In 2025 the European video‑game market amassed a total turnover of €30 billion, with digital sales representing a dominant 91 percent of that figure, according to the latest figures released by Video Games Europe (VGE). This robust performance underscores the continued shift toward online distribution channels, micro‑transactions, and downloadable content that have reshaped the industry over the past decade. A major development this year was the broadening of VGE’s flagship “All About Games” analysis.
Previously the report focused on the five largest European gaming economies – the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain and Italy – collectively known as the EU5. In 2025 the scope was enlarged to incorporate eleven additional territories: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Sweden and Switzerland. The inclusion of these markets provides a more comprehensive picture of gaming activity across the continent and reflects the growing relevance of smaller economies in the overall revenue mix.
To compile the data, VGE commissioned market‑research firm Ipsos, which drew on information from several industry sources, including GameTrack, the Global Software Distribution (GSD) database, and the newly released EGDF‑VGE Video Games Industry Insight Report. The combined survey reached a total of 39,371 respondents, offering a statistically solid foundation for the conclusions drawn. When the numbers are broken down, the traditional EU5 region actually saw a modest contraction. Revenue fell by 4 percent year‑on‑year, slipping from €26.8 billion in 2024 to €25.7 billion in 2025.
Germany remained the top‑earning nation within this group, generating €6.5 billion, followed by the United Kingdom, France, Italy and Spain. The decline can be partly attributed to market saturation in the core platforms and a slight slowdown in console sales, although the surge in mobile and tablet spending helped to cushion the overall impact. Employment figures paint an encouraging picture of the sector’s health.
Across the EU and the UK, 123,000 individuals were employed by an estimated 8,700 development studios in 2025. Women represented roughly a quarter of the workforce (24 percent), a modest but steady improvement compared with previous years and an indicator of the industry’s ongoing diversity initiatives.
In absolute terms, the United Kingdom employed the largest number of gaming professionals – 28,520 workers – with Poland (14,930) and Germany (12,410) trailing behind. Platform usage patterns continued to evolve. Mobile phones and tablets dominated the landscape, accounting for 82 percent of all gaming sessions, while consoles captured 47 percent and personal computers 34 percent.
Notably, mobile and tablet devices also generated nearly half of the total €30 billion revenue, highlighting the profitability of casual and hyper‑casual titles, as well as the growing acceptance of premium mobile experiences. On the console front, Electronic Arts retained its leading position in 2025. The company’s flagship sports franchise, EA Sports FC26, claimed the top spot on the console charts, with the preceding year’s title, FC25, holding the second place. Battlefield 6, the latest entry in the long‑running shooter series, rounded out the top three, demonstrating the enduring appeal of both sports and action‑oriented games on console hardware.
The PC segment was similarly dominated by big‑budget releases. Battlefield 6 again led the rankings, followed closely by Rockstar Games’ evergreen titles Red Dead Redemption 2 and Grand Theft Auto V, both of which continue to generate strong sales years after their initial launch thanks to regular updates, downloadable content, and a robust online community. Mobile gaming saw a different set of leaders. The casual‑strategy title Coin Master topped the charts, with Royal Match and the ever‑popular Candy Crush Saga occupying the second and third positions respectively.
These results underline the power of freemium models that combine easy‑to‑learn mechanics with in‑app purchase incentives. Player demographics revealed that 199 million Europeans engaged in gaming activities during 2025. Women accounted for 46 percent of this audience, translating to roughly 91.5 million female gamers, a figure that reflects the increasingly gender‑balanced nature of the market.
The United Kingdom emerged as the single largest national market, boasting 25 million active players. Average weekly playtime across the continent measured 8.39 hours per person, a slight dip from 9.4 hours recorded in 2024.
Younger gamers, however, still devoted considerable time to their devices: children aged 6‑11 logged an average of 11.35 hours per week, while teenagers aged 12‑17 averaged 14.30 hours. These statistics suggest that while overall engagement may be tapering slightly among adults, the youth segment remains highly active. Parental involvement in gaming habits was also highlighted.
Seventy‑five percent of European parents expressed a desire to be part of the decision‑making process regarding video‑game limits for their children. Correspondingly, 79 percent reported using one or more family‑setting tools—such as time‑limit features, content filters, or purchase controls—to monitor or restrict gameplay. Additionally, 74 percent said they have explicit agreements, monitoring practices, or family‑setting configurations in place to manage online interactions and safeguard their children’s digital experiences.
In the EU5 region specifically, 72 percent of parents indicated that their children did not make in‑game purchases. Among the minority who did, a striking 93 percent of parents said they actively supervised those transactions, reflecting heightened awareness of micro‑transaction spending.
Notably, the average amount spent by children who were permitted to buy in‑game content fell by 13 percent compared with 2024, suggesting that parental oversight and possibly tighter platform restrictions are beginning to curb excessive spending. Overall, the 2025 data paints a picture of a mature yet dynamic European gaming ecosystem. Revenue remains strong, driven primarily by digital channels, while employment continues to grow and diversify.
Mobile platforms dominate both usage and income, but console and PC titles still command significant market share, especially among high‑spending segments. The expansion of VGE’s reporting to 16 countries provides richer insight into regional nuances, and the ongoing emphasis on responsible gaming—particularly concerning younger audiences—signals a sector that is not only profitable but also increasingly attentive to societal expectations.