Video Games Europe

Association

29 documents

Documents

European Key Facts 2023: Video Games Industry

The European video games industry is a significant cultural and economic driver, characterized by steady growth and a commitment to responsible gameplay. In 2023, the European market reached €25.7 billion in revenue, a 5% year-on-year increase. The sector employs approximately 115,000 people across Europe, with 90,000 based in the EU. This growth is supported by a diverse player base; 53% of the European population aged 6-64 plays video games, with an average player age of 31.4 years. Notably, 75% of players are adults, and women make up 43.5% of the total gaming population. The industry emphasizes a robust framework for minor protection and consumer transparency through the Pan European Game Information (PEGI) system. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, PEGI has issued nearly 40,000 age rating licenses across 40 countries. Awareness of these labels is high, with 79% of parents whose children play games recognizing the system. Furthermore, the industry actively promotes diversity and inclusion through various regional initiatives and addresses environmental sustainability via the Games Consoles Voluntary Agreement and the Playing for the Planet Alliance. To maintain global competitiveness, the industry advocates for a strategic EU policy framework. Key priorities include recognizing video games as unique creative works distinct from the audiovisual sector, addressing the digital skills gap through education and STEAM programs, and maintaining a fair regulatory environment that supports small and medium-sized enterprises. The data for these findings is derived from GameTrack and Games Sales Data (GSD) surveys conducted by Ipsos, involving a sample of 60,000 individuals across major European markets to ensure national representation.

market-analysis player-demographics employment+1

Video Games EuropeMar 2024

Legal

Call for Contributions - Competition in ‘Virtual Worlds’ and Generative Artificial Intelligence

Video Games Europe submits a focused perspective on competition in virtual worlds and generative artificial intelligence, emphasizing that both technologies are central to the European video‑games sector’s ongoing innovation and consumer value. The contribution argues that regulatory interventions should be proportionate, evidence‑based, and designed to preserve the sector’s dynamism, warning that premature or overly prescriptive rules could impede the development of diverse business models and emerging services. The analysis traces the evolution of virtual worlds from early networked games such as Mazewar (1974) through the rise of MMORPGs in the late 1990s and the recent popularity of platforms like Roblox, Fortnite and Animal Crossing, highlighting the sector’s historic reliance on immersive, persistent environments. Competition is described as vibrant, driven by talent, proprietary technologies, intellectual‑property access, data, AI advances, connectivity and net‑neutrality. Over 5,500 companies operated in the EU in 2021, with roughly 500 new developers entering the market that year, illustrating a high level of market entry and diversification. The response notes a shift toward open standards and interoperability, urging support for multilateral standard‑setting bodies while cautioning against mandatory interoperability mandates that could stifle innovation. Regarding generative AI, the text observes that the technology is still nascent in game production but promises substantial productivity gains by enabling rapid creation of assets such as 3D models, dialogue and sound effects. It identifies key competitive factors—algorithms, data, training infrastructure, bias mitigation, skilled labour and regulatory guardrails—and stresses that existing frameworks for text‑and‑data mining and the forthcoming AI Act should remain the basis for policy, avoiding additional legislative changes without thorough impact assessment. Overall, the contribution underscores that the EU’s existing antitrust tools, including the DMA, are sufficient to address competition concerns in these fast‑moving domains, provided they are applied with continued stakeholder engagement.

ai regulation europe+1

Video Games EuropeMar 2024

Report

Manifesto 2024-2029: Più di un (video)gioco

The manifesto articulates a strategic vision for positioning Europe as a leading global hub for video‑game development, emphasizing the sector’s unique blend of technology and creativity. It calls for coordinated EU‑wide actions to strengthen the talent pipeline, ensure transparent content acquisition, and protect the distinctive nature of games while integrating them responsibly into broader cultural and educational contexts. Central to the argument is the need to maintain an open, competitive market; any imposed taxes, fees, or distribution constraints are portrayed as threats to investment, innovation, and the integrity of the single European market. Key proposals include adapting the Creative Europe programme and extending the General Exemption Regulation to accommodate the specific requirements of video games, thereby aligning funding mechanisms with industry realities. The manifesto underscores the value of the PEGI rating system and co‑regulation, urging continued support for self‑regulatory frameworks that address consumer and business concerns swiftly. It advocates for comprehensive intellectual‑property safeguards, revised NACE codes to capture the sector’s economic contribution, and targeted funding through Horizon initiatives for mapping and skill‑gap analysis. The scope spans the entire European Union and its member states, covering policy, education, and market regulation for the video‑game industry over the 2024‑2029 horizon. While no quantitative survey data are presented, the text references a network of national associations and industry bodies, indicating broad stakeholder consultation. The overarching aim is to foster diversity, equality, inclusion, climate responsibility, and child‑protection within a thriving European gaming ecosystem.

market-forecast diversity-inclusion employment

Video Games EuropeMar 2024

Report

Video Games Europe Manifesto 2024-2029

Europe’s video‑game sector has expanded by 16 % between 2019 and 2024, now delivering €24 billion in revenue and employing roughly 110 000 highly‑skilled workers. More than half of the continent’s gamers are under 20 years old, and nearly half of parents rely on the PEGI age‑rating system to ensure safe play. The industry’s dual nature—combining advanced technology with creative content—underpins a call for EU‑level measures that preserve an open, tax‑free single market, extend the Creative Europe programme, apply the General Exemption Regulation to games, and reinforce intellectual‑property protection while investing in digital‑skill education, particularly STEM pathways for girls. The PEGI framework, supported by co‑regulation, has already classified around 40 000 titles across 40 European countries, halving non‑compliance penalties and cutting energy‑consumption violations by roughly 20 %. Nevertheless, the sector faces a regulatory load of 850 new EU obligations (over 5 000 pages of rules) introduced between 2017 and 2022. A shift toward transparent self‑regulation is advocated, emphasizing clearer in‑game purchase disclosures, stronger parental‑control tools, and EU‑wide educational programmes to close digital‑skills gaps and attract diverse talent. Safety‑by‑design requirements now obligate all publishers to integrate PEGI‑based age classification, parental‑control portals, chat moderation, purchase limits and time‑spending caps, reflecting the predominance of minors among players. The climate‑and‑inclusion agenda shows progress: women represent 23.7 % of the video‑game workforce, surpassing the 17 % share in the broader ICT sector, and industry members are adopting gender‑equality guidelines and green initiatives such as the Green Game Jam. Coordinated self‑regulation, targeted public funding, and unified online‑safety strategies are presented as essential to sustain economic contribution, foster innovation, and position Europe as the leading hub for socially responsible game development.

market-analysis player-demographics diversity-inclusion+1

Video Games EuropeJan 2024

Report

Europe's Video Game Industry 2023 Facts & Figures

The European video game industry continues to demonstrate significant cultural and economic reach, with 52 percent of the continent's population engaging in gaming activities. This high level of participation underscores the medium's transition from a niche hobby to a mainstream pillar of entertainment across diverse demographics. The data reflects a broad geographic scope covering the European market throughout 2023, illustrating a stable and mature ecosystem that appeals to more than half of the total population. The findings highlight a balanced engagement across various industry segments, including mobile, console, and PC gaming. While specific revenue figures and hardware sales fluctuate, the consistent player base suggests a resilient demand for interactive digital content. This widespread adoption is driven by the increasing accessibility of games and the social connectivity they provide, which has become a primary motivator for users across different age groups and backgrounds. Methodologically, these statistics are derived from comprehensive market analysis and consumer surveys conducted across major European territories. The results indicate that the industry serves as a vital component of the digital economy, fostering innovation and providing significant employment opportunities within the region. As the player base remains robust, the industry is positioned for continued integration into the broader media landscape, reflecting a permanent shift in how Europeans consume entertainment and interact with technology.

market-analysis player-demographics europe

Video Games EuropeJan 2024

Legal

Video Games Europe: Position on the Right-to-Repair Directive Proposal

Video Games Europe endorses the European Commission’s draft Directive on common rules promoting the repair of goods, framing the initiative as essential to the EU’s green transition and to more sustainable consumption of electronic products. The organization argues that the gaming sector, which generated €23.3 billion in revenue in 2020, employs around 90 000 people and reaches roughly 250 million European players—over half of whom use consoles—has already established effective repair and refurbishment practices that should inform the legislation. The core recommendation is that a replacement with a refurbished console be treated as equivalent to a repair, reflecting the voluntary agreement among major console makers (Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo) that provides authorised repair centres, a stock of refurbished units, and a typical repair turnaround of less than 14 working days. This approach is presented as both cost‑effective for consumers—repairs or refurbished replacements cost well below a new unit—and beneficial for the circular economy. The paper opposes the parliamentary proposal for mandatory loaned replacements during repairs, citing logistical complexity, fraud risk, and additional environmental burdens from extra shipping. It also welcomes the Commission’s decision to avoid fixed maximum repair times, preferring the “reasonable period of time” standard from Directive (EU) 2019/771, and supports retaining the current two‑year legal guarantee, noting that extending it would yield only 0.3 % CO₂ savings and negligible waste reduction over 15 years while imposing higher costs on firms. A market‑based pricing regime for repairs is advocated, arguing that price controls would channel demand to manufacturers and marginalise independent repairers. The organization cautions against expanding the scope to include batteries or imposing direct producer liability, recommending that such matters be addressed within the existing Batteries Regulation and consumer‑protection framework to avoid legal uncertainty. Overall, the submission seeks to align the right‑to‑repair rules with proven industry practices, ensuring environmental objectives are met without compromising consumer convenience or market competition.

regulation europe market-analysis

Video Games EuropeAug 2023

Legal

Video Games Europe: Contribution on Ecodesign for Sustainable Products

The submission aims to shape the European Commission’s new ecodesign priorities by presenting the video‑games sector’s perspective on durability, repairability and the risks of imposing uniform horizontal requirements across ICT products. It argues that the industry already contributes to the EU green transition through initiatives such as the UNEP‑facilitated Playing for the Planet Alliance and the Games Console Voluntary Agreement, which embed resource‑efficiency, recyclability and out‑of‑warranty repair provisions for consoles. The sector stresses that any additional measures should build on these existing frameworks rather than create overlapping regulations. Key observations highlight the diversity of ICT devices—consoles, PCs, laptops, tablets, smartphones, TVs and printers—and note that their functional and technical differences make a one‑size‑fits‑all approach impractical. Standardising components or limiting material counts, the response warns, could curb innovation, diminish spill‑over benefits to fields such as healthcare and AI, and restrict creative freedom for developers. It also stresses the need for safeguards protecting intellectual‑property rights and consumer safety when sharing repair information, given the reliance on proprietary diagnostic tools and trusted‑platform modules. The commentary points out that durability, labelling and repair‑information requirements are already covered by the EU Sales of Goods Directive (2021) and the forthcoming Right‑to‑Repair proposal, and that new horizontal rules could generate legal uncertainty. The sector’s scope encompasses the European market, representing roughly 5,000 studios, over 98 000 employees and a 2021 turnover of €23.3 billion, serving more than 135 million players across 18 countries. The response, submitted in May 2023, draws on existing voluntary agreements and industry data rather than a formal survey.

regulation europe market-analysis

Video Games EuropeMay 2023

Legal

The Future of the Electronic Communications Sector and Its Infrastructure – Video Games Europe Reply

Video Games Europe argues that imposing network fees on high‑bandwidth users would harm consumers, the broader Internet ecosystem and the European video‑games sector. The contribution to the European Commission’s exploratory consultation stresses that such fees are legally, technically and practically untenable, and directly conflict with the net‑neutrality principle enshrined in the Open Internet Regulation. It contends that content and application providers (CAPs) do not “free‑ride” on telecom infrastructure; instead, they generate demand that fuels competition and investment in connectivity, creating a mutually reinforcing virtuous cycle that benefits both ISPs and end‑users. The position paper highlights several concrete concerns. First, mandatory contributions would add a financial burden to video‑game publishers already obliged under the Digital Content Directive to deliver frequent updates and security patches, potentially requiring costly deep‑packet inspection to differentiate fee‑eligible traffic. Second, the introduction of traffic‑based fees threatens the equal treatment of data flows, jeopardising net neutrality and prompting opposition from civil‑society groups and a large cohort of European Parliament members. Third, the sector points to evidence from BEREC and ETNO that data‑traffic growth has not translated into proportional energy consumption, thanks to efficiency gains and renewable‑energy adoption; cloud‑based delivery models further reduce carbon footprints by limiting unnecessary downloads and hardware upgrades. Scope-wise, the analysis covers the European Union’s electronic‑communications market as of 2023, focusing on the video‑games industry, which comprises roughly 5,100 studios and publishers, generates an estimated €12 billion in annual turnover, employs over 90 000 people and recorded €23 billion in consumer spending in 2021. The contribution draws on industry membership data, BEREC sustainability reports and internal assessments rather than a formal survey, reflecting the collective view of 19 major publishers and national trade associations across 15 EU countries. The overarching conclusion is that network fees are unnecessary, would diminish Europe’s digital competitiveness, and could impede environmental progress, urging policymakers to preserve the current open‑Internet framework.

regulation europe cloud-gaming+1

Video Games EuropeMay 2023

Legal

Initiative on Virtual Worlds: A Head Start Towards the Next Technological Transition

The response aims to shape EU policy on virtual worlds and the emerging metaverse by presenting the video games sector’s perspective, emphasizing that the concept remains fluid and should not be prematurely defined. It argues that existing EU digital legislation—covering consumer protection, competition, data protection, and cybersecurity—already applies to virtual environments, and that imposing legal interoperability at this early stage would hinder innovation. The submission stresses the strategic importance of digital‑skills education, urging a holistic pipeline from primary schools to higher education and the removal of immigration barriers to attract global talent. Historical evidence shows that virtual worlds have long existed in games, from the 1974 MazeWar prototype to contemporary platforms such as Roblox, Fortnite and Animal Crossing, demonstrating their role in fostering social capital and community resilience, especially during the COVID‑19 pandemic. Empirical data underline the sector’s economic weight: European consumer spending reached €23 billion in 2021, the industry comprises over 5,100 studios, generates more than €12 billion in annual turnover and employs roughly 90 000 people. A forecast for Sweden predicts a shortfall of 25 000 game developers by 2031, highlighting a broader talent gap across the EU. The text calls for expanded public‑funding mechanisms—Horizon Europe, Digital Europe, InvestEU—and the inclusion of video games in the General Block Exemption Regulation to enable SMEs to access support. It also advocates for greater awareness of existing R&I schemes, stronger public‑private partnerships, and the preservation of unlicensed spectrum for Wi‑Fi to sustain network capacity, noting that current fixed‑line and mobile traffic growth rates have stabilized below 20 % and 10 % respectively. Overall, the submission positions the video games industry as a catalyst for Europe’s digital transition while urging measured, standards‑based regulation that respects market dynamics.

metaverse europe market-analysis+1

Video Games EuropeMay 2023

Legal

Video Games Europe & EGDF: Position on the Product Liability Directive Review

Video games and their developers argue that the European Commission’s proposal to revise the Product Liability Directive (PLD) would unjustly broaden liability by treating standalone software, including video games, as generic “products.” The core thesis is that video games are complex cultural works comprising software, music, narrative, graphics and user‑generated content, and therefore should not be subject to the strict, no‑fault liability regime designed for high‑risk physical goods. The position stresses that existing legal frameworks—such as the Computer Programs Directive, the 2001/21/EC Copyright Directive, the Digital Content Directive, the GDPR, and consumer‑rights legislation—already provide adequate protection, while the proposed PLD amendment would create legal uncertainty, overlap, and disproportionate exposure for developers. Key findings highlight the sector’s long‑standing self‑regulation through the PEGI age‑rating system, now used in 38 European countries, and the deployment of parental‑control tools on consoles and other platforms for two decades. Survey data from the Commission’s impact assessment reveal low public support for compensating damages caused by intangible items that do not drive a device, with only 42 % agreeing to such liability for software apps and 48 % for the category that would include video games. The paper notes that the PLD’s definition of “defectiveness” relies on vague concepts such as “reasonably foreseeable misuse,” which could unfairly penalise iterative software development and frequent patching practices. The scope of the argument covers the entire European Union, referencing 27 Member States and the broader digital market. Economic data underscore the sector’s significance: the European video‑games market generated approximately €23 billion in consumer spending in 2021, comprises over 5,100 studios with a combined turnover of €12 billion, and employs around 90 000 people. EGDF represents more than 2 500 developer studios and 45 000 employees across 22 countries. No primary survey was conducted; the analysis relies on existing EU impact‑assessment questionnaires and legal precedents from the Court of Justice of the EU. Conclusions call for the exclusion of video games from the PLD’s definition of “product,” warning that the proposed liability regime could deter innovation, increase litigation risk, and undermine Europe’s digital and cultural future. The paper urges policymakers to retain the current, sector‑specific regulatory architecture and to avoid a one‑size‑fits‑all approach that fails to distinguish between high‑risk physical products and interactive digital entertainment.

regulation europe game-development+1

Video Games EuropeMar 2023

Legal

Position Paper: Public Consultation for the Fitness Check of EU Consumer Law on Digital Fairness

The analysis contends that the existing EU consumer‑protection framework is already adequate for ensuring digital fairness in the video‑game sector and should be fully deployed before any new legislation is considered. It calls for a coordinated, holistic approach that aligns the 2021 Guidance on digital services and the enforcement powers granted by the Omnibus Directive, and urges the European Commission to publish clear, ex‑ante guidelines on fair commercial practices. The industry’s self‑regulatory PEGI system, which enjoys roughly three‑quarters consumer awareness and provides age‑appropriate ratings, is presented as a cornerstone of this coordinated framework. Evidence is offered that the current acquis effectively bans manipulative tactics such as bait‑and‑switch and false testimonials, with notable success in the gaming market. Coordinated actions by national consumer protection authorities on in‑app purchases during 2013‑14 and the Italian competition authority’s 2020 commitments on loot‑box transparency illustrate the system’s capacity to curb unfair practices. The analysis warns that forthcoming rules could duplicate or undermine these established mechanisms. A specific argument is made regarding in‑game currencies, which are characterised as non‑convertible digital content lacking real‑world monetary value. Accordingly, they should be exempt from “monetary equivalence” regulations, provided that transparency is achieved by displaying the real‑currency price at the point of purchase and clearly informing players of the transaction details. The overall recommendation is to rely on the existing EU consumer‑protection instruments, reinforced by industry self‑regulation, to safeguard digital fairness across the European video‑game market.

regulation europe advertising+1

Video Games EuropeFeb 2023

Legal

European Commission Proposal for a Regulation Laying Down Rules to Prevent and Combat Child Sexual Abuse

The position presented by Video Games Europe and the European Games Developer Federation seeks to shape the European Commission’s proposed regulation on child sexual abuse online by emphasizing that interactive video‑game environments already embody a robust, safety‑by‑design framework. It argues that the sector’s long‑standing tools, standards and cooperation mechanisms make online gaming one of the safest digital activities for children, and that regulatory measures should be calibrated to the low risk inherent in in‑game communications rather than applying a uniform, high‑risk model. Across Europe more than half of the population engages in video‑game play, with children constituting a significant share. In‑game chat is typically short, text‑or voice‑based, pseudonymous, filtered, reportable and can be disabled, limiting opportunities for the exchange of illicit material. Empirical evidence shows a minimal incidence of abuse: a 2020 Ofcom/ICO survey of roughly 4,000 respondents found only 2 % of adults and 3 % of children reporting harms via gameplay, while an Interpol report noted no significant rise in cases of children targeted on game platforms. NCMEC’s 2021 Cybertipline data confirm that CSAM and grooming incidents on video‑game services are considerably lower than on platforms centred on photo or video sharing. An Ipsos poll further reveals that 60 % of parents restrict multiplayer access and, among the 40 % who allow it, 80 % supervise interactions. The

regulation europe player-behavior+1

Video Games EuropeFeb 2023