Fifth Biennial Census of the Italian Video Game Sector

The Fifth Biennial Census of the Italian Video Game Sector, conducted by the Italian Interactive Digital Entertainment Association (IIDEA), provides a comprehensive analysis of the growth and maturation of the Italian game development industry. Based on an online survey of domestic studios and freelancers conducted between February and April 2021, the study highlights a significant expansion in the sector’s workforce and organizational scale. The industry now employs over 1,600 professionals across approximately 160 studios, representing a notable increase from the 1,100 professionals recorded in 2018.

The findings indicate a shift toward greater corporate maturity, with 73% of firms operating for more than four years. The composition of the industry has evolved, as the proportion of small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) with ten or more employees has risen to one-third of the total, while the share of microenterprises has declined. Development remains focused primarily on PC (41%), followed by mobile (27%) and console (22%), with Action/Adventure, Arcade, and Puzzle games serving as the most prevalent genres.

Financially, the sector is heavily export-oriented, with 94% of revenue generated from international markets, particularly Europe and North America. While self-financing remains the primary funding model for 93% of respondents, there has been a marked increase in the utilization of external capital, including publisher support, public funding, and banking institutions. This diversification in financing reflects growing investor and institutional confidence in the capabilities of Italian developers. With 79% of the workforce under the age of 36, the sector maintains a youthful demographic profile while simultaneously establishing a more stable and professionalized business foundation.