Games Monitor: The Netherlands 2018 The Games Monitor 2018 provides a comprehensive analysis of the Dutch video games industry, tracking its evolution and maturation between 2015 and 2018. The industry is defined by companies whose core activities involve the development, production, publication, or distribution of electronic games, categorized into entertainment and applied (serious) games. The research methodology combined desk research with a survey of 165 companies, supplemented by industry roundtable discussions to validate findings.
The Dutch games sector experienced accelerated growth during the 2015–2018 period, characterized by an average annual job increase of 10 percent. By the end of 2018, the industry comprised 575 companies and 3,850 jobs, generating an estimated annual turnover of €225–300 million. While the average company size remains small at approximately seven employees, there is a clear trend toward scaling up, evidenced by a significant increase in mid-sized firms employing between 11 and 100 people. Geographically, the industry is concentrated in major urban centers, with Amsterdam, Utrecht, and Eindhoven accounting for over 60 percent of net job growth.
Market dynamics show a strong expansion in entertainment game development, which grew by 33 percent, while the applied games sector—primarily serving healthcare, education, and government—has stabilized. Business models in the entertainment sector rely heavily on premium monetization and in-app advertising, whereas applied studios frequently utilize work-for-hire models. The educational landscape remains robust, with 44 game-related study programs producing over 900 graduates annually. Overall, the industry is transitioning toward a more mature, competitive state, marked by increased productivity, strategic acquisitions, and international expansion.
