Europe's Growing Gaming Scene
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The gaming scene in Europe is larger than ever due to a combination of factors that we will be taking a look at right here.
Some of the biggest gaming hubs here are based in the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, France, Italy, Ireland, Spain, the Czech Republic, Finland, and Poland. If expert projections are correct, the gaming industry in Europe could be worth a staggering €40 billion (approx. £33 billion or $41 billion) by the end of the decade.
Let's now dive in and closely examine some of the key contributing factors behind its burgeoning success and continued growth.
Which key gaming hubs are based in Europe?
Europe is now home to some of the world's biggest gaming hubs. It's where many of the industry's most influential companies now call home. Here are some of the region's most notable gaming hubs and why they top the list:
- London, England, United Kingdom – Rocksteady Studios and Activision Blizzard are just two of the biggest and most influential gaming companies based here. Other notable gaming companies with offices in London are Splash Damage, SEGA, Whimsey Games Group Ltd, Sony Interactive Entertainment, and Media Molecule. The city also has a bustling eSports scene and is home to some of the United Kingdom's biggest gaming conventions – EGX London and the BAFTA Games Awards
- Italy – the country has recently reported making significant profits in its homegrown gaming sector
- Sweden – Mojang, Avalanche, Ubisoft Sweden, Embracer Group, Paradox Interactive, King, and several others are based here in what is now one of Sweden's top game development hubs. It also has one of Europe's fastest-growing video game development markets
- France – game developers view France as the ideal destination to set up shop, and it is now one of the European Union's leading gaming development hubs
- Ireland – the gaming sector here continues to grow because of the common law system that enforces IP rights and protects companies operating in this industry
- Germany – in terms of how many game development studios are based here, Germany is hot on the heels of catching up with Sweden and France. Plus, in terms of total industry turnover, Germany is very close behind Sweden
The iGaming sector in each of these regions also shows unprecedented growth. This huge growth within the sector has made space for third-party companies. We’ve seen sites like Casino.org pop up as a review site for customers to find sites through. As the market continues to expand, we can only guess where the next business venture will be.
How did the gaming industry get so big in Europe?
There are many reasons why the gaming industry has become so big, and the combination of factors includes things like well-mature ecosystems. It has an excellent regulatory environment with high standards, which is particularly hospitable for start-up companies.
There is also huge investment pumped into the gaming scene in Europe from local and foreign investors.
The thriving market is having a significant economic impact in Europe, which has a reputation for producing high-quality games. The workforce comprises thousands of highly talented and skilled individuals, plus the demand for game developers and publishers is driven by the huge population of gamers who regularly play video games.
Additionally, Europe is well-known on the global stage for being a pioneer in innovation in the gaming industry and for its creative excellence, as well as for producing a number of high-end titles across numerous popular genres.
These European gaming hubs are home to everything from small independent companies to the much larger, well-established triple-A studios. They are well-known for creating all types of content, from casual/Indie games to blockbuster titles.
Over the past few decades, some of the biggest titles to come out of Europe are Cannon Fodder, Tomb Raider, Grand Theft Auto, The Witcher, Hitman: Absolution, Just Cause 3, and GreedFall.
That's not forgetting Gothic, Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice, Crusader Kings II, Europa Universalis IV, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, and Metro 2033, which can be played across a range of platforms and devices, including PCs, consoles, tablets, smartphones, and dedicated handheld gaming devices.
The European gaming industry generates significant opportunities for employment, and the revenue generated here from this sector is always on the rise
The region is always willing to embrace the latest innovations to help grow the industry and push the boundaries of what is possible in this sector.
Although there are still many challenges to overcome, the European gaming market is expected to exceed everyone's expectations over the coming years with heavy investment in research and development.
Some analysts have said that the market will continue to expand at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of between 10% and 12%.
Some of the most exciting areas of innovation that Europe is known for include branded games development, hyper-and hybrid-casual games, AR and VR game development, mid-core, and NFT game development.
Final thoughts
Europe has taken significant steps forward in recent years towards growing its gaming industry and raising its global profile, which is why it is now such a top destination for some of the world's most prominent players who now have bases in one or more of the region's major hubs.
The ever-maturing ecosystems for gaming companies here will continue to evolve, and the landscape will continue to become more hospitable for new companies looking to make their mark in the industry, with plenty of young and eager workers willing to fill the roles required to take the gaming industry to extraordinary new heights.
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