The French video game market is in great shape. If 2020 was already a record year, 2021 continued to see the market grow in our territory. The shortage of consoles linked to tensions over semiconductors has not marred the excellent results of the year that has just ended. €5.6 billion were generated in 2021.
Hardware sales jump 22%
It is clear that for the video game industry, the epidemic has been a real boon. After an excellent year 2020 marked by the health crisis, the market continued to grow in 2021 to reach 5.6 billion euros. A rise of 1.6% compared to the previous year and a historical record. Even more impressive: between 2019 and 2021, total sales of hardware (PC and consoles), games and accessories are up 13.5% according to the report of the Syndicate of Software Publishers (Sell).
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Revenues from the French video game market. Image: Sell
On this subject, Julie Chalmette, president of Sell, specifies that “The year 2020 had been extraordinary, but special because of the context. This growth confirmed in 2021 is part of a real underlying trend. The French have never played so much”. It must be said that the last two years have been marked by the arrival of new consoles. Including the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series. This is precisely the growth of the segment “hardware” (1.766 billion euros, i.e. growth of 22% over one year) which allows the French video game market to be on this excellent dynamic.
Breakdown of hardware and software sales in 2021. Image: Sell
French video games are doing well
Surprisingly, game sales are down 11% in 2021. It must be said that the year 2020 had been historic. Under the effect of the various confinements, the French had wanted to equip themselves so as not to be bored. This trend faded slightly in 2021. The daily resumed its rights. Also, there were fewer highlights in terms of releases. Publishers have faced great difficulties, “with delays in launching or reorganizing teams in the midst of a pandemic”.
As often, Fifa dominated sales in 2021. 1.592 million copies of the latest version of the famous video game have passed. We should also note the great breakthrough of Nintendo’s Switch console, which managed to place 9 games in the Top 20. We find in particular Pokémon Sparkling Diamond and Pokémon Sparkling Pearl. The mobile game accuses a slight decline of 1% to reach 1.411 billion euros. It is now overtaken (slightly) by the PC ecosystem, which generated 1.492 billion euros (+5% over the year 2021).