White Paper on Game Education and Game Industry Skill Building

Key insights

6 slides

The core issue

The European games industry faces a critical talent shortage.

This shortage is caused by a misalignment between academic curricula and the requirements of professional studios. Addressing this gap is vital for the sector's continued growth.

Underlying causes

Structural instability exacerbates the talent shortage in the games sector.

These factors impede the development of a sustainable workforce.

Like building a house on shifting sand, the industry's workforce development is unstable without consistent support and clear definitions.

Structural Issues. Structural instability in the sector is exacerbated by a reliance on short-term funding and a lack of standardized industry classifications.

Page 31 of the report — See it on page 31

Skill validation

Industry-specific competency frameworks must be adopted to validate skills for modern studio environments.

Frameworks like the Game Badges project and SNJV professional standards can define and validate required competencies. This ensures graduates possess relevant skills.

Like a common language for skills, these frameworks ensure everyone understands what's needed for a role.

Page 45 of the report — See it on page 45

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Summary

The European games industry serves as a vital economic and cultural engine, yet its continued growth is threatened by a persistent talent shortage and a misalignment between academic curricula and professional requirements. To secure the sector’s future, a standardized, multidisciplinary educational framework is necessary to bridge the gap between early childhood interest and professional practice. This initiative requires a holistic approach that spans the entire educational pipeline, integrating game-based learning into formal schooling while fostering robust, lifelong learning opportunities for established professionals.

Structural challenges, including reliance on short-term funding and the absence of standardized industry-specific classifications, currently impede the development of a sustainable workforce. Addressing these issues requires formalizing game education as an independent academic discipline supported by dedicated research funding and standardized accreditation. By implementing frameworks like the Game Badges project and the SNJV professional standards, the industry can better define and validate the competencies required for modern studio environments. Furthermore, strengthening collaboration between academic institutions and private studios through internships, entrepreneurship support, and shared resources is essential to ensure that graduates possess the practical skills demanded by the fast-paced market.

Long-term sustainability also depends on inclusive policies that remove barriers for underrepresented groups and facilitate the retention of international talent. Governments must play a central role by providing targeted financial instruments for startups and creating national platforms for professional training. By fostering cooperation across European markets and establishing centralized educational resources, the industry can mitigate the impact of talent displacement and ensure a diverse, resilient workforce. Ultimately, aligning educational outcomes with the evolving needs of the sector will transform the European games industry into a more competitive and innovative global leader.