Belgian Games Industry: Facts & Figures 2021

Key insights

6 takeaways

01
The Belgian games industry generated €88 million in turnover in 2021, representing an 8% year-over-year increase.See it on page 1
02
The number of active industry entities grew to 110 in 2021, up from 84 in 2020.See it on page 3
03
Full-time equivalent employment in the sector rose to 935 positions, an increase from 825 in the previous year.See it on page 2
04
The Brussels region experienced significant momentum with a 70% growth rate in its local gaming sector.See it on page 2
05
More than half of the identified companies have been in operation for over five years, indicating a stable market foundation.See it on page 3
06
PC remains the most profitable platform for local studios, while entertainment-oriented titles continue to dominate the market.See it on page 9

Summary

The Belgian games industry experienced significant expansion throughout 2021, characterized by robust growth in both infrastructure and economic output. The sector saw the number of active entities—comprising game studios, publishers, service providers, and incubators—climb to 110, representing a notable increase from the 84 organizations recorded in 2020. This organizational growth was mirrored by a rise in human capital, with full-time equivalent employment reaching 935 positions, up from 825 the previous year. Consequently, the industry generated a total turnover of €88 million, marking an 8% year-over-year increase.

Geographically, the industry maintains a diverse footprint across the nation. East Flanders continues to serve as the primary hub for game companies, while the Brussels region demonstrated exceptional momentum with a 70% growth rate in its local sector. The distribution of companies remains spread across various provinces, including Antwerp, West Flanders, and Walloon Brabant, reflecting a decentralized but active ecosystem. Maturity within the market is also evident, as more than half of the identified companies have been in operation for over five years, suggesting a stable foundation for long-term development.

Strategic focus remains heavily concentrated on entertainment-oriented titles, which continue to dominate the market as the largest category. Regarding technical development, PC remains the most profitable platform for local studios. The data reflects a refined scope that focuses exclusively on professional game studios, publishers, service providers, and accelerators, ensuring a targeted analysis of the industry’s core commercial participants. These findings underscore a period of sustained professionalization and economic scaling for the Belgian gaming landscape.