adminGerman games industry growth gathered pace between 2018 and 2024, with the number of game companies increasing by 81%. Over the same period, industry revenue and employment also rose, while women made up a larger share of the workforce. The figures come from a report by the German Games Industry Association (Game).
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German games industry growth: key figures from 2018 to 2024
The report counts 948 game companies in Germany in 2024, up from 594 in 2018. That increase points to a significant expansion in the number of studios and other businesses operating in the sector. Company revenues grew by 22% over the same period, reaching €3.78 billion.
Employment also increased. The industry workforce grew by 20% to 14,800 people, while the proportion of women working in the German games industry rose from 25% to 30%. These figures track different aspects of the sector, so company counts, revenue and employment should be considered separately when assessing its development.
How games funding may support further development
Game links part of the expansion to Germany’s federal games funding programme. The programme makes €125 million available annually to support companies. Its role is one factor identified by the association; the reported figures cover the industry’s overall change between 2018 and 2024.
In the report, studios expressed expectations about the programme’s potential effects:
- 87% expect funding to provide additional support for game development.
- 67% anticipate an increase in turnover.
- 63% expect the programme to improve competitiveness and help secure employment.
These are company expectations rather than guaranteed outcomes. For studios considering funding, it is useful to check current eligibility rules, application requirements and programme timelines before building support into a project budget.
Industry outlook and competitiveness
Game managing director Felix Falk said the recent expansion suggests that suitable conditions can help the sector deliver results. He also argued that Germany could strengthen its position by combining dependable games funding with tax incentives. In his view, matching international approaches could help German companies compete more effectively with established game-development hubs.
The report presents a picture of growth across business numbers, revenue and jobs, alongside a gradual increase in women’s representation. These indicators offer useful context, but they do not by themselves explain differences between company sizes, roles or regional markets. Readers comparing future data can use the 2018 figures as a baseline and check whether the same definitions are applied.
What the figures mean for the German games industry
Overall, German games industry growth was substantial from 2018 to 2024: the number of companies rose 81%, revenue reached €3.78 billion and employment climbed to 14,800. Funding is expected by many studios to support further development, though its longer-term effects will depend on how the programme is implemented and how companies use it.
