German Gaming Market Hits €9.4bn in 2025, Fueled by Hardware

The German gaming industry saw a return to solid growth in 2025, with total consumer spending climbing 4% to reach a new high of €9.4 billion. This expansion was primarily fueled by a significant surge in hardware sales, especially following the successful launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 console. Data from the German Games Industry Association (Game) confirms this positive trajectory, highlighting a market energized by new technological offerings.

A closer look at the figures reveals a hardware sector in robust health. Overall hardware revenue jumped 12% to €3.4 billion. The console segment was particularly dynamic, soaring 26% to hit €1 billion. The market for gaming PCs also grew, rising 7% to €651 million, a boost supported by the release of devices like the ROG Xbox Ally. Furthermore, sales of PC gaming accessories, including high-end graphics cards and VR headsets, increased by 13% to €1.4 billion. In a contrasting trend, consumer spending on accessories for consoles declined by 10% to €360 million.

Another major growth engine was the online gaming services sector. Revenue here increased by 7% year-on-year, exceeding €1 billion for the first time after reaching €967 million in 2024. This segment has demonstrated remarkable staying power, having more than doubled its revenue since 2019. Meanwhile, the market for purchasing individual games showed a slight contraction. Revenue from game sales dipped by 1% to €5 billion, and the specific submarket for computer and video games fell 13% to €807 million.

According to Game managing director Felix Falk, these trends underscore a fundamental shift in how Germans engage with games. “The German games market is back on track for growth, and once again it is innovation above all that is driving this momentum,” Falk stated. He pointed to rising console sales and the strength of online services as clear indicators of strong consumer interest in new gaming experiences.

The data illustrates a broader evolution in player habits. Spending on traditional game purchases is declining, while investment in in-game and in-app purchases continues to grow from a much higher baseline. Falk elaborated on this change, noting the rise of games-as-a-platform. “Some games have become genuine long-running hits: over the years, they have built up a huge community that is regularly supplied with new content and remains loyal to ‘their’ game,” he explained. The consistent addition of new titles to popular online services also means that players have less need to frequently purchase brand-new standalone games, reshaping the traditional software sales model.