AEVI was established in 2014 as the unified industry body representing companies controlling over 90% of Spain’s video game distribution market, including major publishers like Sony, Nintendo, Microsoft, and Ubisoft.
Spain is a top-five European and top-ten global gaming market with 19 million players, generating €762 million in total consumer spending during 2013.
The 2013 market revenue comprised €401 million in software, €275 million in hardware, and €86 million in accessories, with physical sales declines slowing to 7%.
Piracy remains a critical economic challenge, costing the sector €284 million in 2013 with estimates suggesting that its elimination could create approximately 26,600 new jobs.
Industry regulatory efforts are currently focused on the PEGI self-rating system and pending legislative reforms to the Penal Code and Intellectual Property Law.
Gaming demographics in Spain show high penetration, with 62% of minors playing regularly and 24% of the adult population participating in the market.
AEVI is positioning Madrid as a key international industry hub by organizing major events such as the Madrid Games Week.
AEVI was created in 2014 to replace aDeSe and to serve as the unified voice of Spain’s video‑game ecosystem, encompassing publishers, developers, distributors and related agents. Its core mission is to promote domestic industry growth, attract investment, defend intellectual‑property rights and foster a sustainable, responsible market that highlights the sector’s cultural and innovative value.
The association now gathers companies that control more than 90 % of the national distribution market, including major global publishers such as Activision‑Blizzard, Nintendo, Sony, Electronic Arts, Ubisoft and Microsoft Iberia, as well as the first development member, Novarama. Industry data indicate that Spain ranks among the top five European and top ten global gaming markets, with 19 million players across all platforms. In 2013 total consumer spending reached €762 million—software €401 million, hardware €275 million and accessories €86 million—despite a 7 % decline in physical sales that nevertheless halved the previous years’ downturn. Adult participation stands at 24 % while 62 % of minors play regularly.
Regulatory focus centers on the PEGI self‑rating system, introduced in 2003, and on pending legislative reforms to the Penal Code and Intellectual‑Property Law aimed at curbing piracy, which cost the sector €284 million in 2013 and, if eliminated, could generate roughly 26 600 new jobs. AEVI also promotes major events, notably the second edition of Madrid Games Week in October 2014, positioning the capital as a key venue on the international exhibition circuit and providing a forum for industry debate.
