2024-08-22 16:24:20
Computer games Cologne trade fair Gamescom: Magnet for thousands of visitors. They flock to the halls to test out new games.
The biggest names in the industry present their new products. Microsoft with Xbox, Ubisoft with “Star Wars Outlaws”, Capcom with “Monster Hunter Wilds”. Over 1,400 exhibitors from 64 countries showcased their games and technology on 230,000 square meters.
But it’s not just about fun – this is about billions.
Germany: Europe’s largest market for computer games
Germany is the largest market for computer games in Europe and the fifth place worldwide. By 2023, Germans will spend almost 10 billion euros on games, apps and online services – an increase of 6 percent.
But the industry is struggling: rising costs and falling demand are especially important for small studios. Only five percent of the funds go towards games that are developed in Germany.
Read again
Earn money while playing?
Around 12,400 people work in the German game industry, around 950 mostly small companies (2023: 12,000). Domestic companies include Deck 13 from Frankfurt, which has 90 employees, Rockfish Games from Hamburg (35 employees) and Envision Entertainment from Ingelheim (Rhineland-Palatinate, 18 employees).
Despite the difficult times, small companies still offer exciting jobs with attractive salaries: developers start with 45,000 euros a year, while experienced workers often dance’ more than 70,000 euros.
Industry representatives are calling for more government support in order to better compete with international competition.
Stress about funding
The fight for survival is getting tougher.
They are from May 2023 funding of the Federal Ministry of Economics (BMU) is over and new applications cannot be submitted. The 70 euros available in 2023 have been used up. For 2024 there are only 50 million.
In addition, the Federal Commissioner for Culture Claudia Roth (fee) has an unused budget of 33.3 million euros.
Industry representatives are urgently calling for a solution to ensure global competitiveness. Felix Falk, Managing Director of Branchenverbands gameand Bavaria’s Digital Minister Fabian Mehring is calling for faster payments and more system security. Falk warned: “Scientific companies are no longer competitive. Roth and Economy Minister Robert Habeck urgently need to come to an agreement so that companies can finally access the funds.
#Gamescom #Cologne #billiondollar #game #business #Money