The European Parliament’s Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) has unanimously adopted a resolution that proposes a vote on whether or not the European Union should develop a long-term video game strategy. This legislation could fundamentally change the future of the video games and esports industries in Europe.
CULT is asking the wider European Parliament to increase the number of video game productions in Europe through more funding. In 2022, the Creative Europe program allocated €6 million to fund video game productions, but CULT said this was insufficient.
It’s not clear if the EU will also consider tax breaks in exchange for companies creating or expanding game companies in the territory. Other countries — such as Australia and Canada — do provide these incentives. However, it’s clear that if the EU does not make itself more hospitable for game companies, those companies may seek these incentives somewhere else.
Similarly, CULT argued that the European game industry was chronically struggling with a talent shortage. They see this as particularly problematic because the games industry is reliant on innovation. To develop talent — both for the games industry and Europe as a whole — the resolution insists that video games should be explored as a teaching tool.
On an economic level, Covid showed the Members of European Parliament (MEPs) the value of the video game industry. It was the only creative and cultural industry in Europe to grow during the crisis. This resiliency and high potential for growth and innovation are why MEPs are arguing for greater governmental support and oversight of the sector. In an uncertain global economy, MEPs are turning to video games to grow jobs, GDP and the EU’s cultural footprint.
For years, esports has struggled with whether or not to define itself as a sport. The resolution will settle the debate on the continent — esports will not be regulated as sports by the EU. MEPs point to the digital component of esports and the underlying commercial interest of publishers as distinguishing factors from sports. This likely benefits IP holders who will retain greater control over their esports products than they would if they were governed like sports.
Despite this distinction, regulations are still on the way for the European esports industry. The resolution calls for developing a framework that will govern professional players’ employment, requests a new type of visa for professional players and further work to combat doping and match-fixing.
