The Syndicate of Leisure Software Publishers (SELL) unveils in the new edition of the Video Game Essentials the complete assessment of the French market in 2018. The tremendous wealth of the video game industry is reflected this year again in a figure record business and very sustained growth. A permanent dialogue between artistic creation and technological innovation, the video game market is driven by both hardware and software sales, which represent respectively 1,65 and 3,28 billion euros in 2018. A complementarity that distinguishes the sector of other cultural industries and in fact all its specificity.
Industry talents and gaming communities together build video game success
After a year of very strong growth (+ 2017%), 18 marks a new record for the sector with a turnover of 2018 billion euros (+ 4,9%). Overall revenue from video games is driven by the general growth of the three ecosystems Consoles, PC Gaming and Mobile. The Console ecosystem, which is growing by 15%, remains the engine of the video game industry and generates 15% of the overall value of the French market.
The installed hardware base and the unrivaled diversity of experiences offered to players have enabled the growth of 26% in Software Console sales (Physical + Dematerialized). While physical software sales are holding up, digital sales * have seen a significant increase in each of the ecosystems: digital Console (+ 67%), digital PC Gaming (+ 33%) and Mobile (+ 22%).
“The industry confirms once again this year a very great vitality and an incredible capacity to renew itself. The ever more lasting and passionate commitment of its player communities, the diversity of gaming experiences and the multiplicity of entry points are all strong market trends. More than ever, video games are for everyone ”declares Julie Chalmette, President of SELL.
Sources: SELL data, from GSD / Gametrack / App Annie Intelligence panels at the end of 2018.
* full games, DLC / Micro-payments, subscriptions, streaming.