Heads up, gamers! For the first time, Serbia’s setting up its National Stand at the mega Gamescom gaming fair in Cologne from 23rd to 27th August, announced the Chamber of Commerce of Serbia (CCS).
Showcasing at this global gaming business summit, in collaboration with the Serbian Video Game Industry Association (SGA) and backed by the CCS and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), are nine stellar companies: Two Desperados, Art Bully, Gamebizz Consulting, Spring Onion Studio, and more.
But it’s not just games. These firms delve into e-sports, craft trailers, animations, design characters and graphics, and also advise on marketing, monetisation, and business strategy within the gaming realm.
Under the banner “The New Frontier of European Game Dev”, the spotlight at the National Stand will be on celebrating Serbia’s elite talents, homegrown games, and top-notch services for the global gaming audience.
Mihailo Vesović of CCS threw his weight behind the Serbian game developers, “We’ve identified the burgeoning significance of the gaming industry within the rapidly growing IT sector. What makes it special? Its multidisciplinary approach, involving psychologists, writers, artists, designers, and more. A testament to Serbia’s gaming prowess? Last year, the top 15 gaming firms netted a whopping €150 million, and Serbian-made games captivated over 100 million global players in 2022.”
In a quick flashback, Gamescom in Cologne last year drew a crowd of 265,000 from 100 countries, had 1,100 exhibitors from 53 nations, and garnered a jaw-dropping 230 million online views during the event.
Ranked alongside San Francisco’s GDC and Tokyo Game Show in Japan, Gamescom is among the global gaming industry’s ‘big three’. Interestingly, its value has surpassed the combined worth of the film and music industries.
Serbian companies have made sporadic appearances at Gamescom in the past, but 2023 marks Serbia’s maiden organised participation.
Wrapping up, Serbia’s gaming industry currently employs about 2,500 experts from diverse sectors. The projection for this year? A need for an additional 330 pros, as per the CCS.