ReportEuropean Games Developer Federation
Video Games – a Force for Good (2021)
1 Jan 202119 pages~25 min full read
The European video game market maintained a stable valuation of €23.3 billion in 2021, successfully sustaining the revenue gains achieved during the 2020 pandemic.
Digital sales dominate the industry, accounting for 81% of total revenue, with growth primarily driven by app-based gaming and in-game purchases.
The European player base grew by 6% in 2021 to encompass 52% of the total population, with an average player age of 31.3 years and a gender split of 48% women.
Average weekly playtime dropped to 9 hours in 2021, signaling a return to pre-pandemic engagement levels despite the increase in total player count.
Esports emerged as a high-growth sector, with global revenues exceeding $1 billion during the 2021 calendar year.
Industry-wide social and environmental initiatives include a workforce gender diversity rate of 22% and the implementation of the Games Consoles Voluntary Agreement to lower energy consumption.
The widespread adoption of PEGI age ratings and parental control tools resulted in a measurable decrease in unauthorized in-game spending by minors.
The 2021 Key Facts report, a joint publication by ISFE and EGDF, provides a comprehensive analysis of the European video game industry’s market performance, player demographics, and social impact. Covering the 2021 calendar year with comparative data from 2020, the report focuses on the European Union and broader European markets, including the United Kingdom. Data is derived from Ipsos, GameTrack, and Games Sales Data (GSD), utilizing surveys and retail tracking across more than 20 European nations.
The findings indicate a stable market valued at €23.3 billion, maintaining the significant revenue gains achieved during the 2020 pandemic lockdowns. While the total number of players grew by 6% to reach 52% of the European population, average weekly playtime decreased to 9 hours, returning to pre-pandemic levels. The digital ecosystem dominates the sector, accounting for 81% of total revenue, driven largely by app-based gaming and in-game extras. Demographically, the average player age is 31.3 years, and women represent nearly 48% of the total player base.
Beyond economic metrics, the report emphasizes the industry’s commitment to social responsibility and sustainability. It highlights the widespread adoption of the PEGI age rating system and the effectiveness of parental control tools, noting a significant decrease in unauthorized in-game spending by minors. The document also outlines industry-wide initiatives to improve workforce diversity, where women currently make up 22% of employees, and details environmental efforts such as the Green Game Jam and the Games Consoles Voluntary Agreement to reduce energy consumption. Finally, the report identifies esports as a high-growth segment, with global revenues surpassing $1 billion in 2021.
