The video game sector in the Basque Country is seeking to consolidate itself as an economic and social driving force, while facing global challenges and supporting local initiatives for integration and positive impact.

On International Video Game Day, the sustained growth of this industry is highlighted, which had a turnover of more than 2,000 million euros in Spain last year. However, the sector is also facing important challenges, such as staff cuts and the need to change the social perception of video games. Jorge López, professor at the University of Deusto and head of Gate 8 Games, stresses the importance of addressing these challenges from a local perspective.

According to López, video games are no longer age-related. "Today we see players of all generations, from young people to older adults, who find in them a form of entertainment and connection," he explains. Projects such as Impact Gamers seek to educate young people in the creation of video games with social messages, using this tool to promote positive values ​​and combat problems such as cyberbullying or loneliness.

The sector is also looking towards older adults, the Golden Gamers, who are encouraged to play collaboratively, helping to reduce loneliness and promote socialisation. This initiative has been well received and has shown how video games can be used to improve quality of life at different stages.

Despite the growth and innovative initiatives, Euskadi faces the challenge of consolidating its own video game ecosystem. López emphasises that, although there is local talent, there is a lack of institutional support and visibility to turn the region into a benchmark in the sector. "It is crucial that these opportunities are created to prevent our talent from having to go abroad," he points out.

Engineer Aimar Jiménez, specialised in virtual reality and a former student of López, points out that, although local development is complicated, there are opportunities for small and emerging projects. "With events and local support, we could create an environment that allows young developers to grow without having to leave Euskadi," he comments.

For experts, the future of the sector in the Basque Country depends on a greater cultural commitment and the ability to adapt to new technologies such as artificial intelligence and 5G. The hope is that, with the right push, video games can be not only a source of entertainment, but also a source of positive social change in the region.