From 21 to 25 August, the global video game industry is coming together in Cologne for Gamescom. Every year, hub.brussels brings around ten Brussels-based companies to this great event. A total of 49 businesses will be present on Belgium’s collective stand, making it the largest national delegation ever registered at the show. Discover the latest trends and developments taking gaming to new heights!

Gamescom is one of the world’s largest and most influential video game trade shows. The event attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year, including gamers, developers, publishers and other industry professionals. The programme includes previews of new games, interactive demonstrations, various discussion panels and workshops. Participants include big names such as Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo, as well as several independent developers. Asia, the queen of e-sports

The gaming industry is made up of a range of disciplines, including the development, production, distribution and sales of video games, audiovisual technologies, media, and e-sports. Quite simply, video games are now the world’s largest and fastest-growing entertainment sector. The sector is estimated to be worth $220 billion, with a community of over 3.5 billion gamers worldwide. Mobile games account for 50% of total revenues, or over $100 billion a year. E-sports are not to be outdone, with revenues of $1.4 billion in 2023. Asia is a major player in the e-sports industry (50%-55%), thanks to large markets such as China, South Korea and Japan, where e-sports are extremely popular and generate significant investment and revenue. Of an estimated US$1.4 billion in revenue, some $700 to $770 million come from this continent.

Brussels is taking pride of place on the world stage

Unsurprisingly, the gaming industry skyrocketed during Covid. But unlike the multinationals, which hired in droves and are now overstaffed, the Belgian gaming sector has managed to stay small and protect itself. This has enabled it to grow without flying too close to the sun. With an impressive growth rate of 21%, Belgium counted some 133 video game companies in 2022, compared with 110 businesses the previous year. These figures indicate not only growth, but also the imminent launch of many new video game titles in the coming years. According to Video Game Federation Belgium, these 133 companies generated sales of €85 million last year, creating opportunities for no fewer than 1,085 professionals.

While the sector’s expansion has slowed in the country’s other two regions, it continues to grow in Brussels. In 2023, Brussels had 23 companies operating in the gaming industry, compared with 7 in 2020. Together, they generated sales of €5.9 million.

New innovations in the sector

As the industry continues to grow, the technology is also evolving, taking the gaming experience to new dimensions:

1. Virtual reality (VR) offers gamers an unrivalled digital experience thanks to advanced VR headsets such as the Meta Quest 3 and Apple Vision Pro. The VR gaming sector is expected to grow at an impressive rate of 38.19% between 2023 and 2028 worldwide (or $36.15 billion). This development is due to the growing popularity of VR headsets and other accessories, as well as the integration of VR into interactive home entertainment. Asia, in particular, is experiencing the strongest growth in this niche.
2. Sustainable games are also booming. Thanks to flagship initiatives such as the Xbox Carbon Neutral game mode, consumers and developers are using less energy.
3. Artificial intelligence (AI) also plays a crucial role in the development of smart, adaptive NPCs (non-playable characters/non-player characters) and in the refinement of game mechanics through advanced machine learning algorithms. In 2022, the global market for AI in games was estimated at around $1 billion and is expected to reach $2.2 billion by 2025. In addition, over 80% of major game developers are already using AI tools to create advanced game elements, such as smart NPCs, personalised game experiences and dynamic content.
4. Connectivity is moving up a gear with the rise of cloud gaming platforms such as Xbox Cloud Gaming (Microsoft), Steam (Valve) and GeForce Now (NVIDIA), which enable gamers to experience high-quality games without the need for powerful hardware. These technological innovations not only improve the quality of the game, but also create new ways for players to interact and offer new gaming possibilities.