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German games market in 2023: strong development in turbulent times
The German games market once again grew significantly overall in 2023: sales of games, games hardware and gaming online services rose by 6 per cent to around 9.97 billion euros. This is a significant increase after sales had only risen by 1 per cent in the previous year. The biggest growth drivers include games consoles and their accessories as well as in-game and in-app purchases. Despite the large number of top-class titles, which increased sales of games purchases by 4 per cent, the number of games sold fell by 8 per cent at the same time. There were also significant declines in some cases for gaming PCs and laptops. The data on the German games market is based on surveys conducted by the consumer panel services GfK and data.ai. The different developments in the individual market segments also show that 2023 was a year of contrasts for the games industry as a whole: on the one hand, more high-calibre titles were released within twelve months than ever before. On the other hand, some sales expectations were not met, particularly due to this abundance of outstanding games. Combined with generally high interest rates and a slowdown in the investment market, a wave of consolidation began worldwide, as a result of which developer studios are still being downsized or even closed and jobs are being cut.
‘The German games market continues to grow, but a close look at the data shows just how challenging these times are for game companies,’ says Felix Falk, Managing Director of game. ‘This is particularly true for small to medium-sized companies in Germany, most of which have only thin capital cover and therefore feel the impact of the tougher investment climate especially quickly. In such turbulent times reliable and internationally competitive political solutions are needed more than ever.’
Major differences between categories of games hardware
Sales revenues from various categories of games hardware developed very differently last year. Game consoles were among the most important growth drivers, posting a revenue increase of 44 per cent to break the billion-euro threshold, with total revenues of 1.1 billion euros. Demand for game console accessories was similarly robust, if at a slightly lower level. Sales revenues in this area jumped 32 per cent, to 374 million euros. In stark contrast, gaming PCs registered a clear decline as revenues from PCs and laptops marketed specially for games dropped by 17 per cent, to 547 million euros. Accessories for gaming PCs – including special input devices, graphic cards, etc. – fared only slightly better, with revenues falling by 7 per cent, to just under 1.3 billion euros.
‘Last year was the first year in a long time in which all current game consoles were easily available on the market,’ says Felix Falk. ‘The huge revenue gain in this category in 2023 shows how great the pent-up demand was among players. On the other hand, there was a clear drop in sales revenues from gaming PCs. After investing in PCs and laptops during the Covid-19 pandemic, a lot of video game players seem to be well-equipped for the moment.’
Sales revenue from games rises and gaming online services stabilise at a high level
Sales revenue from games developed positively overall in 2023. Across all platforms, purchases of PC and console games generated 4 per cent more revenue than in the year before. Total sales revenues in this area increased to around 1.1 billion euros. Considering the many high-quality game releases, however, this rise seems rather low. Indeed, the number of games sold actually dropped by 8 per cent. This reveals that the growth in revenue here is attributable exclusively to higher average prices. Last year, many video game players appear to have purchased high-quality titles shortly after their release and not waited for discounts. Also, because many of the top titles of 2023 are especially time-intensive, they didn’t leave room for players to acquire a larger number of games. In contrast, the market development for in-game and in-app purchases was significantly more positive, showing a revenue increase of about 6 per cent, to 4.7 billion euros. From an upgrade in a player character’s armour, to a season pass with a lot of additional content, to completely new campaigns, it has become ever more common for the playing time of a game to be extended or individualised through additional content. This trend continued in 2023. In-game sales revenues contribute significantly to covering continuously rising game development costs.
After a number of years of strong growth, sales revenues from online gaming services stabilised at a high level. Among the categories in this segment are fee-based subscription services that provide access to a large selection of games, cloud-based gaming, online multiplayer functions and the ability to save game progress in the cloud. Examples of these services include EA Play, Nintendo Switch Online, PlayStation Plus, Xbox Game Pass and Ubisoft+. Revenue from these services fell by 1 per cent in 2023, to 860 million euros.
The post German games market in 2023: strong development in turbulent times appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Soft2Bet releases TopBet.ro in Romania with a motorsport‑inspired identity tailored to local fans
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Soft2Bet has launched TopBet.ro, a new Romanian sportsbook designed to cater to local habits and preferences. Built with a clear focus on motorsport and match-day culture, the brand combines competitive odds and fast mobile journeys with an auto-themed identity that resonates with local fans.
From launch, TopBet.ro has been tuned to the way Romanians follow sport. Football and motorsport are front and centre, with timely markets, match-day boosts and content that reflects supporters’ weekly rituals. Romania’s proximity to major European circuits and easy short-haul travel make it a natural home for motorsport fans, and TopBet.ro responds with creative campaigns, themed missions and seasonal offers built around grand prix weekends. The same care is evident throughout the interface: clear navigation, quick bet placement, and a clean, mobile-first design.
Yoel Zuckerberg, Chief Product Officer at Soft2Bet, said: “With TopBet.ro, we set out to create a brand that feels Romanian from the first tap, then added MEGA missions and challenges that turn derby days and grand prix weekends into journeys people return to. What we prove on our own brands becomes the toolkit we offer partners, combining culturally tuned products with measurable engagement and the ability to scale with minimal integration effort.”
Brand representative from TopBet.ro commented: “TopBet.ro is designed for Romanian fans who want more from every match. Together with Soft2Bet, we built a platform that connects sport, competition, and rewards in a way that feels natural and exciting. Our goal is to give every player the chance to experience the game like a champion.”
Alongside sports, TopBet.ro offers a comprehensive casino lobby for quick breaks or a change of pace, featuring popular slots, live dealer tables, and sports-themed titles, all delivered in a mobile-first format with clear navigation and quick load times. The experience is powered by Soft2Bet’s performance-first platform, which delivers speed, stability, and smooth gameplay, along with responsible play tools tailored to local requirements. A key part of this is MEGA (Motivational Engineering Gaming Application), the engagement engine that turns play into progress through missions, challenges and quests that unlock rewards and keep sessions fresh.
The approach has already proved successful in Romania, where seasonal quests and local events are firm favourites among players. By turning everyday actions into clear milestones and rewards, MEGA lifts session depth and repeat visits, helping first-time players become long-term customers.
The post Soft2Bet releases TopBet.ro in Romania with a motorsport‑inspired identity tailored to local fans appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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ELA Games beckons players to step into a shadowy realm of sorcery and mystery with its newest release: Witches’ Book
Bathe in the magic as a powerful coven of three witches conjures their spells across the reels, revealing mysterious rewards and surprises. Each spin is a step toward ultimate strength, where massive riches and bubbling magic await.
The Power of the Book
In the Witches’ Book, magic shimmers in every spin. Players aim to collect enchanted pages and experience the power of each witch’s most mythical spells.
Once players gather enough enchanted pages, they complete the spellbook and choose their witch and symbol to unlock the magical Free Spins. As the witches’ power grows, every symbol has the chance to transform into a Jackpot, turning ordinary spins into powerful, enriching moments.
A medium volatility level and 94.9% RTP ensure that wins are frequent even on the base game. Additionally, multiple surprise features can arise and spread across the 5×3 reel format, making each spin a potion of excitement.
ELA Games’ Magical Touch
Witches’ Book is an enchanting embodiment of ELA Games’ philosophy regarding creative innovation and a focus on engaging gaming experiences. The games’ animations, sound design, and dynamic mechanics blend to create an atmospheric game that will have players a part of the incantation.
Marharyta Yerina, ELA Games’ Managing Director, commented on the release, “With Witches’ Book, our goal was to create a title that emphasises the visually-rich aesthetics that embody the atmosphere of the brooding festive season. Every feature and design element was meticulously crafted to keep players engaged and deliver value for our partners. Witches’ Book is an example of our development approach: leverage creativity to entertain players while driving meaningful performance results for operators.”
Discover Enchanting Riches Now
Players can dive into the mysterious world of magic and spells today, with powerful gameplay and immersive experiences.
Finish your incantation and cast a powerful, lucrative spell today.
The post ELA Games Casts Its Latest Spell with Witches’ Book appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Lisbon’s streets set the pace for Season 2 of GR8 Tech’s Bet It Drives — the drive-time podcast where iGaming’s most interesting voices speak freely, in motion. Hosted by Yevhen Krazhan, Chief Sales Officer at GR8 Tech, each episode captures raw insight, candid stories, and the kind of energy you can only find on the road.
Episode 2 puts the spotlight on Tiago Pereira, Head of Portugal at LeBull.pt, the executive who helped turn a logo and a bull into one of the fastest-growing brands in Portugal’s regulated iGaming market. With more than 20 years in sports betting, affiliates, and casino operations at Placard.pt, Betano.pt, bet.pt, and Sportingbet, Tiago has led market entries, compliance frameworks, sponsorships, and full-funnel digital growth.
During the ride, Tiago opens up about:
- How he found his path and his journey from architecture and computer science to marketing.
- The history of LeBull.
- Portugal vs. Brazil: same language, different mindset: why copy-paste doesn’t work and true localization is key.
- The idea behind the LeBull Night Show, a weekly late-night comedy event.
- His failed marketing project.
- Trusting younger generations.
- His previous approach to marketing when he joined Betano in 2017.
- Why the Portuguese sports betting market relies on the casino vertical.
- The next chapter for affiliation.
- Network or Not Work: mascots, localization, and keeping support teams local.
- A small personal detail that’s still quietly visible online for those who know where to look.
- His Champion Rule: move forward with an “I need to get this done” mindset. Whatever happens, don’t stop. Stay consistent, keep moving forward, and the results will follow.
“Tiago showed us how to win a new market with discipline, curiosity, and the courage to keep moving forward,” said Krazhan.
Watch or listen to Season 2, Episode 2 with Tiago Pereira on:
Bet It Drives Season 2 kicked off with Rasmus Sojmark and keeps the pace with upcoming episodes featuring Kyrylo Korobka and Kelly Kehn. Buckle up. Lisbon’s just getting started.
The next chapter of iGaming belongs to those who play smart and play bold. Meet GR8 Tech at booth 5028-2 during SiGMA Central Europe 2025 in Rome, November 3–6, and discover the Heavyweight Rulebook built for operators ready to scale, localize, and win.
The post GR8 Tech’s Bet It Drives Hits the Portuguese Fast Lane with Tiago Pereira of LeBull.pt appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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