The Spanish market is one of the largest in Europe.
DEV, the ‘Spanish Association for the Game and Entertainment Software Development and Publishing Industry’, estimates that the sector will achieve a value of €516 million (394m) in 2015 – an increase of more than €200 million (152.7m) on the €313.7 million (239.5m) turnover in 2013.
This is expected to rise further to €620 million (473.4m) in 2016, followed by €723 million (552m) in 2017.
This growth is down to the wide acceptance of games in the territory; 19.5 million of Spain’s 46.7 million inhabitants play games, according to games publishing services provider LAI.
These gamers predominantly play social and casual titles, with 16.6 million preferring such games.
Dedicated games consoles attract 13.7 million users, followed closely by smartphones, which boast 13.2 million players, and PC and Mac, which have 12.8 million regular gamers.
DEV adds that the Spanish games industry is dominated by independent and start-up firms; 87 per cent of the companies working in the games sector have fewer than 25 employees.
In addition to this, there is a focus on games development in the country.
Four fifths (79 per cent) of Spanish games firms are developers, with just under a third of companies working to publish titles.
DEV additionally reports that 56 per cent of turnover comes from outside the country.
Most Spanish games are sold in Europe, representing a quarter (24.3 per cent) of sales, followed by North America, with 19.3 per cent of sales.
Population: 46,704,314
Capital City: Madrid
Currency: Euro
GDP (Per Capita): $30,113
KEY RETAILERS
Alcampo, Amazon, Carrefour, El Corte Ingles, Eroski, Fnac, Hipercor, Media Markt,
Toys R Us, Worten
TOP DISTRIBUTORS
Digital Bros, Koch Media, Bandai Namco
TOP DEVELOPERS
Abylight, Akaoni, Black Fire Games, Digital Legends, Enigma, Enjoy Up, Gammick, Gextech
PUBLISHERS IN THE REGION
Ubisoft, EA, Take-Two, Deep Silver, ChildTopia, Friendware, Digital Chocolate