HE industry Video games are progressing more than expected in Catalonia. Better-than-expected 2021 generalitat to slightly upwards the growth forecast he has for this industry. According to the lastWhite papers of the Catalan videojoc industryCompanies in the industry that EL PERIÓDICO from the Prensa Ibérica group has access to have invoiced 660 million euros, 20% more than in 2020 and 9 million more than calculated a year ago. Thus, according to their estimations, this business volume will approach 780 million euros in 2022 and will exceed 900 million by the end of this year.
This analysis is based on the fact that 196 companies operate in this region, which is slightly lower than last year because unofficially created works. so, they video game projects still far from reaching the market. Instead, the build earned nine active companies (132 in total), the biggest advancement in five years and the best figure to date.
Also, 7% more dedicated workers in 2021 confirms the growth of 4,250 people. quarter women. If the projection prepared by Government’s Directorate-General for Innovation and Digital Culture together giant (Spanish Video Game Development), there will be more than 5,000 by the end of this year.
So although this X-ray still speaks of an industry that has little impact on a general level (this 900 million turnover does not even reach 1% of the total turnover). GDP of Catalonia), it also outlines an ecosystem that includes more and more muscles. “What the data says is A constantly growing industry And? companies are getting stronger” analyzes General Manager of Innovation and Digital Culture, Catalonia Generalitat, marisol lopez. Regardless, he claims this ecosystem won’t go beyond 200 companies in the short term, but this expert sees it as good news, a sign that it’s not “the one”. bubble industryit will get very big and break up”, but that their company is growing reasonably.
International companies and their own content
‘Llibre blanc’ indeed shows that Catalonia has increasingly large companies: although it remains the majority, Companies that invoice less than 200.000 Euro per yearand on the other hand the number is increasing Works entering between 200,000 euros and 10 million euros.
“This data is reinforced by the latest industry news. arrival of international studies in Cataloniasupporting job creation: Rovio At its new headquarters for Southern Europe, which it opened in Barcelona, it announced that 30 professionals will be recruited for the first half of 2023. IO Interactive He also made plans to hire 150 people in his office,” he said. “2022 also saw how foreign studies It is the case as a result of projects like Novarama, which has become the capital of Catalan research. invizimals or project under development united 1944 reinforced with Tencent’s entry into the company’s shareholding“, he adds.
However, this analysis in 2022 shows an increasing number of studies operating in Catalonia. creating original content. This is evidenced by the fact that 91% of companies claim to work. own intellectual propertycompared to the same survey last year, an increase of seven points.
Financing, the main challenge
Regarding financing, percentage of participating companies public aid to develop their projects, although this audience is still lower than before the pandemic.
“Financing remains the main challenge for Catalan studies in carrying out their day-to-day business, in most cases start new projects We also found studies that needed money to be able to do so when the existing one was gone. developing a second project in parallel or for faster magicPointing out the difficulties of the studies in competing with large companies in attracting professionals, the following statements were included in the report:
On the other hand, researches asked ecosystem and ability Barcelona brand dragging workers and investments as one of the region’s strong points.