The European video‑game market posted a combined turnover of €24 billion in 2024, supported by more than 6,600 development studios and a labour force that now exceeds 95,000 individuals. These figures come from the European Video Game Industry Insights Report, a joint publication of the European Games Development Association (EGDF) and Video Games Europe (VGA). The report, which reflects data collected throughout 2024, is the result of a two‑stage compilation process: each of the 28 EGDF member organisations first prepares a national‑level analysis, after which the EGDF consolidates the individual submissions into a single, Europe‑wide dataset.
While the overall talent pool in Europe appears to have hit a plateau – with the rate of new entrants into game‑development roles slowing down – the ecosystem is still expanding in other ways. Notably, the total number of studios operating across the continent grew by somewhere between five and ten percent during the year. This modest but steady increase was evident in a number of markets, including Finland, Italy and the Czech Republic, where employment figures continued to climb, albeit at a measured pace. Poland emerged as the largest single‑country employer within the EU gaming sector, both in terms of the number of people working in development and publishing and in the volume of new titles released.
Polish studios launched 450 new games in 2024, the highest output of any EU nation. The United Kingdom also posted impressive numbers, with its gaming workforce reaching 28,516 professionals, making it the second‑largest labour pool in the region. The 2024 edition of the report marked the first time that two additional markets – Bulgaria and Cyprus – were included in the analysis.
Cyprus, despite its relatively small size, generated €4.3 billion in turnover and was highlighted as the primary revenue hub for the game‑industry in its part of the Mediterranean. Bulgaria, meanwhile, was described as an important regional centre, benefitting from proximity to a rich talent pool in neighboring Romania and Turkey. The EGDF’s commentary underscored the paradoxical nature of the current climate.
On the one hand, the data shows that despite a number of headwinds – including a series of layoffs, corporate consolidations and a slight overall decline in employment in certain jurisdictions – the sector continued to grow in both revenue and the number of active studios across many European countries. This dual‑track growth helped lift the continent’s aggregate performance indicators, keeping Europe competitive on the global stage. On the other hand, the report also flagged a concerning trend: for the first time since systematic tracking began, some countries experienced a measurable dip in employment levels.
The contraction was modest but signalled that the industry’s rapid expansion phase may be entering a more mature, stabilised period. Analysts attribute this slowdown to a combination of market saturation, rising development costs and the increasing complexity of modern game production, which often demands larger, more specialised teams that are not always easy to staff. Looking ahead, industry stakeholders are focusing on several strategic priorities to sustain growth. Investment in education and vocational training is seen as essential to replenish the talent pipeline that has begun to stagnate.
Several national governments are already introducing incentives, such as tax credits and grant programmes, aimed at encouraging both established studios and start‑ups to expand their operations and hire locally. In addition, cross‑border collaboration is gaining momentum. Initiatives that bring together developers from different EU member states aim to share expertise, pool resources and reduce the risk associated with high‑budget projects.
Such cooperation could help mitigate the impact of localized layoffs by providing a broader network of opportunities for displaced workers. Finally, the report highlights the importance of diversifying revenue streams beyond traditional console and PC releases. Mobile gaming, cloud‑based services and emerging technologies such as virtual and augmented reality are all areas where European studios are beginning to invest heavily. By tapping into these fast‑growing segments, the continent can offset slower growth in its traditional markets and continue to drive overall turnover upward.
In summary, the European gaming industry in 2024 demonstrated resilience and adaptability. While the talent base’s growth has stalled and some regions have seen a slight decline in employment, the sector as a whole has managed to increase its revenue to €24 billion, expand the number of studios to over 6,600 and sustain a workforce of more than 95,000 professionals.
The coming years will likely be defined by how effectively the industry can nurture new talent, foster collaboration across borders, and embrace innovative business models to maintain its upward trajectory.