The Belgian Games Industry: Facts and Figures 2020

Key insights

7 takeaways

01
The Belgian games industry generated €82 million in turnover in 2020, marking a 17% year-over-year increase.See it on page 2
02
The sector is composed of 84 registered companies, with 67 operating as developer studios and a majority classified as micro-entities or solo developers.See it on page 7
03
Industry growth remains strong, with 60% of firms projecting continued revenue increases and 47% planning to expand their full-time headcount.See it on page 2
04
Entertainment software dominates the market at 76% of total output, with the remainder focused on educational and serious games.See it on page 10
05
The industry is geographically concentrated in Flanders, followed by Brussels and Wallonia, and employs a total of 825 professionals.See it on page 5
06
Development is platform-diverse, led by PC and Mac, followed by console, mobile, and a meaningful segment of virtual and augmented reality projects.See it on page 9
07
Nearly half of all active companies have been in operation for at least five years, reflecting a maturing market that is increasingly seeking institutional support through tax shelter mechanisms.See it on page 2

Summary

The Belgian games industry demonstrated notable resilience and growth during 2020, characterized by an overall turnover of €82 million, representing a 17% increase compared to the previous year. This performance highlights a maturing sector, as nearly half of all active companies have been in operation for five years or longer. The industry remains optimistic regarding future expansion, with 60% of firms anticipating continued revenue growth and 47% planning to increase their full-time equivalent headcount in the coming year.

The ecosystem is primarily composed of small-scale enterprises, with micro-entities and solo developers accounting for the vast majority of the 84 registered companies. Developer studios represent the dominant business model, comprising 67 of the total firms, while service providers, incubators, and publishers make up the remainder. Geographically, the industry is concentrated in Flanders, which hosts the largest share of companies, followed by Brussels and Wallonia. The sector maintains a strong focus on entertainment software, which accounts for 76% of output, though educational and serious games continue to occupy a significant niche.

Technologically, the industry maintains a diverse development portfolio, with PC and Mac platforms leading the market, closely followed by console and mobile development. Virtual and augmented reality projects also represent a meaningful segment of the production landscape. As the industry evolves, there is a clear trend toward institutional support, evidenced by a growing demand for tax shelter mechanisms to sustain long-term project viability. Despite fluctuations in total employment figures, which reached 825 in 2020, the sector maintains a stable foundation for continued development across the Belgian landscape.