MCV/DEVELOP News, events, research and jobs from the games industry
According to research outlet McCormick AMS, Irish gamers spent €206m (149.1m) on boxed video games in 2014.
However, when compared to figures published by the firm for 2012, this represents a decline in games retail of around 17 per cent, with spending in 2012 totalling €248m (178.8m).
Meanwhile, market tracker Newzoo says that Ireland is the 32nd-biggest region in the world for games, generating $179.6m (120.9m) in revenue last year. It is additionally the 15th-largest games market in West Europe.
Accurate data for the sector is difficult to obtain; the Irish Independent estimates that there are between 150 and 190 small game development studios currently operating in Ireland, while GetIrishGames believes that there are between 260 and 300. Industry body IDA adds its belief that around 30 state-supported games firms are based in the country.
The IDA suggests that there are currently around 2,000 people employed in the games business in Ireland.
The strength of the local industry has been impacted by the reduction of major outlets.
Blizzard cut 200 jobs in Cork back in 2012, with mobile giant PopCap pulling out of the region entirely later in the year, erasing 96 positions.
Despite this, one of the biggest games firms in the world – League of Legends creator Riot Games – has a major office in Ireland, bolstering the sector.
Population: 4,609,600
Capital City: Dublin
Currency: Euro
GDP (Per Capita): $52,256
KEY RETAILERS
GameStop, ShopTo, Amazon, Argos, Littlewoods, Harvey Norman, Smyths Toys, HMV, Gamesnash
KEY DISTRIBUTORS
Exertis, CentreSoft, Click Entertainment, Meroncourt, VIP Computers, Link Distribution
TOP DEVELOPERS
Riot Games, Bioware, Zynga, bitSmith Games, Digit Game Studios, SixMinuteGames, Rocket Rainbow
PUBLISHERS IN THE REGION
Riot Games, EA, Activision Blizzard, Zynga, Zenimax
