The number of video game startups in Catalonia grows 35% over the past five years

Startups in Catalonia’s video game sector have grown by 35% over the past five years, according to a new study by ACCIÓ-Catalonia Trade & Investment, the agency for business growth under the Ministry for Business and Labour. The report, titled The video game sector in Catalonia, also highlights that between 2020 and 2024, these companies raised a total of US$132 million in funding.

As regards the number of startups, 2024 marked a record high, with a total of 58 companies working in this industry, 11 of which are scaleups, meaning companies with high growth potential. These startups represent 2.5% of the total number of startups in Catalonia.

At a city level, Barcelona ranks as the fourth city in the European Union with the highest number of video game startups, according to The Global Startup Ecosystem Index Report 2025 by StartupBlink.

Overall, Catalonia is home to 262 companies and studios dedicated to video game development, employing more than 5,100 professionals. These companies generate aggregate revenues of €756 million, representing 53% of total revenue for the video game industry in Spain, according to the White Paper on the Catalan Video Game Industry prepared by the Ministry of Culture.

 
International appeal

The ACCIÓ-Catalonia Trade & Investment report also shows that over the most recent five-year period (2020–2024), Catalonia has been the European Union’s leading region in attracting projects, foreign investment, and job creation in the video game sector. In total, Catalonia attracted 24 foreign investment projects in this industry, accounting for 15% of the EU total. These projects represented €158.2 million in investment, more than 12% of the EU total, and led to the creation of 1,452 jobs, more than 15% of the total.

Among the main factors driving companies to invest in Catalonia are the availability of a large pool of highly qualified talent, excellent quality of life, and the presence of an industrial cluster, along with other factors such as a strong commitment to technology and innovation, good transport infrastructure, and proximity to markets and customers, according to the report.

The video game sector encompasses the entire industry dedicated to the creation, development, publishing, distribution, and monetization of video games.

Over the past five years alone, global foreign direct investment in the video game industry has exceeded €7.8 billion.

Barcelona, Europe's new global gaming hub

Barcelona’s status as a strategic base for international video game companies continues to grow, with major players making substantial commitments to the city. Leading this wave, Socialpoint has recently opened its main European hub in the 22@ district, serving as Take-Two Interactive’s core facility and employing over 350 people. Similarly, Scopely launched an 8,500 m² tech and creative hub that now houses more than 700 professionals across game development, technology, and live operations. 

The city has also attracted companies establishing their first European presence. Chinese video game company Lilith Games chose Barcelona for this purpose, investing in local studio XRON to expand into premium PC and multiplatform games, while NetEase Games established Anchor Point Studios in Barcelona to develop action-adventure games for console and PC, recruiting talent across Europe and North America. Meanwhile, FunPlus expanded its existing Barcelona studio with plans to create 120 new jobs.

This momentum extends beyond these flagship investments. Other global companies, including IO Interactive, Rovio, Ubisoft, Sandsoft, Smilegate, Bespoke Pixel, and Tripledot Studios, have launched studios or growth operations in the city, generating hundreds of high-value jobs. Together, these investments—spanning AAA development, mobile gaming, and technology innovation—are establishing Barcelona as a leading European hub for the video game industry.