Around 330 Experts More to Be Employed in Video Game Industry in Serbia in 2023, SGA Estimates

The Serbian Games Association (SGA) published an annual report in April in which it estimates that around 330 new jobs will be created in the gaming industry in 2023. Video game producers, marketing and user acquisition are cited as the most demanded positions, and the studios, of which there are around 140, also offer paid practice to the young.

Playstudios Europe, headquartered in Belgrade, currently employs nearly 200 people, and the growing demand for the production of casual and F2P games is cited as the main thing in favor of new jobs.

– With the development of the technology, the visual quality and the quality of ideas grow as well, so sometimes, up to several hundred developers, designers, copywriters and other experts work on mobile and casual games – says Nikola Mitic, the director of the Playstudios Europe office. – The market for these games is huge, but also competitive, which is why there is a big risk, but also a big reward for success – both material and in terms of reputation. PC and console games are difficult to make, but after the publishing, the development is fully completed. For F2P mobile games, there are live operating teams, where the creators aim to keep the players playing the game as soon as possible, which is why it is necessary to constantly introduce new content.

Mitic adds that the trend of casual and F2P games has taken root in Serbia, not just among the fans, but also among the professionals, who see the creation of these games as an increasing challenge.

– Due to the format itself, mobile games require a different approach to creativity than games for PCs and consoles, and game designers, animators, programmers and other experts try to provide an entertaining experience to fans. Since this is a huge market, and the games are available, the members of the team in charge of marketing put in a lot of effort in order for their game to reach the users out of a multitude of other games.

With an average five-year stay in one company, the percentage of the fluctuation of workers in the gaming industry is 7%, which is about a half of the world average (15%). The executive manager of SGA, Kristina Jankovic-Obucina, says that, in addition to the growth of the number of employees, another interesting tendency is the decentralization of the local gaming industry.

– It is expected for Belgrade, as a big industrial center, to be the hub of the gaming industry, but we are very glad that some other cities, such as Nis and Novi Sad, have strong companies – Obucina says. – To our industry, geography is not a barrier, 60% teams work from home, because studios mostly offer a flexible or hybrid work model – which means that it is important how a team member works, and not where they work from. Also, as our research shows, each second company this year plans to increase the number of workers, so experts throughout Serbia will have job opportunities without being prevented from it by the infrastructure and the logistics. That is why we are very glad that the expected number of around 330 jobs pertains to the whole Serbia, and not just for the three said gaming centers.

Obucina is also announcing the first S2G Gaming Job Fair for June 22 in Dorcol Platz, which will make the job market even more transparent.

– We are planning educational programs and talks with students, who will get an opportunity to ask and learn about all that interests them regarding the gaming industry. Also, we will help beginners prepare for job interviews. This also opens the question of opportunities for expert practices, and the positive thing is that 54% companies, which are also SGA members, provide paid professional development. Since young people often stay and work in those companies, the gaming industry certainly needs to be seen as one of the fastest growing pillars of employment and economy in Serbia.

Asocijacija Industrije Video Igara Srbije Beograd

Playstudios International Europe doo Beograd

Playstudios Europe

Serbian Games Association

SGA

Nikola Mitić

Kristina Janković Obućina

S2G Gaming Job Fair

gaming industry

video games industry