Internal hyperlinks for navigation

Article - Video Games

Video Games

Introduction

Games Map of Germany

© BMWK



Video games a common leisure-time activities for millions of people of all ages. The games industry therefore forms a key part of the German cultural and creative industries. The industry is growing and has established itself as a relevant economic factor and offers a pool for highly qualified workers in the digital sector.

Games in the BMWK

Germany is the largest market for video games in Europe and the fifth largest market worldwide (source: Newzoo, current as of 2022). Turnover in the industry in Germany has been growing strongly for years – having risen from €6.5 billion in 2019 to €9.9 billion in 2022 according to the most recent data (source: game – Verband der deutschen Games-Branche (German Games Industry Association)). This makes the video games industry a strong growing industry which has established itself as an important part of the economy and brings together a pool of highly qualified workers in the digital sector. The games industry stands for innovative solutions in a way that hardly any other economic sector does. It is the digital frontrunner for technologies such as simulation, three-dimensional imaging, virtual reality and augmented reality. As technologies of the future, each of these find their way into other industries, meaning that video games have established themselves as innovators for technology transfer.

Video games also enable social exchange and interpersonal communication. They can facilitate participation and create inclusion. As storytelling media, they are objects of art and culture. Gamers identify with their games and gaming even has its own stars, e.g. experts who act as influencers, Let's Players and pro-gamers in e-sports. In addition, serious games are used in education to learn in a playful way.

Facts and Figures

€9,8
Symbolicon für Eurostapel

Billion
in turnover was generated in Germany through games and games hardware in 2021

58
Symbolicon für Menschen

per cent
of Germans aged 6-69 play video games (2021)

17
Symbolicon für Wachstumskurve

per cent
turnover growth was recorded in 2021 compared to the previous year

4,2
Symbolicon für Tortendiagramm

per cent
of the turnover in video games in Germany in 2020 accrued to games productions

Video Game Funding

Federal funding for video games

Federal funding for video games at a glance:

  • Funding for the development of prototypes and the production of video games.
  • Funding rate of up to 50%.
  • Applications have been accepted since 28 September 2020.
  • Publication of second call on 22 November 2021

Although overall turnover in the games sector is rising, the market shares of German companies have been declining for a long time and have been stagnating at a low level for several years. The number of people employed in the industry also falls short of its potential. In order to improve the conditions for developments originating from Germany, the Federal Government has provided up to €50 million in annual funding for the industry since 2019. These resources are intended in particular to help raise the number of employees within the sector, as well as to increase the number of games publications and companies from Germany and to strengthen their position on the German and international markets. To date, more than 400 projects have benefitted from this funding (see ‘Overview of funded projects’).

Funded Projects

Overview of funded projects

The Federal Government offers funding of up to 50 per cent for the development of prototypes and the production of video games. This is provided as a non-repayable grant and is aimed at companies with their registered office, permanent establishment or branch office in Germany. In order for a game to receive funding, the European Commission requires it to first pass a cultural test based on game content and cultural background. The development costs for prototypes must be at least €30,000 and can be up to a maximum of €400,000. To be eligible for production funding, the development costs must be at least €100,000. The exact funding rate in this case is calculated on the basis of the development costs.

➞ Overview of funded projects (German only, as of: January 2022)
The project list will be updated shortly

Strategy

Strategy for Germany as a Games Hub

In addition to financial support for the games industry, the “Strategy for Germany as a Games Hub” sets out further fields of action for the Federal Government. These include extensive inward investment, such as measures to attract international investors and skilled professionals. The plans set out in the Strategy include strengthening industry networking, creating hubs, and improving the transfer of knowledge.

Strategy: Games Made in Germany

© BMWK

Strategy for Germany as a Games Hub

Go to Article

Video Game Award

The German Video Game Award

The German Video Game Award (Deutscher Computerspielpreis, DCP) is a prize conferred by the Federal Government together with ‘game – Verband der deutschen Games-Branche’ (German Games Industry Association) to honour developers of the best video games ‘made in Germany’. The DCP is the most important award in the German games industry and has been presented since 2009. The winning games are selected by high-ranking main and specialist juries based on aspects such as quality, innovative content and a fun gaming experience, as well as cultural and educational value.

DCP 2023

Contact

Information and contact

General questions about the funding programme or the “Strategy for Germany as a Games Hub” can be sent to the Games division at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK):
Email: games@bmwk.bund.de

Please send any press enquiries to:
Email: presse@bmwk.bund.de

As the Ministry’s appointed project management agency, DLR will be happy to answer any more specific questions on the application, including on formal, technical or commercial requirements:

Email: games@dlr.de
Hotline: +49 228 3821-1850

Further information

  • Article - Cultural and creative industries

    Article: Cultural and Creative Industries

    Open detail view
Games Map of Germany

Related topics