Belgium will present its growing video game sector on an international stage this week as more than 60 studios, developers, and professionals head to Cologne, Germany, for Gamescom 2025, Europe’s largest video game trade fair.
The Belgian delegation, representing Flanders, Brussels, and Wallonia, will seek to make its mark in an industry still recovering from the pandemic while grappling with intense competition and market saturation.
For the first time, Belgium will host two separate stands: one dedicated to Wallonia and another for Flanders and Brussels.
“Flanders has larger studios, while in Wallonia many start-ups and student projects are emerging,” said Jean Gréban, coordinator of Walga, the Walloon video game sector federation. “The aim in the south of the country is to raise awareness, improve developers’ skills, and build connections with international markets, such as Brazil and Asia.”
The distinction highlights Belgium’s regional strengths and ambitions. Around 30 studios and organizations from each side will use the opportunity to showcase Belgian innovation, particularly in independent (indie) game development.
This segment has become increasingly important as the risks and costs associated with big-budget, or so-called triple-A, titles grow.
Independent studios may not match the scale of blockbuster releases such as the much-anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI, but they offer financial resilience and creativity.
“We’re in the right segment with independent games, which are much less risky financially than triple-A titles,” Gréban explained. “We’re beginning to be at the forefront of self-publishing and self-promoting games, and our approach is to think local, then global.”
This strategy comes at a time when the industry is crowded with new releases. On Steam, the world’s largest platform for computer games, nearly 18,000 titles were launched in 2024, with 20,000 expected this year. The challenge for developers is not only to produce engaging games but also to stand out in a saturated marketplace.
Despite Gamescom’s vast public appeal—with tens of thousands of visitors expected between Thursday and Sunday—most Belgian studios will focus their attention on the trade show, which begins Wednesday.
It is in this professional setting that developers hope to secure publishing deals, establish partnerships, and attract the attention of international media and investors.
The stakes are high. Belgium’s gaming sector, while small compared to international heavyweights, has grown steadily in recent years. By presenting at Gamescom, Belgian studios hope to consolidate their presence in the European market and position themselves globally.
Ultimately, the event represents more than just an exhibition of talent. For Belgian developers, it is a chance to prove their resilience and adaptability in a shifting industry, to gain visibility for their projects, and to reaffirm their role in shaping the future of video games.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
