I Videogiochi in Italia 2019: Dati sul Mercato e sui Consumatori

The Italian video game market demonstrated resilient growth in 2019, achieving a total turnover of 1.787 billion euros. This 1.7 percent increase was primarily fueled by a robust 7.3 percent rise in software sales, which effectively offset a natural contraction in hardware revenue as the industry prepared for the next generation of console hardware. Digital distribution channels emerged as a critical driver of this expansion, with digital downloads and mobile applications recording a significant 13.5 percent growth rate.

The industry maintains a substantial footprint in Italy, engaging 17 million individuals, or 39 percent of the population between the ages of 6 and 64. While mobile devices currently command the largest share of the user base, console players exhibit higher levels of weekly engagement. Action games remain the most popular genre across both PC and console platforms, reflecting a broad preference for interactive entertainment. Furthermore, the market displays a strong orientation toward family-friendly content, as 57 percent of software sales by value consist of titles rated for audiences aged 12 and under according to the PEGI classification system.

These findings, compiled by the Italian Interactive Digital Entertainment Association, illustrate a maturing market characterized by a shift toward digital consumption and a diverse, multi-generational player base. The data underscores the transition of video games from a niche hobby to a mainstream pillar of Italian media consumption, supported by consistent engagement across various hardware ecosystems and a strong demand for accessible, age-appropriate software.