Czech Games Industry Study
We Monitor the State of the Czech Games Development Industry
The monitoring of the industry is the key project of our association. Our goal is to assess and present the importance of the games industry, its economic nature, impact, and specifics and benefits for the society. Our findings help set the correct direction for the games industry, identify places for improvement, and support and communicate the industry needs directly to the public sector.
Czech Games Industry Is an Important Part of Our Culture
After a period of decline, growth is expected to return
Following a record year in 2021, the turnover of Czech game development companies dropped significantly in 2022 to CZK 5.57 billion, a 22% decrease compared to the previous year. In 2023, the turnover remained virtually stagnant, but the outlook for 2024 is more optimistic – growth of around 17% is expected, with a return to a turnover of approximately CZK 6.5 billion.
The Czech game industry as an equal partner to global leaders
There are currently around 170 game development studios in the Czech Republic, with the majority located in Prague (52%) and Brno (20%). Czech game companies stand alongside global leaders, and Czech-made games achieve significant success worldwide. In 2023, the industry employed approximately 2,765 people, representing year-on-year growth of 5%. Over the past three years alone, more than 400 new jobs have been created annually.
The Lack of Qualified Workforce Is Prevalent in the Whole Entertainment Sector
Czech game development companies employ more than 2 600 employees. Yet more than 60% of companies state that they lack a qualified workforce. Education in the fields of computer game development is currently underdeveloped. Only a couple of Czech universities are focusing on computer games and the number of graduates each year does not meet the demand of a constantly growing industry. Studios then turn their attention to the international job market. More than half of the companies are employing at least one foreigner (mainly from the member states of the EU) and the average ratio of Czech vs. foreign employees for Czech companies is 36%.
The Czech game industry is built on domestic companies
The vast majority of game development companies in the Czech Republic are Czech-owned. Foreign branches account for only 7% of the market, while 5% of Czech firms have expanded abroad and established an international presence. This demonstrates the strong roots of the industry in the domestic market, as well as its ability to succeed internationally. At the same time, the Czech game industry is highly export-oriented – exports account for 98% of total turnover.
Gaming Is Generating More Revenue Than the Czech Films Industry
The games industry is a major force of the digital economy. Digital distribution has seen significant growth and exceeded the retail distribution. It is also categorized as a cultural and creative industry and generates revenue multiple times higher than the Czech film production. However, the support of government bodies does not reflect the importance of the industry. The Czech games industry needs systemic support especially for visa accessibility, direct and indirect support for new companies, and longterm support of specialized education.
“The games industry is a major sector of our economy and we need to support it in all areas, including education, investment, and equity. Interest in gaming is constantly growing and we expect it to grow even further in the future. However, to maintain the growth and take full advantage of the value the games industry brings, we need to increase the support from the government bodies both on national and European level,“ says Pavel Barák, the chairman of Czech Game Developers Association.
Czech Game Developers Association is actively working with governmental bodies to extend the support of the Czech games industry. We can communicate the needs of the industry directly and help secure the economical climate where the industry can keep stable growth.“
