I Videogiochi in Italia nel 2016: Dati sul Mercato e sui Consumatori

The 2016 market analysis of the Italian video game industry, published by the trade association AESVI, provides a comprehensive overview of the sector’s economic performance and consumer demographics. The industry experienced a robust year, generating over 1.03 billion euros in total revenue, representing an 8.2% growth compared to 2015. This expansion was driven by positive trends across all primary segments, including software, hardware consoles, and accessories.

Software remains the dominant segment, accounting for 61.8% of total revenue with over 636 million euros in sales, a growth of 11.9% year-over-year. While physical software sales saw a slight decline of 1.1% due to the phasing out of older console generations, this was offset by a 32.8% surge in digital software, which now represents 45.6% of the total software market. Console hardware sales also grew by 2.3%, totaling over 307 million euros, with 98% of home console revenue attributed to eighth-generation platforms. Additionally, the accessories market grew by 3.7%, bolstered by the introduction of virtual reality headsets and steady demand for gamepads.

The report highlights a broad and diverse consumer base, with over 25 million Italians—approximately 50.2% of the population over age 14—identifying as gamers. The demographic is evenly split between men and women, with a significant concentration of players in the 25 to 55 age range. Gaming has become a highly social activity in Italy, with nearly 40% of players engaging with others, whether through local multiplayer or online connectivity. Data for this analysis was compiled by GfK using a combination of retail sales panels and consumer surveys, ensuring a representative view of the Italian market across both physical and digital channels.