Spain: A thriving hub for global video game development

Even in the current, challenging times for the global games industry, for developers and publishers seeking a strategic location to establish their studios or find co-development partners, Spain has emerged as a compelling choice.

PocketGamer.biz spoke to ICEX-Invest in Spain, to explore the key strengths that make Spain such fertile ground for video game development.

Video games in Spain?

Spain may not be the first option many people think of when it comes to designing and developing video games, but the country has a long and proud heritage in game development and a vibrant and active community across much of the territory.

According to the White Paper on Spanish Videogame Development 2023 published by DEV (the Spanish Association of Video Games and Entertainment Software Producers and Development Companies), which provides in-depth analysis of the whole games ecosystem, Spain deserves far more recognition as a key destination for game creation in today’s global games market.

In 2023, Spain had over 790 active games companies, 430 of which are incorporated businesses. According to the report over 66 percent of those studios have been around for more than five years.

Catalonia and Madrid are home to over half (51.7 percent) of the industry, with Andalusia and Valencia contributing a further 23.3 percent of the total.

Spanish video games earned €1.383 billion in 2023 an increase of eight percent since 2021 with Catalonia accounting for 51 percent of that total. This compares to €314 million billed in 2013 giving the overall Spanish market a growth rate of 440 percent in the last decade.

In terms of employment, the games sector in Spain employs 9,261 people, with 93 percent of that total being full-time (permanent) contracts. The jobs market has increased 3.5 times in the last decade, with diversity levels of women working in games growing to 26.4 percent, an increase of ten points since last measured in 2018.

ICEX-Invest in Spain: A gateway for international video game studios

ICEX-Invest in Spain, a public entity under the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Business, plays a pivotal role in attracting foreign direct investment in the Spanish audiovisual sector, including video games.

Launched in 2022, the Spain Audiovisual Bureau serves as a one-stop shop for international companies seeking to establish themselves within the Spanish video game development landscape. This initiative aligns with the strategic "Spain, Audiovisual Hub of Europe" plan, solidifying the country's commitment to fostering a robust video games industry.

Success stories

Leading video game companies like Rovio and Sandsoft have already established a presence in Spain, and their experiences highlight the country's advantages.

Rovio: Building a global puzzle powerhouse

Rovio established a studio in Barcelona in 2022. According to Miika Tams, senior vice president of Rovio's Puzzle Studio, Barcelona's established mobile gaming industry and its global talent pool were key factors in their decision. He emphasises the value of combining their Nordic work culture with the expertise available in Barcelona, created a "winning formula" for the studio’s global development strategy.

Tams told PocketGamer.biz: “Rovio is best known as the creator of ‘Angry Birds’ with studios across Scandinavia, Canada and Turkey. Our Puzzle Studio aims to develop the best games for puzzle gamers around the world and after careful evaluation, we chose Barcelona as our second Puzzle home to reach that goal.

"Most of our operations are running at our HQ in Finland, which is one of the global industry hot spots. We see Barcelona as another one, as it has a long background in mobile gaming and gathers talent from all over the world. It is also a wonderful city to be in.

"We now have the chance to work with talent from both locations and offer future candidates the right place for them to join us. It is that simple. We believe that combining our Nordic working culture with two industry hot-spot locations for the global talent pool is the winning formula.

"Honestly, it is also very fascinating. It is great to have two locations with different cultures, people around the world coming together with a mission to create entertainment for everyone who loves puzzle games out there.”

Jorge Gonzalez, head of puzzle operations Barcelona at Rovio, highlights the positive experience working with Spanish talent. The hybrid work model allows them to leverage a global team while fostering a collaborative environment. He highlighted the team's strong work ethic and the enriching experience of combining expertise from Finland and Spain.

“We have been very happy with our Barcelona team, which has gaming experts from all over the world working together with a hybrid work model. For each role we have opened, we have been happy to receive a large number of excellent candidates.

"Our office in Barcelona is part of Rovio's Puzzle Studio, with a portfolio of games like 'Angry Birds Dream Blast', 'Angry Birds Friends' and many others. We are one studio based in two different physical locations; Finland and Spain. What makes it possible are our excellent working practices. Being almost in the same time zone makes it easier, too!

"At Rovio, we believe in giving people the chance to connect in person. I vividly recall the first time our team from Spain travelled to Finland - it was November, and the cold was biting. We were all bundled up, wearing thermal shirts… Little did we know that a significant portion of our team would end up joining our local colleagues for a snowy dip in a pool by the sea, with the temperature at a bone-chilling -15°C!

"Rovio's commitment to fostering a global community extends beyond virtual interactions. Whether it’s braving icy waters or collaborating on game development, our diverse team members come together to create unforgettable experiences.

"We are a humble studio, but at the same time, we have big ambitions, working hard to make the best games for our fantastic fans. In order to reach that goal, we need the best team, and that is exactly what we have found in the combination of the experience, knowledge and work culture we have in our Finnish office, with the passion and capabilities of the talent in Spain.

"All the professionals in our Spanish office have been pleasantly surprised by our Nordic working style and we are confident that together we are on the right path to make excellent games.”

Sandsoft: A strategic European hub

Sandsoft Games, another industry leader, chose Spain for its European expansion. According to Pasqual Batalla, chief operations officer, Spain's thriving talent pool, fostered by universities with specialised programs in game development, design, and art, provides a steady stream of skilled professionals. The dynamic Spanish gaming ecosystem, with successful studios, industry events, and a supportive community, offers valuable collaboration opportunities.

“Overall, Sandsoft’s experience with Spanish talent and teams has been highly successful, reinforcing the company’s decision to establish a strong presence in Europe. We have found high-quality talent, a collaborative culture, great industry networking and a strong work ethic. Spanish talent is known for their strong work ethic and dedication. Their commitment to excellence and continuous improvement aligns well with Sandsoft’s vision and goals.”

Spain's geographical location serves as a gateway to both European and American markets, allowing Sandsoft to reach a wider audience.

The Spanish government's supportive stance towards the video game industry, with incentives, grants, and a business-friendly environment, further strengthens the country's appeal to developers and publishers around the world.

Spain's allure for video game developers

There are a wide range of factors contributing to Spain's attractiveness for international video game development studios:

• Talent pool: Spain boasts a world-class talent pool, nurtured by leading training centres and a history of successful video game studios. This ensures access to skilled professionals across various disciplines within the industry.
• Quality of life: Beyond professional opportunities, Spain offers an enviable quality of life. A positive work culture, a well-developed 5G network, excellent national and international mobility infrastructure, and a dynamic, innovative ecosystem, all contribute to a thriving work environment.
• Reduced establishment costs: Setting up a studio in Spain is cost-effective. Furthermore, the country's strategic location grants easy access to both the Latin American and European markets, fostering international reach. Spain's video game development community is passionate and well-connected, providing valuable networking opportunities.
• Government support: The Spanish government actively supports the video game industry through a range of initiatives. The Spain Audiovisual Hub Plan, development aids, visa facilitation programs, training programs, and a supportive legal framework all contribute to a business-friendly environment for video games development studios.

Conclusion

Spain's video game development industry is flourishing, fueled by a combination of factors: a world-class talent pool, a supportive government, a high quality of life, and a strategic location.

The success stories of industry leaders like Rovio and Sandsoft further solidify Spain's position as a global hub for video game development. For companies seeking to establish themselves within the rapidly evolving global games market, Spain offers a compelling proposition.