These clubs contribute to the dissemination of game-playing and promoted the development of an active game scene. Causes of Stagnation In 1995 and 1996, the game market in Germany declined about 10 percent and has been stagnant since then. Such games have somewhat displaced social board and card games. We are seeing a surge in the popularity of small and inexpensive card games. People are spending increasing amounts of time on the Internet, playing sports, taking trips, and watching television.
Innovations add interest and give new life to the market.
Also, the best sellers of the 80s and early 90s were unable to influence the overall market significantly. Perhaps the most substantial reason is the success of the Spiel des Jahres award, which stresses quality, strategy, and human interaction in games. The other reasons mentioned above also played roles in the spread of interest in social strategy board and card games. For a long time people did not believe that social strategy board and card games could be in much demand in Germany. The great success of Die Siedler von Catan showed the doubters the kind of financial rewards a good strategy game can produce.