full European Parliament asked this thursday European Union (EU) video game as part of european cultural heritage and to support the preservation of the most important as one of the measures of a long-term plan to consolidate European production, increase investment and retain talent.

In a resolution approved by 560 votes in favour, 34 against and 16 abstentions, the Commission and Council of MEPs develop a community strategy that recognizes the value of the video game “ecosystem” and its potential for growth and innovationby drafting a long-term European video game strategy.

“Video games Culture is the most dynamic area of ​​our economy and the only sector experiencing growth during the COVID crisis.“The text’s rapporteur, liberal Laurence Farreng, pointed out in the pre-vote plenary discussion. The Games have become a vital part of cultural life for half of Europeans, and we do not yet have a European vision for the industry,” he added.

in Farren Underlined the need to protect European games, studios and publishersFor example, with a European video game label and due to the lack of European investment, it affected the problem of “acquisitions from abroad” of potential companies.

Accordingly, the text approved by the plenary of Parliament this Thursday blames “existing reliance on imports”, which it encourages in all Member States to “maximize game creation opportunities” and increase the number of productions within the framework. your union.

It also argues that funding criteria for Creative Europe and Horizon Europe programs are not always compatible with the needs of small and medium studios, and calls for national support from the EU government to encourage local video game development through exemptions. help.

With the approval of this decision, Parliament acknowledged that the European video game industry “is struggling with a chronic talent shortage”. and seeks to solve it with greater community and national investment.

The text also touches on competitive gaming and calls for the avoidance of match fixing, illegal betting and doping, as electronic sports, like off-screen sports, must promote fair play, non-discrimination, anti-racism and gender equality.