From Hobby to Professional Gaming: Gaming Brings Significant Profit

The gaming industry has evolved from a hobby to professional video game playing and has become a global phenomenon attracting millions of viewers. Technological advancements have significantly contributed to the growing attention towards gaming, while parental perceptions of video gaming have also changed in the meantime. Gaming is no longer just a pastime, but a serious activity that generates substantial profits.

The potential of esports, competitions in video gaming, was recognized as early as 2017 by A1 Croatia, a company that has invested over two million euros in gaming to date. Among the first initiatives was the launch of the ‘A1 Adria League’, which has become the longest-running and most popular regional esports league. This was followed by collaboration with ‘Reboot InfoGamer powered by A1’, the largest gaming fair in the region, and the entrepreneurial incubator PISMO powered by A1. Various gaming competitions were also launched, such as ‘A1 Student eChallenge’, ‘Reboot Games Weekend powered by A1’, and ‘Reboot Online Games Week powered by A1’. A1 competitions, for instance, gathered over 6,000 competitors last year alone, who competed for a prize pool exceeding 42,000 euros.

Significant Analysis

In gaming, Croatia is not lagging behind the world, as shown by the Analysis of the Croatian Video Game Industry in 2023 conducted by the Cluster of Croatian Video Game Producers with the support of A1. Many may be surprised by the data on gaming companies’ revenues of 56.6 million euros, profits of 10.3 million euros, and a record total of around 500 employees. Additionally, since 2019, the number of gaming companies with more than ten employees has doubled, and the market has become decentralized. Croatian games are even three times more represented among players using the Steam platform than titles from producers in other countries. Currently, more than 150 video games are being developed in Croatia, with 68 percent of national game developers utilizing artificial intelligence in their game development. To protect players from negative content, as many as 23 percent of studios have abandoned gambling mechanics and unfair advertising. The aforementioned projects have certainly contributed to the significant development of gaming, as the ‘A1 Adria League’ has hosted over 30,000 domestic and international players who competed for a total prize pool of 227,925 euros, along with more than 10 million impressions on the web from around the world.

Students and Games

At the Zagreb Fair in November last year, the tenth edition of the ‘Reboot InfoGamer powered by A1’ fair was held on 10,000 square meters. Over three days, it attracted more than 65,000 visitors and over 100 exhibitors.

At the same time, on a spectacular stage in the largest A1 zone to date, which spanned 1,500 square meters, the finals of the fourteenth season of the ‘A1 Adria League’ and the fourth season of the ‘A1 Student eChallenge’, a student gaming competition, were held.

– Since A1 Croatia recognized the potential of the gaming industry back in 2017, we have systematically invested in its development through numerous projects, initiatives, and strategic partnerships. Over the eight years of holding the ‘A1 Adria League’, it has become the heart of the regional esports scene – the longest-running and most recognizable league that provides thousands of players with the opportunity to showcase their gaming skills. At the same time, through the ‘A1 Student eChallenge’, we encourage young people to actively engage in the gaming industry, both as players and in organizational and administrative roles. A1 Croatia strongly contributes to the development of gaming in partnership with the PISMO incubator, supporting key gaming events such as ‘Reboot InfoGamer’ and educational activities on the #BoljiOnline platform. All of this confirms that gaming is not just entertainment, but a growing industry with significant economic and social potential, and A1 Croatia remains a leader in the development of this industry in the region – stated Diana Svalina, Senior Specialist for Marketing Communications and Events at A1 Croatia.

Content created in collaboration with A1 Croatia.