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Share of download purchases of PC and console games rises to 68 per cent
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Majority of console games are bought as physical media, the majority of PC games via download
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Purchasing games as downloads is especially widespread among 20- to 29-year-olds
Berlin, 29 July 2025 – More and more major games are being released exclusively as digital versions, especially indie and early access games: The sale of games via download has made strong market inroads in recent years, with about 7 in 10 games in Germany now being purchased in this way. In 2024, the share of downloads jumped by 8 percentage points, from 60 to 68 per cent, a new record. Accordingly, one third of games (32 per cent) was acquired on physical media. These are the figures released today by game – the German Games Industry Association, based on data collected by YouGov.
Among PC players, especially, downloads have become the preferred means of buying games: nearly all games for PCs, around 99 per cent, were acquired digitally in 2024. Most console games, on the other hand, were purchased on physical media. While the share of download purchases rose in this category as well, from 40 per cent in 2023 to 44 per cent last year, physical media still accounted for over half of purchases of console games (56 per cent). The strong growth in the share of downloads can be attributed in part to the ‘digital only’ development of the last several years, in which not only indie games but more recently also certain blockbuster titles have been released initially or exclusively in digital versions for download. Trends such as the early-access release of games like ‘Baldur’s Gate 3’ and ‘Enshrouded’ have seen studios rely entirely on digital-only distribution for initial sales. Download purchases are receiving an additional boost from the growing popularity of digital versions of current console models, which don’t have a data carrier drive and are thus more compact and often cheaper.
Among PC players, especially, downloads have become the preferred means of buying games: nearly all games for PCs, around 99 per cent, were acquired digitally in 2024. Most console games, on the other hand, were purchased on physical media. While the share of download purchases rose in this category as well, from 40 per cent in 2023 to 44 per cent last year, physical media still accounted for over half of purchases of console games (56 per cent). The strong growth in the share of downloads can be attributed in part to the ‘digital only’ development of the last several years, in which not only indie games but more recently also certain blockbuster titles have been released initially or exclusively in digital versions for download. Trends such as the early-access release of games like ‘Baldur’s Gate 3’ and ‘Enshrouded’ have seen studios rely entirely on digital-only distribution for initial sales. Download purchases are receiving an additional boost from the growing popularity of digital versions of current console models, which don’t have a data carrier drive and are thus more compact and often cheaper.
‘Buying games as downloads is more popular than ever,’ comments Felix Falk, Managing Director of game. ‘Compared to the classic physical media available through retailers, downloads are a very easy way for people to buy games. The trend towards exclusively digital sales – whether of indie, blockbuster or, more recently, early access games – is further driving the prevalence of downloads. At the same time, console players, especially, are still opting for games on physical media. These remain highly popular as additions to the game collections on the players’ shelves, for example, or as special limited editions.’
Video game players’ choice of game acquisition via physical media or download isn’t just a question of the game platform they use, but also of their age. In Germany, download purchases are particularly widespread among the 20- to 29-year age group, who buy more than three quarters (77 per cent) of their games for PC or console as download. Physical media, in contrast, is popular for game purchases above all among older players. In 2024, players aged 50 to 59 bought nearly half of their PC and console games (47 per cent) on physical media, up from 41 per cent the previous year.
German games market growth hits pause in 2024
After attaining unprecedented heights in recent years, the German games market saw a dip in its growth trajectory in 2024. Last year, sales revenue from games, gaming hardware and online gaming services in Germany totalled 9.4 billion euros – a 6 per cent drop from the year before. This downturn was especially pronounced in purchases of games for PCs, consoles and smartphones (−17 per cent, to 921 million euros), as well as in hardware purchases (−10 per cent, to 2.9 billion euros). Running counter to the overall market trend, revenue from online gaming services saw a double-digit increase, rising 12 per cent from the level of 2023, to 965 million euros.
About the market data
The market data is based on statistics compiled by YouGov Shopper, Nielsen IQ and data.ai (a Sensor Tower company). The methods used by YouGov Shopper to collect data on Germany’s digital games market are unique worldwide and stand out for their quality. They include an ongoing survey of 25,000 consumers who are representative of the German population as a whole regarding their video 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.
game – The German Games Industry Association
We are the association of the German games industry. Our members represent the entire video game ecosystem, from development studios and publishers to esports event organisers, educational institutions and other related entities. We are co-organisers of gamescom, the world’s biggest event for video games. We are a shareholder in the Entertainment Software Self-Regulation Body (USK), the Foundation for Digital Games Culture, the esports player foundation, game events and the collecting society VHG, as well as co-host of the German Computer Game Awards. Serving as a central point of contact for media, as well as political and social institutions, we provide comprehensive expertise in areas including market development, game culture and media literacy, and address any inquiries or concerns. Together we are making Germany the heart of gaming worldwide. With games, we enrich the lives of all people.