Cologne - Sales of computer games in Germany are blasting through the recession, with a major gaming conference due to kick off next week, an industry body said Wednesday. Some 24.8 million computer games on all platforms were sold in the first half of 2009, two per cent more than in the same period of 2008, the Federal Interactive Entertainment Software Association (BIU) said.
"We are a bit disappointed at the moderate growth, but in comparison to other markets it is pleasing," said BIU head Olf Walters said.
The figures will boost expectations of the upcoming five-day gamescom computer games fair due to begin in Cologne on August 19.
The BIU is expecting an annual sales growth of between 3 and 5 per cent for the whole year. The best performing platforms, with regard to games sales, in the first half of 2009 were the Nintendo Wii, Playstation 3 and Microsoft Xbox 360, with games sold up by nearly a fifth.
Sales of games for mobile consoles, however, fell sharply back, by 13 per cent.
Some 200,000 visitors are expected at gamescom, to try out wares from 420 exhibitors from 30 countries, according to the Cologne Trade Fair company.
Gamescom was previously held under the name Games Convention in the trade halls at Leipzig, but in 2008 the BIU decided to move the event to Cologne, judging it better suited for business.
