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German games market grows by 22 per cent in the first half of 2021

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• German games market sees further increase in growth after 2020

• Half of Germans believe that the potential of games is not yet adequately exploited

• Free-to-play games enjoy high levels of acceptance among players

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• Around seven million Germans watch gaming live streams, and a third of these do so at least several times a week

Last year’s strong growth of the German games market continued in the first half of 2021: in the first six months of this year, sales revenue in computer and video games and associated hardware grew by 22 per cent year-on-year to a level of 4.6 billion euros. This was announced today by game – the German Games Industry Association at the gamescom press conference. gamescom itself starts this Wednesday evening. This data is based on surveys carried out by the market research companies GfK and App Annie. The strongest drivers of growth include in-game and in-app purchases: the revenue from these services grew by 34 per cent to around 2 billion euros in the first half of the year. The high demand for games hardware such as games consoles, graphic cards, etc. generated revenue growth of 24 per cent to around 1.7 billion euros. Charges for online networks also considerably boosted revenues, rising by 18 per cent to 378 million euros in the first half of 2021.

‘The demand for games and corresponding hardware remains strong this year following the surge in 2020. In particular, the springtime shutdowns during the coronavirus pandemic saw many people in Germany reach for their smartphone, games console and PC in order to play games and have fun with other people,’ says game Managing Director Felix Falk. ‘As well as being first-rate entertainment, games also offer huge potential for dealing with the challenges of our age, such as the coronavirus pandemic, climate change or the digitalisation of our society. Unfortunately, this potential is still insufficiently exploited in Germany – a situation that more than half of Germans currently believe to be a problem. With German parliamentary elections on the horizon, this should be a clear signal to politicians to improve the framework conditions for the games industry and to further leverage the potential of games for our society and economy in future.’

Half of Germans believe that the potential of games is not yet being adequately exploited

This year’s gamescom is raising awareness of the huge potential of games under the guiding principle of ‘Games: The New Normal’. Computer and video games not only make millions of people happy every day, they have long been used in companies, schools, retirement homes and museums. Whether environmental protection, health or for using the coronavirus app: 50 per cent of Germans believe that the huge potential of games is not yet being adequately exploited in Germany. More than half of Germans agree with the statement that games can help inculcate environmentally aware behaviour by simulating the consequences of environmentally damaging actions. Almost as many people agree with the statement that gamification can motivate people to move more in their everyday lives and eat more healthily, and can contribute to a healthy lifestyle as a result. Nearly four out of ten Germans see the deployment of gamification as an opportunity to increase the acceptance and use of digital solutions such as the coronavirus app.

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Free-to-play games enjoy high levels of acceptance

Never before have so many games been available to play for so little money. gamescom highlights this development with the trend ‘more games for less money’. Free-to-play games are one of the main reasons for this trend, in addition to the burgeoning array of increasingly extensive subscription services that give users access to the latest blockbuster and indie games for just a few euros per month. Because they are free of charge while incorporating optional additional purchases, free-to-play games enjoy high levels of acceptance among video game players. Around three quarters of all players in Germany have played free-to-play games without spending any money on them. Just under six out of ten players believe such games to be better than having to pay a fixed amount of money in advance. Around half of players consider in-game purchases – which enable the free-to-play games to finance themselves – to be fair because they are optional and are a means of funding the development of the games.

 

Live-streaming as a ‘campfire for the digital age’

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This year’s ‘live-streaming’ trend at gamescom refers to a phenomenon of games culture that has experienced uncommonly high growth over recent years. Live broadcasts on platforms such as Twitch, YouTube or Facebook Gaming that actively involve the community have long been regarded as the campfire of the digital age. Over seven million people in Germany use corresponding platforms for gaming live streams, and a third of them do so at least several times a week. Additionally, many other subject areas such as cooking, talk formats or sports events – and not just gaming – are hugely popular on the platforms. The special feature of the live streams on these platforms is the direct communication between creator and community, and it is this interaction that is the entertaining factor. gamescom also utilises live-streaming to delight millions of fans around the world with shows such as gamescom: Opening Night Live or gamescom: Awesome Indies, with talk formats such as the gamescom studio and also live streams from a host of partners.

 

About the data

Please note: GfK has adjusted its definition of hardware designed for games, with the result that the market size comes out higher – also for the figures already reported last year for the first half of 2020.

The market data is based on statistics compiled by the GfK Consumer Panel and App Annie. The methods used by GfK to collect data on Germany’s video games market are unique in terms of both their quality and their global use. They include an ongoing survey of 25,000 consumers who are representative of the German population as a whole regarding their video game purchasing and usage habits, as well as a retail panel. The data collection methods provide a unique insight into the German market for computer and video games.

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The survey data used is based on an online survey by YouGov Deutschland GmbH in which 2,052 persons participated between 3 and 5 August 2021. The results were weighted and are representative of the German population aged 16 and older.

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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SYNOT Games teams up with win2day to revolutionize Austria’s iGaming scene

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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.

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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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25 years of ZEAL: A quarter century of online lottery in Germany

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  • From living room start-up to online market leader
  • Ambitious growth targets and innovative product ideas

ZEAL Network SE, the market leader for online lotteries in Germany, is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Founded in 1999 as Tipp24, the company was one of the first on the German market to bring lotteries to the internet. Since then, ZEAL has had a lasting impact on the German online lottery business. 

“We are very proud of a quarter century of ZEAL,” says Helmut Becker, CEO of ZEAL. “What began 25 years ago as a two-man start-up in Hamburg has now developed into a group of companies with more than 250 employees. We are more successful than ever in our core business of lottery brokerage and are continuously expanding our market share and our business model. In doing so, we are staying true to our motto: we define the future of lottery.”

From start-up to international group

ZEAL was founded as Tipp24 in Hamburg in 1999. The company was one of the first providers to enable participation in state lotteries in Germany via the Internet – with great success. The IPO followed in 2005. This was followed by the temporary relocation of the company headquarters to London, the change of name to ZEAL Network SE and the development of new business abroad. In 2019, the company returned to Hamburg and took over LOTTO24 AG. This made ZEAL the largest lottery broker in Germany. Today, more than 1.3 million customers play with ZEAL’s brands every month.

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“As one of the founders, I am particularly happy about ZEAL’s success story,” says Jens Schumann, co-founder of ZEAL 25 years ago and now a member of the Supervisory Board. “When we founded the company, we printed out the lottery tickets that our customers played online and handed them in at the kiosk around the corner. A lot has happened since then. Today, ZEAL is one of Germany’s leading e-commerce companies. It gives me great pleasure to have been so closely involved in its development to date.”

Continuing to grow in the core business, developing new business areas

Today, ZEAL is the market leader for online lotteries in Germany. The brokerage of participation in state and charity lotteries remains the company’s core business, which it intends to expand in the future. In addition, ZEAL is continuously developing its portfolio: in the summer, for example, the company launched the first raffle of an existing property in Germany with Traumhausverlosung (English name: Dream House Raffle). ZEAL also appeals to younger target groups in particular with the freiheit+ charity lottery. Last year, ZEAL also launched an online games offering, which has been continuously expanded since then. ZEAL also operates the online presence of the ONCE charity lottery in Spain, a public organization for the blind, and invests in industry-specific start-ups via its ventures department ZEAL Ventures.

The post 25 years of ZEAL: A quarter century of online lottery in Germany appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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NOVOMATIC once again honored with the “Business Superbrands Austria Award”

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The world’s largest independent brand evaluation organization, Business Superbrands Brand Council, has once again recognized NOVOMATIC as one of Austria’s strongest brands for the year 2024/2025.

The prestigious award is given to brands that have built up an outstanding image in their market segment and clearly stand out from their competitors. After a pre-selection by the credit rating service provider Bisnode D&B, an independent panel of experts decides on the awarding of the title. NOVOMATIC’s exceptional brand strength and innovative power were convincing and underlined our success on both the domestic and international markets.

Stefan Krenn, Executive Board Member of NOVOMATIC AG, accepted the award from András Wiszkidenszky, Superbrands Regional Director, and emphasized: “This award underlines our strong market position and the continuous pursuit of innovation and excellence in the international gaming industry. At the same time, it is a sign of appreciation for the extraordinary commitment of our employees, who contribute to the success of the NOVOMATIC brand every day.”

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András Wiszkidenszky added: “The Superbrand award underlines the economic appeal of the NOVOMATIC brand. Congratulations on the outstanding brand management and strong positioning that have made NOVOMATIC one of the strongest brands in Austria.”

The post NOVOMATIC once again honored with the “Business Superbrands Austria Award” appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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