PR: SNJV and IDATE Digiworld’s third annual survey into the French video game industry
Publication of the French Video Games Trade Association SNJV and IDATE Digiworld’s third annual survey into the French video game industry
The third annual survey produced by the SNJV, the trade association of video game professionals and the digital economy think tank, IDATE Digiworld, provides an appraisal of production, employment and the economic position of French
The report is based on 750 businesses in the sector and contains more than one hundred indicators with figures and analyses. While other statistical studies reflect the extraordinary growth of the video game market and increase in gamers in France and worldwide, since last year, this particular annual report of video gaming in France provides reliable data and indicators enabling better assessment and understanding of the French sector’s industrial ecosystem.
The survey published in French last month is now available in its international version. Enhanced each year, it enables precise evaluation of the developments and trends within the sector.
The document also contains details on the ambitious public policy for video game development based mainly on two support mechanisms: the tax credit for videogames and a selective aid to support innovation and intellectual property creation.
The key takeaways from the 2016 edition of the SNJV–IDATE Digiworld Survey
Number of companies rapidly on the rise: 750 companies identified rising to 1000 including “indie” micro-companies, with more publishers than in 2015.
Business sector composed of young and dynamic companies: Entrepreneurial dynamism still in evidence with 2/3 of development studios surveyed less than 5 years old and 20% more than 10 years old.
An industry dominated by video game creation activities: 2/3 of companies are development studios, with publishing and distribution activities increasing and now accounting for 10% of French companies.
Productions focusing on innovation: 1/4 of the studios are developing productions based on artificial reality technologies and 20% will integrate eSports into their productions in 2017.
Significant number of productions: In France, the estimated cumulative number of productions currently in development is about 730 new game productions, including 550 new intellectual properties.
Consoles and PC are increasingly attractive to development studios: More than 1/3 of development studios are targeting home consoles as their platform of choice, while 73% prefer the PC platform.
Growing turnover: Development studio turnover posted an increase of 2.4% between 2015 and 2016, reaching 2.3 million EUR on average.
Talent is behind company growth: The average number of full-time equivalent jobs in French development studios with less than 100 employees was 12.2 in the first half of 2016 compared with 9.3 in 2015.
Jobs are skilled and long-term: 58% are permanent jobs, while 10% are temporary.
Sector continuing to recruit: 51% of companies will recruit in 2017 and French video games industry companies are expected to create more than 750 FTE jobs in 2016 (equivalent to 2015).
Still very few women employed in studios: Women only account for 14% of the workforce in development studios, but the proportion is increasing each year (10.6% in 2014).
Business growing: In a context of short-term visibility, more than 42% of studios have profitable activities and equity strengthens every year.
Export-orientated activity: In 2016, 42.6% of French studio turnover is likely to be generated abroad.
Companies are confident about the future of the sector in France: This optimism is still growing because now more than 3/4 of companies have confidence in the future of the sector and 56% of companies consider France as an attractive place for the sector. France is in 3rd place behind Canada and the United States as the most attractive locations.
