Seventy percent of video game purchases in Germany are now made as digital downloads

In Germany, digital downloads now represent 70% of all video game purchases, according to new findings.

A report from the German Games Industry Association, sourcing data from YouGov and released on July 29, highlights an 8% rise in digital downloads in 2024, reaching 68% from a previous 60%. This marks a significant milestone, with the remaining 32% of games still bought as physical copies.

Further insights reveal that nearly all PC games, about 99%, were purchased digitally in 2024. Digital acquisitions for console games rose from 40% in 2023 to 44% in 2024. Nonetheless, physical copies continue to dominate the console market, comprising 56% of purchases in Germany.

The association cites the uptick in digital-only game releases as a reason behind this trend. Titles like Baldur's Gate and Enshrouded are noted for their digital-exclusive launch phases, contributing to the surge in digital purchases.

Felix Falk, managing director of game, remarked that digital downloads have gained unprecedented popularity. "Downloads provide a convenient purchasing option compared to traditional retail physical media. The increasing number of exclusively digital sales, whether for indie games, major releases, or early access versions, continues to boost digital purchases. However, console gamers particularly value physical copies, which are often collected or sought after as limited editions," he stated.

The report outlines that different age demographics influence purchasing preferences. Individuals aged 20 to 29 purchase 77% of games digitally. Conversely, players in the 50 to 59 age bracket favor physical copies, accounting for 47% of the market in 2024, up by 6% from the previous year.

Despite this growth in digital sales, the German gaming industry experienced a slowdown, with a 4% reduction in gaming companies in 2025, following a period of expansion. Revenue across games, hardware, and online services also fell by 6% from 2023 to 2024.

The report also indicates a 17% decrease in game purchases for mobile, PC, and console platforms, alongside a 10% decline in hardware sales. However, online gaming services saw a 12% revenue increase since 2023.