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La Fiscalidad en el Sector de los Videojuegos: España
The guide aims to clarify the tax framework that applies to video-game developers, publishers and related service providers operating in Spain, outlining both mandatory obligations and available fiscal incentives.
- Video game companies in Spain can access a 12% tax deduction for qualifying R&D+i expenses, which increases to 45% for projects developed in the Canary Islands.
- Start-ups meeting ENISA criteria qualify for a reduced 15% corporate tax rate for four years, along with exemptions from advance payments and deferred tax liabilities.
- The standard corporate income tax (IS) rate in Spain is 25%, while personal income tax (IRPF) for self-employed professionals ranges from 19% to 47%.
Global Games Forecasts 2025-2031
The analysis projects that the worldwide video-game market has entered a mature phase, with revenue expected to reach $236.9 billion in 2025 and to climb modestly to $280.1 billion by 2031.
- The global video-game market has entered a mature phase, with revenue projected to grow from $236.9 billion in 2025 to $280.1 billion by 2031 at a modest annual rate of 4–5 percent.
- Asia-Pacific remains the dominant market, accounting for 53 percent of the 1.53 billion global gamers in 2024 and showing the highest regional penetration at 13 percent.
- In-game spending, which currently accounts for 68 percent of software revenue, is expected to experience a slight decline to 67 percent by 2031 due to live-service market oversaturation.
10 Major Trends to Watch in Asia & MENA
The video game industry across Asia and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is undergoing a period of significant transformation as of 2025, driven by shifting player demographics and evolving monetization strategies.
- Asia and MENA are the primary engines of global gaming growth, driven by a mobile-first audience and a rising middle class with increased discretionary income.
- Government-backed investments in Saudi Arabia and the UAE are rapidly establishing these nations as central hubs for international esports and game development infrastructure.
- Market success in these regions now requires hyper-localization and the adoption of innovative payment ecosystems that bypass traditional storefront limitations.
The Global State of Game Publishing & Marketing 2025 Industry Report
The global game publishing market is entering a period of significant expansion, with revenues projected to rise from $117.4 billion in 2025 to $150.5 billion by 2030.
- The global game publishing market is projected to grow from $117.4 billion in 2025 to $150.5 billion by 2030, driven by a market where 95% of revenue is already generated through digital distribution.
- Multiplatform launches have increased by 40% as developers prioritize cross-platform strategies, which can boost total revenue by up to 40%.
- Live Service Games have become the industry standard, with 95% of studios now developing titles specifically designed for recurring revenue models.
Asian & MENA Markets: 2025 Half-Year Report
The video game markets across Asia and the Middle East are entering a period of recalibrated growth, with total revenues across key sub-regions projected to reach significant milestones by 2025.
- China remains the dominant regional market with projected 2025 revenues of $51.2 billion, supported by a 4.1% year-over-year increase and a 24% rise in government game approvals.
- India is the fastest-growing market, projected to exceed $1 billion in 2025 with 16.2% year-over-year growth following the PROG Act's shift toward traditional gaming and esports.
- The MENA-3 region (Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Egypt) has a revised growth forecast of 6.4%, as economic challenges in Egypt and slowing mobile growth in Saudi Arabia temper the impact of government-led localization efforts.
Games in India and China -Two Elephants in Two Rooms | BITKRAFT Summit 2024
The gaming landscapes of China and India represent two distinct developmental trajectories within the global market.
- China’s $50 billion gaming market, supported by 720 million players, is shifting its strategic focus from mobile dominance toward high-quality PC and console development for global export.
- India’s gaming sector is currently transitioning from a focus on low-cost live operations toward original game development and social gaming, driven by increased foreign direct investment and a wave of IPOs.
- The rapid integration of 5G technology and the UPI digital payment infrastructure in India is acting as a primary catalyst for the country's high-growth ecosystem.
Levelling Up: State of India Interactive Media & Gaming Research FY'24
The Indian interactive media and gaming market reached a valuation of $3.8 billion in FY24, representing a significant 30% share of the country’s broader $12.5 billion new media sector.
- The Indian interactive media and gaming market reached a $3.8 billion valuation in FY24 and is projected to grow at a 20% CAGR to exceed $9.2 billion by FY29.
- In-app purchase revenue grew 41% year-on-year, with the midcore segment serving as a primary growth driver after experiencing a 53% increase.
- India’s gaming population has reached 590 million, including 148 million paying users who now spend an average of 13 hours per week gaming, a 30% increase from previous metrics.
Social Sweeps, the $6B Gaming Category Hiding in Plain Sight
Social sweepstakes gaming has evolved from a niche concept into a significant $6 billion industry as of 2023, with projections indicating a doubling in value to $12 billion by 2025.
- The social sweepstakes gaming market reached a $6 billion valuation in 2023 and is projected to double to $12 billion by 2025.
- Operators bypass traditional real-money gambling regulations by bundling free-to-play currency with sweepstakes entries and providing alternative, non-purchase methods of entry.
- The industry is currently mobile-web-first, with 75% of total traffic originating from mobile browsers due to restrictive and uncertain app store policies.
Exploring Alternatives: Mobile Gaming’s Megatrend for 2025
Alternative distribution channels and app stores are emerging as a critical growth frontier for the mobile gaming industry heading into 2025.
- Nearly 70% of mobile users report they would utilize new discoverability features if they were available, highlighting a significant market demand for alternatives to traditional app stores.
- Alternative distribution channels, including preloads and on-device opportunities, are positioned as a primary growth driver for mobile gaming in 2025.
- Industry leaders are increasingly diversifying user acquisition strategies by treating web-based platforms, manufacturer-integrated stores, and non-traditional partnerships as essential components of a balanced marketing mix.
5 x Tactics for the Volatile PC/Console Gaming Market with Newzoo's Devan Brennan
The global gaming market is poised for a 2.1% year-over-year growth in 2024, signaling a recovery led by mobile gaming and the resilience of PC live-service titles.
- The global gaming market is projected to grow 2.1% year-over-year in 2024, with recovery driven by mobile gaming and resilient PC live-service titles.
- Console sector growth is currently stagnant due to a sparse AAA release schedule, but a significant market catalyst is expected in 2025 with the launch of Grand Theft Auto VI.
- Developers should prioritize PC and PlayStation in their roadmaps, as the value proposition of Xbox hardware is diminishing under its current cross-platform strategy.
two & a half gamers session #45 - (ironic) predictions 2023, is next year the end of sexists ads?
The mobile gaming industry faces a period of significant structural transition as traditional monetization models encounter headwinds from regulatory shifts and platform-level restrictions.
- Amazon Publisher Services is emerging as a top-tier mobile ad monetization network, frequently ranking third or fourth in impression volume due to strong e-commerce demand.
- Generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney are already being integrated into App Store Optimization (ASO) and creative workflows, with video generation AI expected to be a major industry disruptor in the coming year.
- The 'fake' playable ad trend, exemplified by games like 'Hero Wars' and 'Mighty Party' incorporating hyper-casual mechanics (e.g., 'Save the Dog') into their gameplay, is expected to see a rise in clones throughout 2023.
Session: How Dubai Plans to be a top 10 Gaming City by 2033 - Faisal Kazim, Dubai Future Foundation.
The Dubai Future Foundation is spearheading a strategic initiative to establish Dubai as a top-ten global gaming hub by 2033.
- Dubai aims to become a top-ten global gaming hub by 2033 as part of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33).
- The strategy shifts the region's focus from esports and event hosting to a sustainable ecosystem for game development and publishing.
- To attract international talent, the government has introduced a 10-year gaming visa for developers, designers, and animators.