games’ commitment to delivering localized and tailored gaming experiences for new audiences.
All ten games introduced to the Slovak market have successfully passed rigorous certification by TSU Laboratory, a local Slovak authority specializing in game testing and certification. TSU ensures that all gaming software complies with international standards, guaranteeing fairness, reliability, and security for players. Promatic Games’ adherence to these high standards emphasizes the company’s dedication to delivering trusted and quality experiences.
Promatic Games is already preparing its next lineup of titles, promising to bring even more unforgettable gaming experiences to Slovak players. The new games will include, amongst others, Janosik 30 game based on the character of both Polish and Slovak folk hero. This expansion signals the company’s dedication to growing its presence in the Slovak market while maintaining the exceptional standards it is known for.
The post Promatic Games now live in Slovakia appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Central Europe
IGT Modernizes Central Lottery System for LOTTO Thüringen in Germany via Seven-Year Contract Extension
International Game Technology PLC announced that its subsidiary, IGT Global Services Limited, has signed a seven-year contract with the Thuringian State Lottery (“LOTTO Thüringen”) in Germany to deploy its retail central system technology, Aurora™, and related software upgrades. The contract term will begin upon go-live of the new platform, planned for March 2026.
An integral part of OMNIA™, IGT’s player-centric, omnichannel solution for lotteries, Aurora helps drive lottery innovation and profitability. The platform will provide intuitive, user-friendly applications, tools and reporting capabilities which will handle all of LOTTO Thüringen’s transaction processing, game management and back-office operations.
“LOTTO Thüringen has relied on IGT’s versatile and strong-performing central system technology throughout the course of our decades-long relationship,” said Jochen Staschewski, LOTTO Thüringen Chief Executive Officer. “Upgrading our central retail system to IGT’s advanced platform and back-end software will enable us to streamline our business processes and continue operating with the highest levels of efficiency.”
“IGT’s retail central system incorporates a suite of flexible solutions designed to help manage, transform and further grow LOTTO Thüringen’s business,” said Jay Gendron, IGT Chief Operating Officer, Global Lottery. “With this long-term contract extension, LOTTO Thüringen is well-positioned to continue benefiting from IGT’s secure, responsible and modernized technology and software. Leveraging these best-in-class solutions will aid in the Lottery’s goals of supporting good causes throughout the state.”
The post IGT Modernizes Central Lottery System for LOTTO Thüringen in Germany via Seven-Year Contract Extension appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
SYNOT Games, a leading iGaming provider, has partnered with win2day, taking a major step in its Austrian market growth strategy.
The collaboration marks its debut with the launch of Resin Joker, a fan-favorite slot that combines the simplicity of a classic gaming experience with a fresh, modern twist. With its smooth gameplay, vibrant audio-visuals, and universal appeal, Respin Joker has become a standout title for players seeking both entertainment and nostalgia.
As this partnership progresses, players can look forward to a steady rollout of additional games from SYNOT Games’ extensive portfolio, further enriching win2day’s already robust catalog. This collaboration is designed to offer Austrian players a premium gaming experience, with a diverse selection of games that blend cutting-edge innovation and top-tier quality.
Georg Wawer, Managing Director of win2day, said: „As the sole licensed operator in Austria, our goal is to host all leading iGaming providers on our platform. Synot, being a major player on the international stage, makes us proud to feature their content. We regard SYNOT Games as a skilled and trustworthy partner for win2day, and we are confident that this collaboration will yield great success.„
Martina Krajčí, CCO at SYNOT Games, commented: “We are excited to partner with win2day and bring our games to Austrian players. At SYNOT Games, our focus has always been on providing quality entertainment, and this partnership highlights our commitment to delivering an outstanding gaming experience.”
The post SYNOT Games teams up with win2day to revolutionize Austria’s iGaming scene appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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