Hauts-de-France is a leading region in the video game industry, boasting a dynamic ecosystem at the heart of Europe. The region is home to over 50 studios, generates €270 million in annual revenue, and supports 1,000 direct and indirect jobs. Major players include Ankama (Dofus), Nacon (TOP 60 worldwide), and 52 Entertainment (Virtual Regatta).
Innovation is driven by four incubators in Lille, Amiens, Valenciennes, and Lens, strengthening the sector alongside specialized training programs. The region also hosts Game Camp France, the country’s largest video game industry gathering, welcoming nearly 2000 professionals annually in Lille, along with renowned studios such as Ubisoft, CD Projekt Red, and Epic Games.
With its strong industry, talent pool, and infrastructure, Hauts-de-France stands out as a key hub for video games in Europe.
KEY FIGURES
- 🏢 5,7% of total national video game companies
- 💻 80 % of local studios are indie video game studios
- 🧑💼1000 employees from the video game industry
- 🏫 4 specialized schools
- 📶 1 major event held annually
MAIN ACTORS
Studios: Ankama, Nacon, 52 Entertainment, Ishtar Games, Ludogram, 1P2P, Humble Reeds, 2.21, Atelier 801, Les Crafteurs
Publishers: Ankama, Nacon, Ishtar Games
Service Providers: Seaven Studio, Stormancer
Schools: Rubika, Piktura, e-artsup, Université d’Artois
Incubators and Accelerators: Plaine Images – Site d’excellence des ICC – Roubaix, Rive Créative – Valenciennes, Louvre Lens Vallée – Lens, Parc d’innovation – Amiens
REGIONAL PUBLIC FUNDINGS
Through the Pictanovo organization, the Hauts-de-France region provides schemes for prototyping and production.
KEY VIDEO GAME EVENT
Game Camp, the Great Video Game Professional Gathering in France.
Produced by Game In and co-created with the SNJV, Game Camp is the leading event for video game professionals in France. Since 2017, it has brought together the entire French industry each year for conferences, discussions, and experience sharing.
A must-attend event that fosters collaboration, innovation, and skill development across the sector, with top speakers from games and companies such as: Sandfall Interactive, Disco Elysium, CD Projekt Red, Mobius Digital, Arrowhead, Epic Games, Unity, Bippinbits,Mintrocket, Asobo, Nacon, Playdigious, Focus Ubisoft, Agora Gaming Partners, Hooded Horse, Evil Empire, Ubisoft, Shiro Games and more.
LOCATION & ATTRACTIVENESS
🚊Transport infrastructure: Gare de Lille Flandres, Gare de Lille Europe / Lesquin Airport, Beauvais Airport.
💡Attractive cities for video game companies: Lille, Roubaix, Tourcoing, Valenciennes, Lens, Amiens
The Hauts-de-France region is internationally recognized for its welcoming business environment and the warmth of its people. The Lille metropolitan area, like other urban centers in the region, offers a rich architectural heritage ideal for business development, supported by strong local and regional public policies that promote innovation and the cultural and creative industries. One of the region’s key advantages lies in its availability of space for new companies to establish themselves. For instance, there are currently no major AAA players in the area, which presents a unique opportunity for companies looking to grow. The region also boasts a large pool of talent and a solid industry base, illustrated by the presence of long-standing players such as Ankama and Nacon. Strategically located at the crossroads of Europe, Hauts-de-France offers easy access to Paris, London, Brussels, and Cologne.
THE LOCAL ASSOCIATION
Since 2009, Game Industry North (Game IN) has been uniting and structuring the video game industry in Hauts-de-France, working alongside national stakeholders. With over 50 members, it supports studios in their development, establishment, and networking with professionals and schools. Game IN organizes events and founded Game Camp France, the must-attend annual event for industry professionals.
🛜 https://game-in.org