White Paper on Spanish Videogame Development 2023: Executive Summary

The Spanish video game industry has evolved into a significant economic force, characterized by a decade of rapid expansion and increasing institutional recognition. As of 2023, the sector comprises 790 active studios, with operations heavily concentrated in the hubs of Catalonia and Madrid. This growth trajectory is evidenced by a total revenue of 1.383 billion euros in 2022, representing a 440% increase over the previous ten years. Direct employment has similarly surged to 9,261 professionals, supported by a workforce that now includes 26% female representation. Despite this progress, the industry remains fragmented, with a high density of small studios alongside a growing number of large firms that drive the majority of the sector’s economic output.

Strategic development remains contingent upon addressing structural challenges, most notably a persistent talent gap, as 55% of studios report difficulties in recruiting qualified personnel. To sustain momentum, the industry requires enhanced specialized training programs and more robust public financial support. Policy interventions, specifically the expansion of tax incentives for production and mechanisms to encourage multinational reinvestment, are identified as essential catalysts for future scaling.

If these strategic measures are implemented effectively, the sector is projected to undergo a transformative period of growth by 2030. Projections indicate that such support could quadruple annual turnover to 5.5 billion euros and more than double the total workforce to over 23,000 jobs. By leveraging its status as a recognized cultural industry, the Spanish video game ecosystem is well-positioned to transition from a period of foundational development into a phase of high-impact international competitiveness, provided that institutional collaboration and targeted fiscal policies remain at the forefront of the national agenda.