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German games market grows by 27 per cent in the first six months of 2020


As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the first few months of this year not only broke records in terms of player numbers on many platforms; the games market also grew significantly during this period. Games and games hardware generated 3.7 billion euros in total revenue during the first half of 2020 in Germany: a 27 per cent increase, as announced today by game – the German Games Industry Association based on data collected by GfK and App Annie. Revenue from in-game purchases rose particularly sharply. In the first half of 2019, these purchases accounted for approximately 1.1 billion euros in revenue, whilst in the first six months of this year, that figure grew to nearly 1.5 billion euros – a 35 per cent increase. In-game purchases include both small charges – to better equip one’s game character, for example – and more expensive content like whole additional campaigns and season passes.
‘Particularly at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when countless contact restrictions were in place, games helped millions of people by keeping them entertained, allowing them to travel through virtual worlds when holidays were cancelled and keeping them in touch with friends and family,’ says Felix Falk, Managing Director of game. ‘This strong interest in games is now reflected in a spike in revenue – an exceptionally sharp spike, even for the German games market, which has already been experiencing rapid growth in recent years. It’s also notable that many people have opted to purchase gaming hardware, although revenue in this area typically tends to decline before the launch of a new generation of consoles. All these factors highlight just how important games really are – and not just during the COVID-19 pandemic.’
Games hardware in high demand
As part of the strong growth in the overall market, revenue from games hardware also increased drastically during the first six months of the year. Whilst in the first half of 2019 gaming PCs, games consoles and peripherals generated approximately 1.1 billion euros of revenue, that figure rose to 1.3 billion euros during the same period of this year. This equates to an increase of 21 per cent. And all four sectors of the market grew. Revenue from peripherals for gaming PCs increased particularly significantly; this includes input devices for gaming such as special mice and keyboards, monitors and graphics cards specially tailored to gamers, and virtual reality headsets.
Games help people get through the coronavirus crisis
In the lead-up to this year’s gamescom, game published representative survey data on the playing behaviour of Germans during the coronavirus crisis. The data showed that around one third (35 per cent) of players said they had played more than usual during the COVID-19 pandemic; about one quarter (27 per cent) had played more frequently than usual with family or friends. Overall, more than one quarter (28 per cent) of players said that games have helped them to get through the pandemic better.
About the market data
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 digital 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 digital 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.
The survey data used is based on an online survey by YouGov Deutschland GmbH in which 2,027 persons participated between 27 July and 1 August 2020. 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.
Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
This is a Syndicated News piece. Photo credits or photo sources can be found on the source article: German games market grows by 27 per cent in the first six months of 2020

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AG.AL Crowned Honor of Kings World Cup Champions at the 2025 Esports World Cup
AG.AL becomes the 10th club to win a championship at the 2025 Esports World Cup, with a different winner for every tournament so far.
AG.AL has won the Honor of Kings World Cup, beating TT Global 4-3 in the grand final to become the 10th different Club to win a championship at the 2025 Esports World Cup.
AG.AL take home $750,000 for their victory, which, despite only playing three matches, was well-earned after an intense final that could have gone either way until the very last moments of the competition. Their win also means that there has been a different winner for all 10 of the completed championships so far at the 2025 Esports World Cup, showing how competitive the Club Championship is this year.
Both AG.AL and TT Global entered the tournament as favourites, given they were the only two Chinese sides due to compete. China is undoubtedly the number one region when it comes to Honor of Kings, with a fan-voted super team from the country’s King Pro League dominating the competition at last year’s Esports World Cup.
It was a similar situation this year, with the two Chinese breezing past the teams they faced in the playoffs. TT Global took down Team Vitality and NOVA Esports, dropping just one game, while AG.AL didn’t drop a single map when taking down Alpha7 Esports and Twisted Minds.
In the grand final, the two Chinese teams faced off in the match that everyone wanted to see, and it did not disappoint. TT Global managed to secure a 3-1 lead to put them on championship point, but AG.AL fought back to even the scores and set up a winner-takes-all final game. In the end, it was AG.AL who took the victory in one of the closest series of the entire Esports World Cup so far.
“I feel extremely happy, and I would like to give a huge applause to all my teammates, we did make a miracle happen,” said AG.AL’s Bicheng “YiNuo” Xu. “We showed our persistence and perseverance during those times when we were losing and behind.”
AG.AL’s Jiahao “Zoe” Chen was named the SONY MVP following the impressive comeback win in the final. He will receive an additional $10,000 and the MVP medal to recognise his achievements.
AG.AL earns 1000 Club Championship points for their victory, which rockets them to second place in the standings after a second place finish in League of Legends and a fifth place finish in Free Fire. The win also means they become eligible to win the entire Club Championship should they earn enough points to top the table at the end of the Esports World Cup.
The post AG.AL Crowned Honor of Kings World Cup Champions at the 2025 Esports World Cup appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Hunting Clash update: day-night cycle & changing weather now live
Hunting Clash will take players to the rain-soaked landscapes of Thailand and roll out its biggest update of the year.
With the launch of this new location, players will gain access to four different environmental conditions – day, night, rain, and sunshine. This change completely transforms the pace and strategy of gameplay, introducing a new level of realism and engaging players like never before.
“Introducing a day-night cycle and dynamically changing weather conditions is a significant step toward enhancing the player experience,” says Jakub Noganowicz, Product Owner of Hunting Clash. “These changes bring new depth, freshness, and a much stronger sense of immersion. Hunting becomes not only more realistic but also more unique – each condition requires a different approach and strategy. It’s a whole new level of engagement and a feature that truly sets Hunting Clash apart from the competition.”
Thanks to this update, players will be able to hunt in the same location under four different scenarios – during the day, at night, in the rain, or under clear skies. Each of these conditions comes with a unique visual setting. Additionally, a special visual filter will simulate raindrops appearing directly on the player’s screen, further enhancing the sense of being immersed in a realistic, natural environment.
Along with the launch of the new location, the game’s main screen will now feature a weather forecast, designed to reflect the real climate conditions of Thailand. A white cloud icon indicates a chance of rain, while a black cloud guarantees rainfall. To help players better plan their participation in time- or weather-sensitive events, a new notification system has been introduced. When specific weather conditions required for an event are met, this information will be clearly displayed in the forecast.
Dynamic weather conditions and the day-night cycle bring not only a new level of experience, but also greater gameplay variety and fresh visual impressions. Night hunting introduces a completely different atmosphere – with night vision automatically enabled, players can observe animals in the dark, which further enhances realism and immersion. These new conditions require more focus and strategic thinking, making each session more engaging and unique.
This latest update marks more than just another step in the evolution of Hunting Clash – it delivers a brand-new level of realism that significantly elevates gameplay immersion. With July being the peak of the rainy season in Thailand – when the sun appears for only a few hours a day – the location serves as the perfect backdrop to showcase the full impact of the new dynamic weather and day-night systems.
Hunting Clash is the second-largest title in Ten Square Games’ portfolio and has been captivating players since its launch in August 2020. Designed for a broad audience, it combines collection mechanics, competitive gameplay, and breathtaking 3D visuals to create an action-packed hunting simulator for those passionate about the sport. Players can travel to stunning, lifelike hunting grounds around the world, observe animals in their natural habitats, and experience the thrill of the hunt while competing to become the world’s top hunter. With realistically animated wildlife, a variety of weapon types, and unforgettable shooting moments, Hunting Clash delivers the most immersive and memorable hunting adventures on mobile.
The post Hunting Clash update: day-night cycle & changing weather now live appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Jackpot at Sea: Diamond Princess Is the Crown Jewel of Cruise Casinos
- The stunning Diamond Princess of the Diamond Cruise International is considered the World’s Luckiest Casino Cruise, according to a study by Gambling.com, scoring a lucky review percentage of 17.1%.
- In #2 is Wonder of the Seas, operated by Royal Caribbean Cruises (15.6%), and to round out the Top 3 is Infinity (Celebrity Cruises) with a score of 12.2%.
- The Emerald (Princess Cruises) sits in #4 with a score of 10.1%, just ahead of the Queen Elizabeth (Cunard Cruise Line) #5 at 10%.
- Big M Gaming LLC and the Azura (P&O Cruises) finished at #6 and #7 respectively with lucky review percentages of 9.5% and 9.4%.
- The lower end of our Top 10 features the Victory Casino Cruises at #8 (8.8%), Wind Star (Windstar Cruises) #9 (8.6%) and the Riviera (Oceania Cruises) #10 (7.9%).
Considered Florida’s most authentic Las Vegas-style gambling cruise experience, the Victory Casino Cruises had the most reviews that contained “lucky keywords” overall – with 133 – but due to its larger review quantity, its percentage is lower than seven others.
Casinos on cruise ships offer a unique blend of high-seas adventure and high-stakes excitement. Nestled amid luxurious amenities and sweeping ocean views, these floating casinos provide guests with a chance to enjoy classic games like blackjack, poker, roulette and slot machines, all while sailing to exotic destinations.
Over time there has been a gradual modernisation of ship interiors, offering customers more and more amenities. Casinos are a special feature on many of the most major modern cruise ships, with varying degrees of style, scale and luxury.
A flutter at the casino could light the fire on an exciting evening of entertainment. Winning big will justify a trip to a five-star restaurant at the next stop, or a hot streak on the blackjack table could allow you to treat yourself to a spa treatment onboard. So, this got us thinking, out of the many casinos on the world’s cruise ships, which is the luckiest.
To find out the World’s Luckiest Casino Cruise, Gambling.com analyzed Tripadvisor reviews of the world’s best cruise ships with casinos for keywords of luck, lucky and happy. We then calculated the percentage of reviews with lucky keywords each cruise casino received, before finally ranking them by their Lucky Review Percentage.
Diamond Princess: The Luckiest Ship at Sea
The stunning, Diamond Princess of the Diamond Cruise International is considered the World’s Luckiest Casino Cruise, according to our research. The ship has a Las Vegas-style casino that offers the latest slot machines, blackjack, Texas hold ’em and prize tournaments. Operating across Asia and Australia, the newly refurbished ship is a treasure trove of exceptional delights waiting to be discovered.
The Diamond Princess scored a lucky review percentage of 17.1%. At #2 is the glorious Wonder of the Seas, operated by Royal Caribbean Cruises (15.6%), and to round out the Top 3, we have the Infinity (Celebrity Cruises) with a score of 12.2%.
These ships are more like floating cities that transport you to exotic locations. The casinos onboard feature slot machines and table games, including blackjack, roulette and poker. Whether you are a first time gambler or a professional, both vessels will cater to your gambling needs.
Lucky at Sea: Cruise Casinos That Win Big (#4–10)
- The Emerald (Princess Cruises) sits in #4 with a score of 10.1%, just ahead of the Queen Elizabeth (Cunard Cruise Line) #5 (10%).
- Big M Gaming LLC and the Azura (P&O Cruises) finished in #6 and #7 respectively with lucky review percentages of 9.5% and 9.4%.
- The lower end of our Top 10 features the Victory Casino Cruises #8 (8.8%), Wind Star (Windstar Cruises) #9 (8.6%) and the Riviera (Oceania Cruises) #10 (7.9%).
Considered Florida’s most authentic Las Vegas-style gambling cruise experience, the Victory Casino Cruises scored the highest in terms of overall lucky keywords with 133. However due to its high number of Tripadvisor reviews it sits near the bottom of our Top 10.
The post Jackpot at Sea: Diamond Princess Is the Crown Jewel of Cruise Casinos appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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