Key insights
6 slides
Key number
Belgian game sales reached €698 million in 2024.
Video game software and hardware sales rose 12% from 2023 to reach €698 million in 2024.
1 / 6
- 01Belgian video game software and hardware sales rose 12% from 2023 to reach €698 million in 2024.See it on page 4
- 02Belgium counted 6.2 million gamers in 2024, with more than a third aged over 35, and adventure, puzzle, and shooter games were the most popular genres.See it on page 7
- 03Digital downloads accounted for 72% of full game sales in Belgium, lagging the worldwide average of around 85% digital, while physical software made up 28%.See it on page 4
- 04The PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch led Belgian hardware sales in 2024.See it on page 4
- 05Game development is concentrated in Flanders, which hosts the largest share of companies and most of the turnover, while Wallonia nearly doubled its turnover over the same period.See it on page 6
- 06A survey of 700 parents and caregivers found that 36% of Belgian children aged 4 to 17 play 7 to 15 hours weekly, and 80% of parents set a maximum playtime.See it on page 8
- 07Parental awareness of the PEGI age rating system (72%) and use of parental control tools (76%) are high, but only about half of parents feel well informed about in-game purchases.See it on page 8
Ask AI about this report
Summary
The "Time to Game" report, published in 2024 by the Video Games Federation Belgium, provides an overview of the Belgian video game industry, covering consumer spending, game development, player demographics, children's gameplay habits, and parental awareness of safety tools. Its primary aim is to present facts and figures alongside practical guidance for parents, educators, and players, positioning Belgium as a significant market while promoting responsible gameplay.
On the commercial side, video game software and hardware sales rose 12% from 2023 to reach €698 million in 2024. Physical software accounted for 28% of full game sales, with digital downloads making up 72%, a trend that lags the worldwide average of around 85% digital. The PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch led hardware sales. Among players, Belgium counted 6.2 million gamers in 2024, with more than a third aged over 35, and the most popular genres were adventure, puzzle, and shooter games. Development activity is concentrated in Flanders, which hosts the largest share of companies and the bulk of turnover, while Wallonia nearly doubled its turnover over the same period.
The report's findings on children are a central focus. Based on a survey of 700 parents and caregivers, it finds that 36% of Belgian children aged 4 to 17 play between 7 and 15 hours weekly, and 80% of parents set a maximum playtime. Awareness of the PEGI age rating system (72%) and use of parental control tools (76%) are high, though only about half of parents consider themselves well informed about in-game purchases.
