Statement on the adoption of European Parliament’s resolution on esports and video games

We, at Video Games Europe and EGDF, are pleased to see this in-depth look at our sector which recognises the value of IP, the role of Europe’s video games industry in the creative economy, the many benefits of video game play and our long-standing best-in-class minor protection system, which enables everyone to engage in responsible gameplay. We particularly welcome the concrete measures proposed on funding for SMEs, including modernisation of the General Block Exemption Regulation, a proposal for a European Strategy for IP in video games, and proposals to address the digital skills gap and how to promote the use of video games in schools.

We also welcome the recognition by the Parliament that esports and sports are two distinct sectors, esports being an example of how the video game sector is innovating with licencing.

We call on Europe’s political leaders to advance these concrete proposals to help create the conditions for European leadership in video game innovation and creation and we look forward to continuing the dialogue about the future of Europe’s video games and esports.

Players are at the heart of what we do.

Since 1998, Video Games Europe has ensured that the voice of a responsible games ecosystem is heard and understood, that its creative and economic potential is supported and celebrated, and that players around the world continue to enjoy great video game playing experiences. Video Games Europe represents the video games industry in Europe and is based in Brussels, Belgium. Our membership comprises national trade associations in 18 countries across Europe which represent in turn thousands of developers and publishers at national level. Video Games Europe also has as direct members the leading European and international video game companies,

Uniting the industry

The European Games Developer Federation e.f. (EGDF) unites national trade associations representing game developer studios from Austria (PGDA), Belgium (FLEGA), Czechia (GDACZ), Denmark (Producentforeningen), Finland (Suomen pelinkehittäjät), France (SNJV), Germany (GAME), Italy (IIDEA), Malta (MVGSA), Netherlands (DGA), Norway (VIRKE Produsentforeningen), Poland (PGA), Romania (RGDA), Spain (DEV), Sweden (Spelplan-ASGD), Slovakia (SGDA), Turkey (TOGED) and the United Kingdom (TIGA). Altogether, through its members, EGDF represents more than 2000 game developer studios, most of them SMEs, employing more than 25 000 people.