White Paper Catalan Video Game Industry 2023

Llibre Blanc de la Indústria Catalana del Videojoc 2022

The 2022 white paper evaluates the state of Catalonia’s video‑game sector, arguing that while the region has become an increasingly attractive hub for development, persistent structural constraints—particularly in talent supply and financing—limit its growth potential. By mapping the ecosystem’s performance against recent trends, the analysis highlights the urgent need for coordinated policy action to sustain the momentum generated by recent investment inflows. A striking 59 % of Catalan studios report difficulty recruiting qualified personnel, a proportion that, although lower than in 2019‑2020, remains markedly high. Financing emerges as the foremost ongoing obstacle, closely followed by challenges in attracting and retaining skilled staff and the absence of competitive fiscal incentives. Despite these constraints, foreign direct investment surged, with five new projects injecting €39.5 million into the local economy and creating 377 jobs, representing a 32 % year‑on‑year increase in employment opportunities within the sector. The findings suggest that reinforcing fiscal support mechanisms, expanding specialised training programmes, and fostering stronger links between academia and industry are essential to convert Catalonia’s investment appeal into durable, high‑value growth. Strengthening these levers would not only alleviate the talent bottleneck but also enhance the region’s capacity to attract further capital, positioning Catalonia as a leading European centre for video‑game development in the medium term.