International Factfile 2015: Poland

Poland is fast becoming the keystone of Eastern European games development.

According to a 2014 report by B2B event organiser Digital Dragons, 60 per cent of Polish internet users play games.

Of these, 35 per cent play on PC, while just one in ten opt for consoles. 28 per cent play on smartphones and tablet platforms.

Polish players’ preference for the PC is reflected in the output of the country’s games sector.

Perhaps the best-known Polish development studio is CD Projekt Red, which produces the Witcher series of titles. The franchise was primarily PC based, with third and final entry The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt finally breaking onto both Xbox One and PS4.

CD Projekt is joined by People Can Fly, which was for a time known as Epic Games Poland. It reclaimed its independence this June, after two years of serving as a subsidiary of the Gears of War creator.

Poland’s development success is expanding to its smaller studios, too.

Independent developer 11 Bit released digital title This War of Mine to positive reviews, with the game topping the Steam weekly charts.

With outlets and games such as these making waves in the wider Western market, it’s little surprise that Poland boasts the 23rd-largest games industry in the world, according to market tracker Newzoo.

2014 games revenue totalled $279.6 million – more than double its next closest Eastern Europe competitor, Romania, which saw revenue of $122.3 million.

Population: 38,483,957

Capital City: Warsaw

Currency: Zloty

GDP (Per Capita): $12,662

KEY RETAILERS

Media Markt, Gry Online, Empik, Sklep Gram, Gram.pl, Toys R Us, GOG.com

TOP DISTRIBUTORS

CD Projekt, GOG.com, Cenega, Galapagos, LEM

TOP DEVELOPERS

CD Projekt Red, The Astronauts, People Can Fly, Techland, Acid Wizard, Crunching Koalas, 11 Bit Studios, Flying Wild Hog, CI Games, Wargaming, Wastelands

PUBLISHERS IN THE REGION

CD Projekt, CI Games, Nintendo, Sony, Ubisoft, Codemasters, EA, Microsoft