Video gaming in Belgium
This article is about the video game market and culture in Belgium.
Consumer availability
Distribution
Distribution in the Belgium is usually done by publishers that cover the entire Benelux, although some of the publishers' offices are located in Belgium. Since not every publisher has a separate office for the Benelux, certain publishers take care of multiple labels, including those of other publishers.
Rating
Belgium supports the PEGI rating system but there is no legislative basis. PEGI was developed and is owned by the Interactive Software Federation of Europe which is based in Brussels.[1]
Sales
[2]In 2012, according to a report by Newzoo,the Belgian games market generated $ 390m of revenues in 2012 with the total number of gamers at 4.4million. The total time spent on games was on average 9 hours per person per week.In 2011, the Belgian consumer bought 6.54 million games. More than 84% of those games were console games. The sales generated a revenue of 220 million euro, which means they stayed stable compared to 2010. [3]
Belgium's appearance in video games
Belgium is not often used as an originally created setting for video games, although it does appear in some types of simulation games.
- World War II games
The famous Battle of the Bulge is featured in the following video games:
- Battle of the Bulge, various wargames simulating the battle.
- Call of Duty: United Offensive, the American campaign is set during the Battle of the Bulge.
- Medal of Honor: European Assault, the final campaign is set at the start of the Battle.
- Bulge '44 (HPS Simulations) An operational level strategy wargame, covering many scenarios, both historic and alternative.
- Racing games
- Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is a popular racing circuit. It's the host of the Belgian Grand Prix and has been featured in many Formula One games and other racing games like Need for Speed: Shift and Race Driver: Grid.
- Sports games
In most of the international sports games, such as the FIFA football games and olympic video games, teams or players from the Belgium are featured.
Video game development
Game developers from Belgium
| Company | Location | Founded | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Larian Studios | Ghent | 1996 | core games and educational games |
| Tale of Tales | Ghent | 2002 | art games |
| Newfort | Ghent | 2002 (as Endrone) | online and mobile games |
| Neopica | Ghent | 2007 | casual games |
| Playlane | Drongen | 2007 | custom games and serious games |
| GriN | Antwerp | 2002 | research and development |
| Nuclide | Antwerp | casual and mobile games | |
| Sakari Games | Antwerp | 2008 | game content |
| AIM Productions | Hove | 1994 | online games, custom games |
| PreviewLabs | Kontich | 2009 | rapid prototyping |
| Fishing Cactus | Mons | 2008 | mobile and downloadable games |
| AMA Studios | Charleroi | 2009 | motion games |
| DAE Studios | Kortrijk | 2010 | |
| Fresh3D | 2004 | indie games and game services | |
| Visual Impact | Brussels | 1994 | handheld games and localization |
| Belle Productions | Mont-Saint-Guibert | 1996 | serious games and advergames |
| LuGus Studios | Genk | 2011 | custom games and serious games |
| Triangle Factory | Ghent | 2010 | social and mobile games |
| Sileni Studios | Antwerp | 2012 | browser games |
Defunct game developers
| Company | Founded | Endend | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Tacle Studios | 2003 | 2008 | founded as elseWhere Entertainment, filed for bankruptcy in August 2008 |
| Appeal | 1995 | 2002 | |
| Hyperion Entertainment | 1999 | ||
| Gabitasoft | 2006 | ||
| Hippo Point Interactive | 2008 | 2010 | filed for bankruptcy |
Games developed in Belgium
- The L.E.D. Wars
- Adventure Rock
- LMK: The Lady, the Mage and the Knight
- Outcast
- Divine Divinity
- Beyond Divinity
- Divinity II: Ego Draconis
- Divinity II: Flames of Vengeance
- Divinity II: The Dragon Knight Saga
- The Endless Forest
- The Graveyard
- The Path
Video game publishing
Game publishers from Belgium
| Company | Location | Founded | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Ben Interactive Belgium | Tubize | 1992 (as Atoll Soft) | publishing and accessory distribution |
| Transposia | Ghent | 1994 | localization and edutainment |
Education
University college
| Program | School | City | Degree | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Arts & Entertainment | Howest | Kortrijk | Bachelor | digitalartsandentertainment.be |
| Communication and mediadesign, profile game art & design | KHLim | Genk | Master | mad-fac.be/content/communicatie-en-mediadesign |
Other
Syntra LIMBURG offers multiple gaming courses. [7]
Media
Print media
| Magazine | Publisher | Since |
|---|---|---|
| PC Gameplay | Prodigo | 1994 |
| Officieel PlayStation Magazine | Think Media | 1996 |
| 9lives (formerly known as Gunk) | T.Vgas | 2004 |
| Chief | Think Media | 2007 |
Television
Programs
| Title | Channel | Since |
|---|---|---|
| Gamepower | JIM | 1996 |
| Gametown | TMF | 2010 |
Defunct Programs
| Title | Channel | From | Until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shrimp tv | TMF | 2001 | 2003 |
| GUNK TV | TMF and VT4(from 2008) | 2004 | 2009 |
Defunct Channels
Online media
References
- ^ "About PEGI? Owners and administrators.". PEGI S.A. Retrieved 22/7/2012.
- ^ "Belgian Games Market Summary". Newzoo.
- ^ "Belgen hebben meer dan 6,5 miljoen games gekocht". BEA. Retrieved 22/7/2012.
- ^ drealmer (April 6, 2009). "Video Game Developers in Belgium".
- ^ Vlaamse Game Development Blog (Januari 15, 2011). "Vlaamse Game Developers".
- ^ http://www.gamecareerguide.com/schools/
- ^ "Werken in de gamesector". Departement cultuur, jeugd, sport en media. Retrieved 22/7/2012.
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