Did you know that “Tennis for Two”, developed in 1958, was the first ever video game in the world? Since then, the world has witnessed thousands of digital games with the global game market value estimated to reach $268 billion by 2025 according to reports by Statista.
Germany has a diverse gaming industry and is one of the largest gaming markets globally. The moderate costs, modern infrastructure, and government assistance for game development have helped Germany become a leading gaming nation. In recent years, the revenue from selling games and game accessories has witnessed impressive growth which also hints at the plethora of opportunities the German gaming industry presents.
Read on to discover more interesting facts about the German gaming industry and how you can start a gaming career in Germany.
Overview of the German game industry and its growth
According to the Annual Report of the German Games Industry 2022, Germany is the largest gaming market in Europe and the fifth largest globally. Reports suggest that six out of every ten Germans play video and computer games regularly. EA Sports FIFA 22, Grand Theft Auto V, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe are some of the top-selling games in the country.
Starting from the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, the sales revenue through the purchases of game hardware, in-game and in-app purchases, and app subscriptions witnessed record growth in every following year.
Since 2019, the German federal government has launched a federal computer games funding programme where they provide 50 million euros to support the development of German games. They also have an active games strategy division under the government aimed at attracting international studios and growing Germany into a leading gaming hub.
Germany also hosts Gamescom, the world’s largest video and computer game event, in Cologne every year to boost the gaming industry in Germany.
The German Games Industry Association has a ten-point comprehensive plan which includes strengthening Germany as a gaming location, promoting digital and gaming infrastructure, increasing investments, and providing opportunities for game specialists to further strengthen the gaming industry.
Gaming as a career in Germany
With the rapid rise in the number of active game players and an increase in overall revenue, the German game market is exhibiting a strong upward movement. The employment opportunities in the gaming industry are also more stable than in other creative industries driven by rapid growth in the sector.
The German Games Industry Annual Report suggests a 12% increase in the total number of employers in the gaming sector in the last two years while the number of companies rose by 26%. This positive trend is expected to continue in the coming years with more investments and venture capital flowing into the German gaming market.
How to land a job in the gaming industry
Gaming is a field where only the very best can get involved and achieve big. Like any other industry, you need the right educational qualifications, skills, and expertise to land a job in gaming.
Germany being an educational hub provides a large number of game-focused education and training to interested students. There are numerous programmes in game design and game engineering available in German universities. With education being very affordable, you can enrol in any of these programmes and gain the right qualifications to start a career.
During your studies, make sure to cultivate important skills such as creative designing, programming, coding, and analytics as these are the most valued by potential employers. Building a strong portfolio of your creative works online can give you an upper hand while searching for jobs.
Make sure that you find time to network with professionals and peers from the industry as it is the best way to turn your passion into a lucrative career.
Best opportunities in the gaming industry
There is a rising demand for gaming professionals in Germany as the industry is experiencing exponential growth in recent years. Some popular career roles in the gaming industry are game designer, game developer, game tester, animator, visual artist, audio engineer, interpreter, and research analyst.
According to Glassdoor, a game developer earns around €50,927 annually in Germany.
If you wish to be a part of the vibrant gaming industry in Germany, enrol in a Bachelor’s degree in Game Design at the University of Europe for Applied Sciences (UE), Germany. In this programme, you will learn the various elements of game development in a modern facility equipped with the latest technologies such as Game labs, PC Pools, and VR equipment.
UE focuses on a practical approach to studying game design. The programme includes workshops, field trips, and several practical projects to prepare you for your dream career.
Be a part of the UE game design programme today.