J. Clement
Research lead covering internet and gaming
Video gaming in France - Statistics & Facts
Video gaming has become a mainstream leisure activity in France and this position has only been solidified during the COVID-19 pandemic as many people turned towards gaming not only for entertainment but also for socializing purposes. Video gaming market revenues in France are projected to reach nearly 8.36 billion U.S. dollars in 2027, up from 6.3 billion U.S. dollars in 2022. Console gaming is the highest grossing gaming platform in France, with PC coming in second after narrowly edging out mobile. In 2022, console gaming sales in France amounted to 2.57 billion euros, accounting for 46 percent of the market.
Almost half of French gamers played video games nearly every day or more often, and approximately four in ten French gamers spend up to five hours on video games on a weekly basis.
Overall, 80 percent of internet users in France stated that they played video games on any device, with smartphone ranking ahead of consoles in terms of usage reach.
French gaming audiences
As of 2023, more than half of the French population identified as gamers, which translates to approximately 42.03 million gamers in France. The profile of French gamers is very varied and cannot be limited to one age group or gender. Video gaming penetration is almost universal among teenagers, and this figure gradually decreases with age. Additionally, the gender distribution of gaming audiences in France is almost balanced.Almost half of French gamers played video games nearly every day or more often, and approximately four in ten French gamers spend up to five hours on video games on a weekly basis.
French gaming preferences
The rankings of the top-selling games in France currently highlight the dominance of the console gaming segment. The best-selling video game in France was FIFA 23, followed by Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, and Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Action and sports games are the best-selling gaming genres in France, followed by role-playing and shooter games.Overall, 80 percent of internet users in France stated that they played video games on any device, with smartphone ranking ahead of consoles in terms of usage reach.
The video game industry in France
The video game industry is one of the leading digital media industries in France. As both a producer and consumer, France has been able to carve out its share of the international market. With successes such as the best-selling game series Assassin’s Creed (published by French company Ubisoft) or mobile games, this industry has been able to invite itself into the living rooms of many French people. Ubisoft, Gameloft, DontNod Entertainment and Quantic Dream are only a few of the many developers established in France that have emerged over the years and have been able to demonstrate French know-how and expertise on the international stage.
