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Germany Becomes Europe’s
Largest Videogame Market





Germany’s relationship with videogames has been rocky lately. But that
hasn’t stopped German gamers from buying and playing games.



Market research company Media Control GfK reports that Germany has
overtaken the U.K. as the largest market for videogames in Europe. The
report cites strong sales in Germany during the first half of 2009
versus a 20 percent drop in U.K. game sales last year. The ongoing
success of Wii Fit, which has dominated the German sales charts since
the beginning of the year, is credited for Germany’s lead.



The growing popularity of videogames in Germany has caused a fair bit of
controversy. The German government has mulled the idea of banning
violent videogames. And the German videogame ratings board has been
particularly tough on games that feature violent gunplay.



The nation has already been home to a movement towards non-violent board
games. German-style board games, like The Settlers of Catan, eschew
combat and conflict for non-violent settings and an angle on strategy.
Videogames might be due for the same kind of make-over in Germany.



However, run-and-gun gamemakers like Crytek may not stick around if the
German government continues to restrict them.