Our weekly spotlight on the world’s hottest gaming markets
KEY RETAILERS Auchan, Media Markt, Tesco
MAIN DISTRIBUTORS Expert, Stadlbauer Marketing, Ramiris Europe
TOP DEVELOPERS Black Hole Games, Crytek Budapest, Digital Reality, Invictus, Zen Studios
PUBLISHERS WITH A LOCAL OFFICE
Activision Blizzard, Electronic Arts, Microsoft
THE FACTS Population: 10,014,324 Currency: Forint GDP (Per Capita): $14,050 Capital City: Budapest Languages: Hungarian
ABOUT THE MARKET
HUNGARY’S consumer electronics devices markets – which encompasses games consoles, smartphones, tablets, PCs and more – is projected to be worth $2.4bn in 2012, according to Business Monitor International. Revenues have grown but very slowly, primarily due to consumers tightening their belts to counter economic decline. But spending is expected to increase by roughly six per cent every year to $3bn by 2016. Most of this growth is expected from the TV and notebook sectors, rather than video gaming. However, BMI warns that Hungary is still facing a tough year due to tighter credit conditions, declining confidence and rising unemployment. This has taken its toll on local retailers – most notably Electro World, formerly owned by DSGi, which struggled with bankruptcy and ultimately closed last year. Instead, the retail space is dominated by the usual
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hypermarket chains that have established themselves across Europe.
Revenues have grown but very slowly, due to consumers tightening their belts to counter economic decline.
In 2011, computer hardware accounted for more than half of Hungary’s spending on consumer electronics, and this is expected to grow in the coming years – again, driven by notebooks. Strong growth is also expected from the mobile market as demand rises for smartphones and 3G handsets. Hungary has a healthy games development community. In the past the country has produced classic titles such as Ecco The Dolphin. Current notable studios include Black Hole Games, which develops Might & Magicand Warhammertitles, and PC developer Digital Reality. Also in the region is Crytek Budapest, which has remained quiet since 2008’s Crysis Warhead– a title that won them a Star of Hungary award, which recognises artistic, sporting and scientific achievements.