Video games: in 2024 consumption for almost 2.4 billion euros and 14 million enthusiasts. Made in Italy grows with +25% of companies, +17% of employees and +36% of turnover
Rome, April 15, 2025 – Continuing the positive trend of recent years, in 2024 the turnover of the video games sector grows by +3%, reaching almost 2.4 billion euros. The Italian industry also confirms its good health: the number of companies is increasing, reaching a total of 200 compared to two years ago (+25%), the number of employees is growing, reaching 2800 (+17%) and also the turnover of Italian companies (+36%).
These are the first finding of the report “Video Games in Italy in 2024. Market, Consumers, Industry”, presented today by IIDEA, the association representing the video game industry in Italy, at an event organized as part of the National Made in Italy Day at the Ministry of Culture, in the presence of Undersecretary of State Senator Lucia Borgonzoni. During the event, the portal http://www.gamesinItaly.it was also launched, a new IIDEA project that provides an interactive map of the entities that operate in the production of video games in Italy.
MARKET
In 2024, the software segment recorded the best performance with an increase of 11% over the previous year, reaching 1.8 billion euros and representing 77% of the total turnover. The application segments are growing, reaching 903 million euros (+16%) and the digital segment with 715 million euros (+20%). Physical data is down compared to 2023 (-24%). However, if we compare the value generated by the purchase of video games in digital format (362 million euros) and in physical format (201 million euros), we can see that the purchase of packaged video games is still important for Italians.
The hardware segment decreased by 18% on an annual basis, reaching 548 million euros. 2024 was a transitional year for the console ecosystem, which should be interpreted in the light of a very atypical 2023, characterized by an exceptional software line-up and a boom in hardware sales after a year of supply difficulties. A slowdown that will not affect the development in 2025, with the release of highly anticipated titles and the launch of a new console.
CONSUMERS
In 2024, the number of Italians who are passionate about video games will increase by 7%, reaching 14 million people, or 33% of the Italian population aged between 6 and 64, with an average age of around 31. In particular, there has been a 16% increase in the number of female gamers, who now number 5.7 million. The number of male gamers also increased by 2.5% year-on-year, reaching 8.2 million.
The Italian gaming audience is confirmed to be predominantly adult, with a higher incidence in the 15-24 and 45-64 age groups. Furthermore, 8 out of 10 gamers are adults.
During 2024, 9.6 million Italians will spend at least one hour a week playing video games, 2.4 million will play less frequently, and 2.1 million will play at least once a year.
Mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets are confirmed as the main choice for Italian gamers (10.4 million, +13% compared to 2023), followed by consoles (6.2 million, +11.5%) and PCs (4.8 million, +5%).
The average weekly gaming time also shows a slight recovery after the decline of recent years: it will be 7.49 hours in 2024, compared with 6.53 hours in 2023.
INDUSTRY
The analysis of Italian video game production in 2024 reveals a sector that is growing and consolidating, with positive trends in terms of both turnover and employment. The sector, which in 2012 had 48 companies and a turnover of around 20 million euros, will have more than 200 operators in 2024, with an estimated turnover of between 180 and 200 million euros, an increase of 36% compared to 2022.
The number of employees is also growing: from 2,400 in 2022 to 2,800 in 2024, an increase of 19%. There is also a greater presence of companies with more than 6 employees (75% of the total), confirming a progressive consolidation of company structures. The average age of employees is concentrated in the 25-35 age group, with 80% of the workforce under 36. Women represent 23% of the workforce, with a greater presence in the support (36%), artistic (34%) and managerial (24%) sectors.
The sector is mainly made up of collective enterprises (66%), with a smaller presence of freelancers (19%) and individual enterprises (13%). 45% of the companies surveyed have been active in the sector for more than seven years, while 21% have been active for 1 to 3 years. The PC remains the main platform for publishing Made in Italy video games (86%), followed by consoles (44%) and mobile phones (37%).
Over the next two years, more than 80 new video games are expected to be launched, 62 of which are new intellectual properties, highlighting a strong drive towards innovation in the Italian sector. Video games published by Italian development studios are mainly destined for foreign markets: distribution in Italy (although increasing from 7% to 12% compared to the previous survey) remains limited. Europe is the main market (42%), followed by North America (37%). Asia (9%) and the Middle East and Africa (5%) have smaller shares, although they are slightly increasing compared to 2023.
The main source of funding for Italian development studios is still largely self-funding (88%). However, there is growing support from publishers (38%) and a higher incidence of public policies to support the sector (32%). Access to private investment and venture capital remains rather limited.
“The report presented paints a picture of a healthy and expanding industry, as demonstrated by the growth recorded both in terms of companies and consumers. The video game sector in Italy, which is competing for an increasingly central position in the international context, is developing along the lines of creativity and innovation, which, when combined, give life to a form of cultural expression capable of involving a heterogeneous public and transmitting knowledge. In fact, it is a sector capable of going beyond the boundaries of mere entertainment, considering, for example, the use in museums or schools. The Ministry of Culture pays great attention to the development of excellent video games in our country and promotes policies to support and promote them. Lastly, in terms of recent measures, the 12 million euro tax credit for the sector provided for in the 2025 Cinema Fund distribution decree has been confirmed again this year,” said Senator Lucia Borgonzoni, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Culture.
“Our annual report for 2024 clearly shows how video games have become one of the most popular forms of entertainment for Italians, with an industry that continues to grow and innovate even at the national level,” said Thalita Malagò, General Manager of IIDEA. “Looking to the future, our sector is asking Italian policymakers to recognise video games as a sector with specific needs and characteristics. This recognition is crucial in order to unleash the growth potential that is still untapped and to make a decisive contribution to a more sustainable development of the country and its digital and technological transition”.