Gaming in Germany Hits 37.5 Million Players — Seniors Join the Fun as Average Age Rises

Video games are more popular than ever in Germany, with 37.5 million people now playing across various devices.

That means nearly 6 out of 10 Germans are gaming—up 9% since 2020—highlighting a steady rise in popularity across all age groups.

According to new data from YouGov, released by game – The German Games Industry Association, the biggest growth is happening where you might not expect it: among older adults.

Seniors Powering the Growth

The number of players aged 60 and older jumped from 6.4 million to 7.7 million in just a year. Whether it’s puzzle games on smartphones or casual titles on tablets, older adults are increasingly joining the digital fun.

This surge is helping push the average age of German gamers to 39.5 years—up from 38.2 in 2023. It’s the first time the average has passed the 39-year mark.

Today, a full 79% of gamers in Germany are over 18, showing just how adult the player base has become.

In terms of Gender, the split has remained nearly even for years:

• Men: 52%

• Women: 48%

“Games fascinate millions of people in Germany – young and old, women and men,” said Felix Falk, Managing Director of game. “The majority of Germans have been playing games for a long time, and the number is increasing.”

Falk added that the rising average age challenges outdated views about gaming being “just for kids.” “Whether they are 17 or 70, games inspire people of all ages,” he added.

Market Revenue Takes a Dip in 2024

While player numbers are up, revenue in Germany’s games market dipped slightly in 2024. After several strong years, the industry brought in 9.4 billion euros—a 6% decrease from the previous year.

Here’s a breakdown:

• Games (PC, console, smartphone): Down 17% to 921 million euros

• Gaming hardware: Down 10% to 2.9 billion euros

But it wasn’t all bad news.

• Online gaming services (like subscriptions and cloud platforms): Up 12% to 965 million euros

This shows that while direct purchases slowed, players are increasingly engaging through services and subscriptions like Game Pass, PS Plus, and Ubisoft Plus.