If Île-de-France is among the most attractive regions in Europe for foreign investors, our region is also the one which hosts the greatest concentration of video game publishers in France with more than 40% of video game players. the French sector on its territory.
In 2018, the Île-de-France region created one of the first regional aid funds intended for video game creators, after the Hauts-de-France region. Today, it is a heavyweight in the French industry with nearly 43.4% of players in the video game sector, i.e. developers, technology suppliers and service providers, publishers and distributors, according to the latest barometer from the National Video Game Union (SNJV).
However, for almost thirteen years, Île-de-France has hosted Paris Games Week, the largest French video game show at the initiative of the Union of Leisure Software Publishers (SELL). France 3 Paris Île-de-France asked 3 questions to James Rebours, its president and organizer of Paris Games Week.
→ Read: Paris Games Week 2023: program, new features… the French video game show is thinking big for its return
After two cancellations due to the pandemic and a reduced edition in a single hall, Paris Games Week returns this year in “Next Level” format in three halls at the Porte de Versailles. • © EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP
James Rebours : Île-de-France welcomes more than 300 companies on its territory. They employ 4,000 people, often in highly qualified positions with very specific engineering or creative profiles. This is more than a billion and a half in turnover generated, only in Île-de-France. We are seeing a real dynamic that involves the entire Ile-de-France region. It is the leading region in France in the sector and boosts the entire French video game industry.
“Île-de-France is the leading region in France in the sector and boosts the entire French video game industry”
James Rebours
Organizer of the PGW and president of SELL
Within Paris Games Week, we have created spaces linked to training and schools in Paris and the region which provide training in video games. More than eleven schools will be present. When you take young people who are passionate about video games, more than 40% [des 18-24 ans selon une étude SELL / Médiamétrie réalisée en 2022, ndlr] are interested in making this their professional future.
What we are trying to do, at the SELL level and with the regions, is to be able to boost this training ecosystem, whether public or private schools. There is a real demand to train new talents that we will find in the technological innovation section or in the artistic creation section.
→ The video game training network brings together around twenty schools, such as the Bellecour school in Lyon (private), the CEPE-IAE at the University of Poitiers (public), the National Game School and interactive digital media in Angoulême (public) or the ISART Digital school in Paris (private), editor’s note.
“The idea is to apply [à l’Olympic Esports Week] and this is of interest to all political actors in the Ile-de-France region.”
James Rebours
Organizer of the PGW and president of SELL
One of the biggest pillars of this edition of Paris Games Week is esports, which is part of a dimension linked to sport. With the Olympic period approaching, France is making sure that it can also host the Olympic Esports Week [une semaine de compétitions d’esport organisée par la Comité international olympique Nous [la SELL] hope to take part in it as a continuation of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The idea is to apply and compete. This is of interest to all political actors in the Ile-de-France region.
Spectators watch competitors take part in a cycling event during Olympic Esports Week in Singapore, June 23, 2023. • © ROSLAN RAHMAN / AFP
James Rebours : In terms of usage, video games are the number one leisure activity for the French. Today, nearly 7 out of 10 French people play video games, whether they are young people or seniors. The important point is that in terms of diversity, 49% of players are female players in France.
We had a structural trend of increasing video game use among French and European populations, which accelerated with the pandemic. The children then found themselves with their parents, almost forced to share passionate moments around the use of video games. This was a great accelerator during the pandemic.
→ In 2022, the average age of the French player is 39 years old according to latest review of video games published by the Union of Leisure Software Publishers (SELL), editor’s note.
Monique Carreau (70 years old) and Marcel Bonomo (95 years old), bowling champions on Wii Sports. • © DAVID BRUNET / MAXPPP
James Rebours : And now, we also have an approach where certain young children have been hosted for a weekend by their grandparents. They almost introduced them to video games to make them a real intergenerational social leisure activity.
→ Read: E-Sport. Breton seniors secure their place for Paris Games Week
“The SilverGeek association is the absolute example that video games have become transgenerational”
James Rebours
Organizer of the PGW and president of SELL
James Rebours : As part of SELL – Union of Leisure Software Publishers, we aim to support associations such as SilverGeek which is the absolute example that video games have become transgenerational. This is not intended for use by young children.
James Rebours : In France, the industry is worth 5.5 billion euros. It is the leading cultural industry, ahead of cinema, music and even books. This is an important point taken into account by institutions and many players on the French market.
“More than a third of our visitors are from outside Île-de-France. There is a real attraction effect towards the Ile-de-France region”
James Rebours
Organizer of the PGW and president of SELL
During Paris Games Week 2022, we had the chance to welcome Minister of Culture Rima Abdul-Malak. She is now convinced of the growth of video games. The Secretary of State for Digital Jean-Noël Barrot also came. This will be reiterated this year, in particular with the Minister of Sports [et des Jeux olympiques et paralympiques, ndlr] Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, who will also be present.
Minister of Culture Rima Abdul-Malak and Minister Delegate for Digital Jean-Noël Barrot visiting Paris Games Week, November 3, 2022 in Paris. • © BRUNO LEVESQUE / MAXPPP
Beyond that, even if our name is “Paris” Games Week, it remains a very national event because more than a third of our visitors are from outside Île-de-France. There is a real attraction effect towards the Ile-de-France region for this event.
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