The European gaming industry raked in an astounding $24.5 billion in 2022, marking a remarkable 5% increase from the previous year. This significant growth defied economic uncertainties and underscored the industry's undeniable vitality. France, a pivotal player in Europe's gaming industry, is under the spotlight in the latest SNJV report. In this deep dive, we uncover key findings on the state of the French gaming industry, giving insights into the relevance to web3.

In 2022, France boasted over 1,000 gaming companies, with 580 dedicated to game development. The survey by SNJV, spanning from February 28 to June 26, 2023, encapsulates findings from 577 French gaming entities, shedding light on the trends and developments that shaped the previous year. This year the French gaming industry continues to thrive, with a 14.4% increase in the number of game studios reporting annual sales above €10 million, according to a new report from the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo (SNJV), the French trade body for the gaming industry.

A total of 1,257 games are currently in development, with a substantial 854 introducing new intellectual properties to the world of gaming. Notably, 39% of these projects are indie titles, while 4.4% represent high-budget AAA games. Interestingly, 37.4% of games are planned to be distributed using the B2P (Buy to Play) model without in-game payments. Another 20.6% will use the B2P model with in-game payments.

The range in budgets for games varies, with 67.2% of games operating on a budget of under €1 million, while 6.9% have budgets exceeding €10 million. In the realm of development timelines, 7% of developers invest more than four years in crafting their games. However, the majority, accounting for 60.6%, complete their projects within a span of one to three years.

Looking forward, 2023 anticipates a surge in job opportunities, with French game studios projecting to open between 400 and 600 new vacancies. Inclusivity is on the rise, with 24% of the current workforce being women. In terms of hiring plans, 52% of studios aim to expand their teams, 40% focus on retention strategies, while 7.5% are contemplating layoffs. Remote work models are gaining traction, with 33% implementing a full remote workday and 47.5% offering a hybrid work model.

Financially, 27% of studios have surpassed the €1 million annual revenue mark, showcasing robust growth. A notable 8.3% of French studios have achieved earnings exceeding €20 million, though the majority, comprising 55%, operate with annual revenues below €300,000.

Final Thoughts

In a rapidly evolving gaming landscape, this data serves as a compass for understanding the dynamics of the French gaming industry. As we navigate the realms of web3 gaming, where decentralized technologies redefine player experiences, the resilience and diversity of the French gaming sector provide valuable insights for future innovations and collaborative endeavors. The intersection of traditional gaming and web3 possibilities is a frontier worth exploring, guided by the wealth of data from the SNJV report.