European Gaming Industry Sees Growth in Revenue, Workforce, and Older Player Base

The European gaming industry has experienced significant growth, according to a recent report by Video Games Europe. The report reveals that the industry's revenue reached €24.5 billion in 2022, representing a 5% increase from the previous year. This growth can be attributed to an increase in unit sales, with 40.3 million games sold in 2022, up 12.6% from 2021. The report also highlights a rise in the number of people employed by the industry, with 110,000 employees across ten selected markets, a 12.2% increase from 2021. Furthermore, the report notes a significant increase in the number of older gamers, with 31.3 million people aged 45-64 playing video games, up by one million compared to 2021. The average age of European gamers is 32, and the majority of players are male, although 59 million women account for 46.7% of European game players. The report also explores the work of ratings board PEGI, with 67% of parents aware of the organisation's age labels. In terms of gaming habits, the average number of hours spent playing video games per week is 8.8, similar to pre-pandemic levels. The report also provides insights into the industry's workforce, with 23.7% of employees being women, and the majority working in development, with art being the biggest discipline.