Today, there are more than three billion active gamers worldwide, according to Newzoo (the industry’s primary source for market intelligence).
Moreover, global revenue generated by the gaming industry is greater than the global revenue generated by the music and movie industries combined, reports Forbes.
A contingent of Irish-owned gaming companies last month travelled to gamescom in the city of Cologne, Germany.
The Glastonbury of the gaming world, gamescom attracts leading experts and stakeholders from business, culture, education, science and game development.
‘The gaming market in Germany reached almost €10bn in 2023’
More than 1,400 exhibitors from 64 countries showcased products at the event, while 335,000 visitors from 120 countries travelled to Cologne.
This year’s gamescom focused on artificial intelligence (AI) and democracy, with sessions on how games can strengthen our democratic coexistence, and how AI can help curb fake news and hate speech.
The event was an invaluable opportunity for Irish digital games companies to connect with peers, thought leaders, publishers and gamers.
It also provided a great platform for them to gain exposure, network with industry experts and exchange ideas.
It’s no coincidence gamescom takes place in Germany, as the country is a hotbed for gaming companies, including Irish firms, to break new ground.
Gaming enthusiasts at gamescom . Photo: Getty
Despite Germans buying fewer games last year, the gaming market in Germany reached almost €10bn in 2023, according to the German Games Industry Association.
Why? German gamers are willing to pay more for quality titles, so games carry a higher-than-average price tag.
Moreover, the German Games Industry Association also reports that 62pc of Germans (that’s more than 44 million people) consider games the medium of our time.
Ireland has a strong gaming community, with a pipeline of up-and-coming gaming firms.
Galway-based ByoWave is behind the Proteus controller, a modular video game controller for disabled and non-disabled gamers, making gaming more accessible.
Romero Games is another Galway-based gaming company making its mark. Founded in 2015 by Brenda and John Romero, the firm is responsible for international successes like Wolfenstein and Empire of Sin.
Headquartered in Dublin, games studio Outlier’s strategy games are also a hit with gamers worldwide. Founded in 2018, in 2022 the studio released its debut title, This Means Warp, and officially announced at gamescom that its new project, Mars Attracts, is set for release in 2025.
Other studios rising up the gaming ranks are Dublin-based Kybolt, creators of Causeway, a game that helps players develop positive leadership skills, while Enigma Studio in Galway develops award-winning sci-fi games.
Viridian Software in Dublin builds software to help developers create better games. It also provides game porting services for developers and publishers to bring their titles to multiple platforms, including Nintendo Switch, PlayStation and Xbox.
The digital games market is poised for further growth throughout the world, delivering huge opportunities. Now’s the time for Irish firms to take advantage of the global phenomenon.
For more information on Enterprise Ireland funding and mentoring supports, visit www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/supports/start-ups.
Jane Greene is Enterprise Ireland’s senior market advisor for consumer retail and digital tech for Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Brian O’Malley is a senior development advisor at Enterprise Ireland