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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.
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Wazdan, the gain-focused developer, has launched its latest network promotion instalment with Halloween Mystery Drop, offering a staggering €6,000,000 prize pool.
Running from 24th October to 2nd November, the enriched promotional campaign gets operators’ players in the spooky spirit with the supplier’s iconic Mystery Drop mechanic playing a starring role.
In a stylish gameplay upgrade, the seamless bonus system can randomly award players with a special screen that presents a choice of 9 mystery boxes, each revealing an instant cash reward.
Offering its partners’ player bases fresh ways to engage with their favourite Wazdan titles, which are live in over 30 regulated markets, the stylish campaign will also feature special Christmas and Valentine’s.
The second and third phases are set to incorporate the retention-proven Mystery Multiplier Drop mechanic, which sees additional awards being granted based on the player’s bet multiplied by a random number, further boosting the chance of strong win potential.
The latest move from Wazdan highlights its ability to captivate players globally through seamless, intriguing gameplay enhancements to its award-winning slot portfolio.
Andrzej Hyla, Chief Commercial Officer at Wazdan, said: “At Wazdan, we are always looking for creative ways to help our partners boost player engagement, and our Halloween Mystery Drop kickstarts our latest endeavour.
“With €6,000,000 in prizes and a selection of our industry-proven mechanics returning for three major seasonal events, we are ensuring that operators can deliver thrilling, retention-focused experiences right through to the new year. It is an exciting way to celebrate 2025 and keep momentum high into 2026.”
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The post SlotMatrix gets spooky with the launch of Ghost Pigger appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Veikkaus’ active preparation towards the new gambling system, which will launch in 2027, continues.
As part of the new strategy, Veikkaus held change negotiations in the Betting and Online Casino operations in the autumn. The change negotiation process has now been completed. Following the change negotiations, 14 employment relationships ended and 19 Veikkaus employees underwent significant changes in their employment relationships.
“We had to make decisions that were painful from a human perspective, but they are necessary for the future of the company. I would like to thank those who will no longer be with us for their hard work,” said Business Director Jarkko Nordlund.
According to Nordlund, Veikkaus is now creating a new organizational structure that will prepare the company for the coming years.
“Digitalization is also strongly driving our industry. International competition and the pace of development are really fierce. Veikkaus has decades of fine traditions and a lot of good expertise as a company. Alongside these, we now need the kind of professionalism that will enable us to serve our customers even better and more individually.”
The company is recruiting dozens of new digital channel and betting professionals over the coming year.
“We need more expertise for Veikkaus that will make us even stronger and more competitive in the new market situation. We are also looking beyond Finland’s borders. According to current estimates, more than 30 new positions will open by next summer. We want to be strong, growing and profitable in the future,” Nordlund said.
The Parliament intends to have the new Gambling Act passed by the end of 2025. When the law comes into force, it will open up the opportunity for other gambling companies, in addition to Veikkaus, to apply for, for example, sports betting and online casino licenses in the Finnish market. According to the current estimate, other gambling companies could also start operating with a license in Finland during 2027.
Lottery games, cardboard tickets and physical slot machines will remain exclusive to Veikkaus in the future.
The post Veikkaus Renews its Betting and Online Casino Operations appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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