Video Games in Romania

PRE-COVID-19 PERFORMANCE

Digital gaming builds up head of Steam

In 2019, the video games category was been shifting more and more towards digital gaming, in the context of rising smartphone penetration and availability of platforms such as Steam. The Steam platform offers the increasingly popular concept of free-to-play games.

Activision leads but competition strengthens

Activision Blizzard Inc remained the most successful brand owner within video games in Romania in 2019, with strong physical and digital sales. However, its sales share is declining due to the falling popularity of games such as World of Warcraft or Call of Duty.

E-sport competitions are showcase events

Presence in e-sport competitions is essential if a video game is to be relevant for consumers and keep up in this competitive industry. Championship pools are gaining high amounts of money, triggering the attention of both players and investors.

2020 AND BEYOND

COVID-19 impact

In 2020, sales of video games are still expected to grow by 11% in constant 2019 value terms, in light of the impact of COVID-19. This rise in sales was also forecast in our 2019 edition of toys and games, albeit marginally lower taking into account rounding up.

Affected products within video games

Amid falls in disposable income in 2020 caused by economic downturn triggered by the pandemic, it has helped sales that the average unit price of static consoles has continued to fall, even if only slightly. This has combined with extended home seclusion for both children and adults to accelerate new purchases of static consoles in 2020.

Recovery and opportunities

As lockdown measures ease over 2020, Romanians will have less time for gaming than they did in Q1 given the reopening of schools and workplaces. Prior to seasonal sales, this will balance out the spikes in sales of video games recorded earlier in the year as people increasingly sought to alleviate boredom and pass the time at home.

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