Herní průmysl ČR 2021

The Czech game development industry experienced significant growth and resilience throughout 2021, characterized by a steady expansion in both workforce size and the number of active studios. The sector reached a total of 2,074 employees by the end of 2021, representing a 17.4% increase from the previous year. This upward trajectory in human capital is supported by a robust pipeline of new studio formations, with 12 new entities established in 2020 alone. Despite the global challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, 44% of studios reported a positive impact on their operations, while 38% noted neutral or no significant effects, underscoring the industry's adaptability.

Geographically, the industry remains highly concentrated, with 53% of studios based in Prague, followed by Brno at 24% and Ostrava at 5%. The ecosystem is predominantly composed of small-to-medium enterprises, as 73% of companies employ fewer than 10 people, and 90% are domestically owned. The workforce is characterized by a high degree of specialization, with 84% of employees being male and a significant portion of the talent pool under the age of 30. Educationally, the sector relies heavily on informal learning, with 67.7% of developers utilizing online resources to hone their skills, supplemented by peer-to-peer knowledge sharing.

Operational efficiency is driven by a high reliance on outsourcing, with 75% of studios utilizing external services, particularly for music, sound design, and game design. Conversely, 27% of studios provide outsourcing services to others, primarily focusing on quality assurance and production. The industry maintains a strong international outlook, as evidenced by the fact that 33% of the workforce consists of foreign nationals. With 58 games released in 2021 and 182 titles currently in development, the Czech gaming sector continues to solidify its position as a dynamic and export-oriented segment of the national economy.