ReportDepartement Cultuur
Studie Vlaams Gamebeleid: Eindrapport
1 May 202567 pages~150 min full read
The Flemish game industry lacks a 'missing middle' of mid-sized companies, with growth concentrated among a few major players despite an increase in total studio numbers between 2020 and 2024.
See it on page 16To compete in the $187.7 billion global market, Flemish policy must shift from project-based subsidies toward business scaling and private capital access for the 2026–2030 period.
See it on page 49Existing support mechanisms like the VAF/Gamefonds and the Tax Shelter are currently insufficient to match the aggressive fiscal incentives offered by international competitors such as Canada and France.
See it on page 46The sector faces structural challenges including high production costs, difficulties in retaining intellectual property, and a lack of commercial focus despite strong local talent development.
See it on page 52Strategic priorities for the next five years include attracting foreign investment, enhancing international promotion, and establishing a centralized governance body to oversee industry development.
See it on page 3Future policy must prioritize business development over isolated project funding to mitigate brain drain and foster a more resilient, economically diverse gaming ecosystem.
See it on page 3The Flemish game industry stands at a critical juncture, requiring a strategic pivot from project-based support toward comprehensive business scaling and economic consolidation. While the sector has seen a rise in the number of studios between 2020 and 2024, growth remains heavily concentrated among a few major players, creating a fragile ecosystem characterized by a lack of mid-sized companies. To ensure long-term viability and competitiveness within the global market—which is currently valued at approximately 187.7 billion dollars—Flemish policy must evolve to address the "missing middle" by facilitating access to private capital and fostering entrepreneurial maturity.
Current support mechanisms, including the VAF/Gamefonds and the Tax Shelter, have been instrumental in initial development but are increasingly viewed as insufficient for the demands of international scaling. Global competition, driven by aggressive fiscal incentives in regions like Canada and France, necessitates a more robust and integrated financial instrumentarium. Stakeholders emphasize that while talent development remains a strength, the sector suffers from a lack of commercial focus, high production costs, and difficulties in retaining intellectual property. Consequently, there is a clear mandate to shift policy priorities toward attracting foreign investment, enhancing international promotion, and streamlining governance through a centralized strategic body.
Ultimately, the objective for the 2026–2030 period is to transition the Flemish games sector into a more stable, economically diverse industry. This requires a dual approach: optimizing existing public funding to better support commercial growth and implementing new, flexible economic tools that bridge the gap between early-stage prototyping and market-ready maturity. By aligning educational outputs with industry needs, fostering cross-sectoral collaboration, and prioritizing business development over isolated project subsidies, the region can mitigate the risks of brain drain and build a resilient, internationally recognized gaming hub.
