The video game industry in Spain had a turnover of 2,339 million euros in 2023, 16.3% more than the previous year

Despite the massive layoffs that have affected the video game industry for more than a year, income continues to rise and Spain is no exception. According to the yearbook According to the Spanish Video Game Association (AEVI), in 2023 the sector had a turnover of 2,339 million euros, which represents a growth of 16.3% compared to the previous year. The employers’ association assures that this increase places Spain as the third market in the European Union behind Germany and France.

The increase in turnover is attributed to the increase in both physical and online sales, with year-on-year increases of 24.85% and 10.25%, respectively. The physical market came from a fall of 5.67% in 2022 and its rebound is truly notable, while the online market sees its rise slowed after growing 29.24% the previous year. Physical billing grows in all categories (hardware, software and accessories), while online billing grows in online platforms and applications, but falls in subscriptions and multiplayer services.

Despite the increase in software billing, 6.5 million games were sold in 2023, about 400,000 less than in 2022, while consoles shipped rose to 1.1 million, compared to 841,000 units the previous year. In 2023, the shortage of components ended and the supply managed to meet demand.

Regarding the number of players in Spain, the figure rises to 20.05 million, 10.16% more than a year ago. 51% of the players are men and in the age distribution the group between 35 and 44 years old wins. The device most used to play is the mobile phone with 32%, followed by consoles (31%) and the PC (24%). Finally, 71% of all players play every week and the average weekly playing time is 7.71 hours, more than in France (7.4 hours) and less than Germany (10.4 hours) and the United Kingdom United (10.8 hours).

“While the sector continues to adapt to the post-pandemic era, 2023 has been a year in which the turnover of the video game industry has grown strongly, which has served to consolidate its leadership position as a cultural, entertainment and technological industry” says José María Moreno, general director of AEVI. The Spanish video game employers’ association also asks for the continuity of aid or the application of tax incentives to the sector, “which we believe are essential so that national developers can compete on equal terms. with those of the rest of Europe”.