Essential Video Game News: Market, Consumption, Use – France (February 2016)

Key insights

7 takeaways

01
The French video game market grew by 6% in 2015 to a total value of €2.8 billion, marking its second consecutive year of positive performance.See it on page 2
02
Software sales reached €1.6 billion (up 7%), while accessory sales hit a record €300 million, representing a 13% increase.See it on page 8
03
The transition to 8th-generation consoles drove market vitality, with 1.57 million units sold during 2015.See it on page 7
04
Gaming has achieved broad adoption in France, with 50% of the population playing, an average gamer age over 30, and near-equal gender parity.See it on page 15
05
Action, adventure, and first-person shooter titles dominated the market in both volume and value.See it on page 13
06
The video game sector is now France's second-largest cultural industry, trailing only the book market.See it on page 3
07
Industry growth in 2016 is expected to be driven by the integration of virtual reality technology and continued console software innovation.See it on page 13

Summary

The French video game industry experienced a period of sustained growth in 2015, marking the second consecutive year of positive performance with a 6% increase in total market value to €2.8 billion. This expansion was driven by a successful transition to 8th-generation consoles, which offset the decline in 7th-generation hardware sales. The market remains a top-three European sector, characterized by a shift toward digital resources and a diversifying consumer base. By 2015, one out of every two French citizens reported playing video games, with the average age of gamers rising above 30 and achieving near-equal gender parity.

Key financial findings highlight that software sales grew by 7% to €1.6 billion, while accessory sales reached a record high of over €300 million, reflecting a 13% increase. The industry’s transition to the 8th console cycle was a primary catalyst for this vitality, with 1.57 million 8th-generation home consoles sold during the year. Action and adventure titles, along with first-person shooters, dominated the market in terms of volume and value. The sector is increasingly viewed as a major cultural industry, second only to the book market in France, and is evolving through new business models, including e-sports and digital distribution.

The data, compiled by the Union of Video Game Publishers (SELL) using GfK and Gametrack/IPSOS research, is based on a panel survey of 1,002 individuals aged 10 to 65. Beyond market metrics, the industry emphasizes social responsibility, particularly through the mandatory implementation of the Pan-European Game Information (PEGI) rating system and the PédaGoJeux initiative, which provides guidance to parents regarding gaming content and screen time. Looking ahead, the industry anticipates continued growth in 2016, supported by the integration of virtual reality technology and ongoing innovation in console software.