EUROPE’S VIDEO GAMES INDUSTRY PUBLISHES ANNUAL KEY FACTS REPORT: AUTHORITATIVE DATA AND ENGAGEMENTS FROM 2021

ISFE and EGDF present this year’s Key Facts – a comprehensive picture of Europe’s video games sector, compiled with data provided by Ipsos, GSD and EGDF-ISFE members for the Video Games Industry Insights report.

ISFE Chair Olaf Coenen said: “Our revenue remains stable after the exceptional increase between 2019 and 2020, owing to video games’ role in helping millions of people stay connected during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Meanwhile, our player base has increased, with women and 45-65-year-olds driving this trend, demonstrating the growing popularity of video games as more people discover the power of play.”

EGDF President Hendrik Lesser said: “The video game sector includes micro studios to large multi-national corporations. In 2020, we employed more than 98,000 people in Europe. Together, we create games that more than 50% of Europeans enjoy. We make games to express ourselves as artists, for education, as businesses and to support wellbeing and health, and often to bring people together – but, most important of all, is that people enjoy them and have fun. Our players come from all ages, genders, creeds and colours. We can proudly say our industry is a great success story for Europe’s digital, cultural and creative economy.”

Key Facts 2021- highlights

Economy, demographics and behaviour

• Revenue remained stable at €23.3bn
• Digital revenue represents 81% of total revenue
• Smartphones and tablets continue to be the leading devices for digital growth
• 52% of the population between the ages of 6 and 64 plays video games
• The number of players has increased: 124.8m players (vs 118.3m in 2020): the increase is noted on all platforms: mobile devices, consoles and PC
• 76% of video game players are over 18 and the average age of a video game player in Europe is 31.3 years old
• 48% of game players in Europe are women/girls (average age, 32)
• 48% of video game players are girls (6-15 years old). Research has found that girls who play video games are 3 x more likely to pursue a STEM career than girls who don’t
• On average, people in Europe spend
  • 9 hours / week playing video games
  • 14.2 hours / week on social media
  • 23.5 hours / week watching TV

• The sector provided more than 98,219 jobs in Europe in 2020

Esports:

• Global revenue exceeded €1 billion for the first time
• The global esports audience stands at 489 million
• Europe ranks 2nd, globally, in revenue per enthusiast
• ISFE Esports published the Guide to Esports

Responsible gameplay:

• ISFE launched #Seizethecontrols campaign to inform parents of the best-in-class tools and guidance available to them
• Continued high awareness of PEGI: 73% of video game players and 67% of parents are aware of PEGI age labels
• Parental supervision remains high with the vast majority of parents having agreements with their children on spending

The full Key Facts report is accessible here.

Any journalist interested in topics relevant to ISFE and EGDF is welcome to get in touch with us for information or individual briefings.