Country & Regional Reports

Reports in the Country & Regional Reports category.

31 documents

European Key Facts 2023

This analysis provides a comprehensive overview of the European video game sector in 2023, detailing market health, player demographics, and regulatory priorities. The industry demonstrated resilience with annual revenues reaching €25.7 billion, representing a 5% year-on-year increase. Employment also saw significant growth, with the workforce expanding by nearly 7% to reach approximately 115,000 people across Europe. The data reveals that video games are a mainstream cultural fixture, with 53% of the European population aged 6–64 identifying as players. Contrary to youth-centric stereotypes, the average player age is 31.4 years, and 75% of the gaming population are adults. Women represent 43.5% of the total player base, averaging 6.7 hours of play per week. While smartphones remain the most popular platform (68%), consoles (56%) and PCs (46%) maintain significant engagement. Despite the rise of digital media, average weekly playtime has remained stable for over a decade at approximately 8.9 hours. A central thesis of the findings is the industry’s commitment to social responsibility and self-regulation. The Pan European Game Information (PEGI) system celebrated 20 years of operation, with 79% of parents aware of its ratings and 62% actively using parental tools to manage gameplay. Furthermore, the industry is increasingly focused on sustainability and diversity, noting that 44% of new hires in regions like Sweden are women and highlighting energy-saving agreements that have saved 54 TWh of electricity over the lifetime of major consoles. The geographic scope covers the European Union and broader European markets, utilizing data from Ipsos, GameTrack, and Games Sales Data (GSD). Methodology includes online polling of 60,000 individuals across major markets, calibrated by nationally representative face-to-face surveys. Looking forward, the industry advocates for EU policy that recognizes video games as unique creative works, supports a robust talent pipeline through STEAM education, and maintains a fair regulatory framework that avoids distorting the single market.

market-analysis player-demographics employment+1

Video Games EuropeJan 2023

Report

Female Gamers in Asia: Version for Women in Games Asia Panel

Female gamers represent a primary engine of growth within the Asian interactive entertainment market, accounting for 35% of the region's 1.46 billion total gamers as of 2021. This demographic is expanding at a faster rate than the general gaming population, with a year-over-year growth of 7.6% compared to the total market increase of 5.0%. The scope of this analysis covers China and the Asia-10 markets, which include Chinese Taipei, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Data was derived from a 2021 survey of over 6,500 randomized respondents who identified as active gamers across mobile, PC, and console platforms. Mobile gaming is the dominant platform for this demographic, utilized by 95% of female gamers, while 60% engage with PC games and 17% use consoles. In terms of genre, female players in Asia show a strong preference for role-playing, racing, and strategy games. Discovery of new titles is primarily driven by social recommendations from friends, followed by the visual quality of graphics and core gameplay mechanics. Monetization trends indicate that female gamers are highly engaged with in-game economies, with 84% of those willing to spend making in-game purchases. They are particularly inclined toward purchasing cosmetic items and participating in gacha mechanics. In 2021, female gamer spending reached $13.07 billion in China and $5.52 billion across the Asia-10 for mobile titles, while PC game spending reached $9.70 billion and $3.93 billion in those respective regions. These findings suggest that gender inclusivity and targeted development for diverse interests are essential for capturing the full economic potential of the Asian games industry.

player-demographics market-analysis diversity-inclusion+1

Niko PartnersOct 2022

Report

Key Insights Into German Gamers

Germany represents a significant pillar of the global gaming industry, ranking as the largest games market in the European Union and the fifth largest worldwide by revenue. As of 2022, the German gaming landscape is characterized by a high level of engagement, with 71% of the online population aged 10 to 65 identifying as game enthusiasts. This engagement extends beyond active play to include viewing gaming video content, social interaction, and community participation. The demographic profile of German players is nearly balanced by gender, consisting of 52% males and 48% females. While gaming is popular across all age groups, the 21-35 age bracket represents the largest segment at 31%. Motivation for play is primarily driven by the desire to relax and unwind, followed by the pursuit of achievement and social connection. Among the various gamer personas, Time Fillers and Mainstream Gamers are the most prevalent, reflecting a mix of casual mobile play and more dedicated multi-platform engagement. Platform preferences show that mobile gaming has the highest reach, utilized by 43% of the online population, followed by console and PC at 34% each. Despite the higher reach of mobile, PC and console players demonstrate higher average weekly play times, exceeding five hours. Popular titles in the market include Minecraft, Roblox, and Grand Theft Auto V, with Adventure and Action genres leading in popularity. Monetization remains strong, with 63% of players spending money on games. The primary driver for spending is the availability of sales or special offers, though a significant portion of consumers also pays to unlock exclusive content or to personalize their in-game experience. These findings are based on a 2022 survey of 2,057 online consumers in Germany, forming part of a broader global research initiative covering 36 markets.

market-analysis player-demographics germany+1

NewzooJan 2022

Report

State of Mobile 2022 Brazil

Brazil solidified its position as a global leader in mobile engagement throughout 2021, with users averaging 5.4 hours daily on apps, the highest rate in the world. This intense engagement fueled 10.3 billion new downloads and a 63% increase in consumer spending over two years, totaling $1.13 billion. The gaming sector acted as a primary catalyst for this expansion, contributing 4.5 billion downloads and $571 million in revenue. While Arcade and Action titles gained momentum, Free Fire remained a dominant force in the market, reflecting a strong national preference for the battle royale genre alongside short-form video platforms like TikTok. Beyond entertainment, the digital landscape underwent a structural shift toward financial and essential services. Finance app downloads surged by 91% over two years as a large underbanked population transitioned to neobanks such as Nubank and PicPay. This digital adoption extended to the retail and food sectors, where shopping app usage grew 45% year-over-year and food delivery sessions reached record peaks. International publishers captured over half of the shopping app market, signaling a highly competitive environment for domestic and overseas developers alike. Social engagement and utility apps also saw significant deepening of user habits. Social, photo, and video apps captured seventy percent of all mobile time, with live streaming and video-heavy communication driving record engagement. Health and fitness downloads rose 30% over two years, while the sports and travel sectors rebounded toward pre-pandemic levels. The diversification of the app economy was further evidenced by the rise of income-generating business tools and delivery driver platforms, illustrating that mobile devices have become central to both the personal lives and economic livelihoods of Brazilian consumers.

market-analysis mobile brazil+1

data.aiJan 2022

Report

Europe and Esports: High Engagement and Even Higher Potential

This analysis examines the European esports ecosystem, focusing on audience growth, consumer behavior, and market potential across ten Western and Northern European nations. Based on a survey of 10,175 esports viewers aged 18–45 conducted in mid-2020, the findings highlight a rapidly maturing market. The European audience was projected to reach 92 million by the end of 2020, a 7.4% year-over-year increase, with revenues expected to follow a trajectory toward $1.6 billion globally by 2023. A significant portion of the research addresses the impact of COVID-19, noting that stricter lockdown measures in countries like Spain and the United Kingdom directly correlated with increased viewership. Crucially, 55% of those who increased their viewing time during the pandemic intended to maintain those habits post-lockdown. The data also challenges demographic stereotypes: the most active enthusiasts are aged 21–25 rather than teenagers, and women represent 32% of the total audience. Notably, female viewers demonstrate high commercial value; 48% of the female audience purchased esports-related products in the previous year, outperforming the male audience in the physical merchandise category. Spending patterns reveal that 58% of esports enthusiasts invest in the ecosystem, prioritizing team-specific digital merchandise and cosmetic in-game items. The relationship between traditional sports and esports is also strengthening, particularly in soccer-centric markets. With 64% of esports viewers identifying as traditional sports fans, there is significant interest in established clubs like Real Madrid and FC Barcelona expanding their digital presence. Ultimately, the findings suggest that as esports continues to innovate in monetization and audience engagement, it offers an increasingly valuable platform for both endemic and non-endemic brands to reach a highly active, diverse consumer base.

market-analysis esports player-demographics+1

PayPalJan 2020

Report

Asia Spotlight Report: The Impact of COVID-19 on China’s Video Game Market in Q1 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns in early 2020 catalyzed an unprecedented surge in China’s video game market. Total game revenue across all platforms in Q1 2020 is estimated to have grown 30% compared to the previous year. This growth was driven by a massive shift toward home-based entertainment during a 77-day quarantine in Wuhan and a nationwide lockdown lasting approximately two months. Findings are based on market data and an April 2020 survey of 1,057 Chinese gamers, supplemented by first-hand accounts from industry executives within the quarantine zones. Mobile gaming experienced record highs in downloads and in-app purchases, with 97.2% of surveyed gamers reporting increased playtime. While casual games saw a significant rise in monthly revisit rates, the sector faced a decline in advertising revenue as brands reduced spending. PC gaming also saw a resurgence, with 94.6% of respondents increasing their play hours and Steam reaching a global peak of 18.8 million concurrent users. However, the internet cafe sector suffered severely; all 133,000 venues were closed, and 57% of regular users indicated they may not return due to health concerns or a newfound preference for home gaming. The report highlights a broader cultural shift as gaming became a primary social outlet and anxiety-relief tool. Approximately 75% of respondents experimented with new platforms, and 63.4% noted that other household members, including parents and spouses, increased their gaming activity. Esports and livestreaming also benefited, with over 60% of gamers spending more time watching digital competitions. Despite these gains, the industry faced logistical hurdles, including the total halt of console manufacturing in February, delays in global AAA software development due to outsourcing disruptions, and the migration of professional esports tournaments to online-only formats. Market dominance remained concentrated among major publishers, specifically Tencent and NetEase. Titles such as Honor of Kings and League of Legends maintained top rankings across mobile, PC, and streaming platforms. Looking forward, the industry anticipates a lasting impact on social attitudes toward gaming, though potential hardware shortages and a global recession pose risks to the launch of next-generation consoles.

market-analysis player-behavior china+2

Niko PartnersJan 2020

Report

The State of the Finnish Game Industry 2020

The Finnish game industry solidified its position as a cornerstone of the national economy in 2020, maintaining a turnover exceeding €2 billion for the sixth consecutive year. Despite a slight contraction in the total number of active studios to approximately 200, the sector experienced a maturation phase characterized by increased revenue stability and a rise in high-performing firms. With 46 studios now generating over €1 million annually and a collective net profit surpassing €500 million, the industry demonstrated remarkable resilience against the operational disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic. This economic strength is supported by a workforce of 3,600 professionals, with a persistent demand for hundreds of additional hires, reflecting a healthy, expanding ecosystem. The industry is currently undergoing a strategic transformation driven by technological shifts toward cloud gaming, artificial intelligence, and Games as a Service models. While developers benefit from a robust network of public funding, private investment, and professional associations, they face mounting pressures from market consolidation, rising user acquisition costs, and regulatory fragmentation. To remain competitive in a saturated global market, Finnish studios are increasingly prioritizing data-driven design, social integration, and the development of strong intellectual property. This shift is accompanied by a positive trend in workforce diversification, with female representation reaching 22 percent. The Finnish landscape remains defined by a diverse array of entities, ranging from global mobile giants like Supercell and Rovio to specialized indie developers and B2B service providers. These companies successfully balance creative autonomy with sustainable business practices, leveraging both original IP and work-for-hire models. By integrating emerging roles such as content creators and streamers into the development lifecycle, the industry continues to evolve, ensuring that Finnish studios maintain their significant footprint in the global digital entertainment market through innovation in mobile, console, and emerging technology platforms.

market-analysis game-development finland

Neogames FinlandJan 2020