More Germans play video games than ever before, especially over 60 years old

Over 37.5 million people play video games in Germany, the highest number that has ever been recorded for the country.

A thrust of the number of over 60s, which has grown from 6.4 million people to 7.7 million in just 12 months, has exceeded the player age of 38.2 in 2023 for the first time. 52% of German players identify as men and 48% as women. It is believed that the increase in older players does not necessarily affect older people who take up new gaming hobbies, but rather the aging population of those who grew up.

The new data based on statistics, which were collected by YouGov Shopper, Nielsen IQ and Data.AI, showed that about 6 out of 10 people (59%) between the ages of six and 69 play video games, which has increased by about 9% since 2020, of which 79% at the age of 18 or more are.

“Games fascinate millions of people in Germany – young and old, women and men,” says Felix Falk, managing director of Game – The German Games Industry Association, which has commissioned the data.

“The majority of the Germans have been playing games for a long time and the number is increasing. The steadily increasing average age The player is also exciting: we quickly approach at the age of 40. This makes it clear what many people are still surprising: whether they are 17 or 70 years old, people inspire people of all ages and the proportion of older players grows particularly strongly.”

As early as October, the German Minister of State for Culture and the media invited German developers to record “brilliant game ideas” and apply for the start of the press: Games Startup Grant Fund.