The European video‑game market posted a combined revenue of €24 billion in 2024, supported by more than 6,600 development studios that together employ upwards of 95,000 professionals. These figures come from the latest European Video Game Industry Insights Report, a joint publication by the European Games Development Association (EGDF) and Video Games Europe (VGA).
The report draws on data collected throughout 2024, with each of the 28 EGDF member organisations first compiling national‑level statistics before they are merged into a pan‑European overview. While the overall pool of talent across the continent appears to have hit a plateau, the number of active studios continued to expand, registering a growth rate that ranged between five and ten percent over the year.
This modest but steady rise was especially noticeable in several key markets. Finland, Italy and the Czech Republic each recorded incremental increases in their employment figures, suggesting that local ecosystems are still capable of attracting and retaining skilled workers despite broader hiring headwinds. Poland emerged as the biggest employer in the EU’s game‑development and publishing landscape, boasting the largest headcount among all member states.
Polish studios also led the region in output, releasing a total of 450 new titles during the reporting period. The United Kingdom, another major hub, reported a workforce of 28,516 individuals working in various capacities across development, publishing, marketing and ancillary services. The 2024 edition of the report marked the first time that Bulgaria and Cyprus were included in the analysis. Cyprus, despite its relatively small size, generated €4.3 billion in turnover, earning the description of the "main game industry hub in terms of combined revenue" for the region.
Bulgaria, meanwhile, was highlighted as an "important regional hub surrounded by key European game industry talent"—a nod to its strategic position next to thriving markets in Romania and Türkiye. The EGDF’s commentary underscores a dual narrative.
On the one hand, the data illustrate that several countries have managed to sustain growth in both revenue and the number of operational studios, thereby lifting the aggregate European indicators. On the other hand, the sector also faced a series of setbacks: layoffs, corporate consolidations and a general slowdown in hiring led to a stagnation of employment levels, and in a few nations even a slight decline. This represents the first recorded dip in employment across the European gaming sector, signalling that the industry is not immune to broader economic pressures. To put these numbers into perspective, the €24 billion turnover represents a sizable contribution to the EU’s creative economy, positioning video games alongside other high‑value cultural exports such as film and music.
The increase in studio count—now exceeding 6,600—suggests a diversification of the market, with a growing number of small and medium‑sized enterprises (SMEs) entering the space. These newer entrants often focus on niche genres, innovative gameplay mechanics, or emerging technologies such as virtual reality and cloud‑based streaming, thereby enriching the overall ecosystem. Employment trends, however, paint a more nuanced picture.
While the total headcount surpassed 95,000, the distribution of jobs is uneven. Nations with established ecosystems like the United Kingdom, Germany, and France continue to dominate high‑skill roles in programming, art direction and project management. In contrast, newer hubs such as Cyprus and Bulgaria are still building the talent pipelines needed to support larger-scale productions, often relying on cross‑border collaborations and remote work arrangements. The report also highlights the impact of recent industry consolidations.
A handful of high‑profile mergers and acquisitions reshaped the competitive landscape, leading to the formation of larger entities capable of competing on a global stage. While such moves can generate efficiencies and broaden market reach, they also tend to reduce the total number of independent studios, potentially limiting diversity in creative output. Looking ahead, the EGDF advises stakeholders to focus on talent development and retention strategies to counteract the observed employment stagnation.
Initiatives such as vocational training programs, university partnerships, and government incentives are cited as critical levers for sustaining growth. Moreover, the association calls for continued monitoring of market dynamics, especially as emerging technologies and new business models—like live‑service games and in‑game monetisation—reshape revenue streams.
In summary, the 2024 European games industry report paints a picture of robust financial performance and an expanding studio base, set against a backdrop of employment challenges and market consolidation. The sector’s ability to adapt, innovate, and invest in human capital will be decisive in determining whether the upward trajectory can be maintained in the coming years.