MCV/DEVELOP News, events, research and jobs from the games industry
Despite its relative youth, Serbia’s games industry is quickly growing into an important presence on the worldwide stage.
According to research outlet Newzoo, Serbia is the 60th biggest games market in terms of revenue worldwide. The country generated $46.7 million (30.1m) in games revenue last year.
The Serbian games market appears to reflect the industries of the UK and US.
The University of Novi Sad conducted a survey on the most popular titles in the country, finding that Serbian gamers counted Call of Duty, World of Warcraft and Counter-Strike among the most popular online titles.
One of the biggest developers based in the country is Nordeus, which released sports management title Top Eleven in 2010. Top Eleven is the world’s most popular sports game on mobile, with over 100 million registered players.
Another major player is Eipix Entertainment. It collaborated with US organisation the Smithsonian Institution to produce Hidden Expedition: Smithsonian Hope Diamond in 2014.
Serbia’s games industry is keeping pace with the trends of its Western counterparts.
Belgrade developer Cofa Games released the first MOBA title to be created in the country, Awakening of Heroes, on PC and mobile last summer.
As well as this, a more recent trend has taken off in the country – that of toys-to-life. According to local distributor Iris Mega, Serbia is one of thestrongest markets in EMEA for interactive toys; brands such as Skylanders and Disney Infinitycomprise almost a third (30 per cent) of total games revenue.
Games continue to grow in popularity in Serbia, despite their premium status.
The average monthly wage is 44,206 dinar (264) – but, regardless of this, the cost of new titles for PS4 and Xbox One is similar to their price tags in the UK, coming in at around 9,999 dinar (60).
Population: 7,209,764
Capital City: Belgrade
Currency: Dinar
GDP (Per Capita): $6,123 (excluding Kosovo)
KEY RETAILERS
Game-S, Computerland, ComTrade Shop
TOP DISTRIBUTORS
Iris Mega
TOP DEVELOPERS
Nordeus, Stygian Software, Digital Arrow, Eipix Entertainment, G2 CES, Metamorf, Cofa Games
NOTABLE GAMES FIRMS WITH A LOCAL OFFICE
Sony, Microsoft
