The creation of video games relies on a precise local fabric: specialized schools, active studios, funding mechanisms, and a cost of living compatible with the early years of activity. Choosing a city to enter this sector means weighing these parameters according to one’s profile, whether aiming for a salaried position in a studio or independent development.
Subcontracting and co-development: a often overlooked selection criterion
Most guides on the subject list the major metropolitan areas where major publishers are located. This approach overlooks an entire segment of the market: subcontracting and co-development, which represent a growing share of the activity of small European studios.
When large publishers cut their internal budgets, they increasingly outsource production to specialized partners. Secondary cities, which are cheaper and have solid training programs, then become viable bases for small teams capable of securing outsourced production contracts.
Before aiming for Paris or Montreal, it is worth evaluating whether a city offers direct access to this type of orders, particularly through the proximity of prime studios or the presence of an active professional network. Those considering studying video game design in Toulouse benefit, for example, from a regional pool where several independent studios regularly collaborate with national publishers.
French cities for video game creation: Paris, Lyon, Montpellier
In France, the video game sector is not limited to the capital. Three hubs stand out due to the density of their ecosystem.
Paris and its suburbs
Paris concentrates the largest number of studios and schools in the country. Institutions like Gobelins, Lisaa, or the Gaming Campus train students in game design, graphic design, and development. Proximity to publisher headquarters facilitates internships and first jobs.
The downside: a high cost of living, especially for a junior profile or an independent developer at the start of a project. Rent takes up a significant portion of the budget, which can hinder creative risk-taking.
Lyon and Montpellier
Lyon has established itself as a solid hub thanks to the presence of recognized training programs and mid-sized studios. Montpellier, on the other hand, has long hosted major players in the sector and benefits from a community network that facilitates meetings between developers.
These two cities offer a more favorable cost of living / professional density ratio than Paris. For an independent creator, the difference in rent over two or three years can represent the equivalent of several additional months of development.
Emerging European ecosystems: Portugal, Poland, Romania
The choice of a city does not stop at the French borders. Several European ecosystems deserve careful analysis, with very different dynamics.
Portugal beyond Lisbon
The eGames Lab program, launched in 2022, relies on a consortium of 22 organizations and develops hubs in cities like Terceira, Évora, and Funchal. This logic of a decentralized regional network makes secondary Portuguese cities accessible to independent studios, with lower setup costs than in Western European capitals.
Portuguese growth also relies on co-development: small specialized structures capture contracts outsourced by large international studios. For a developer starting out, settling in a city covered by this network can facilitate access to stable initial income.
Poland: a job market in transition
Poland remains a significant player in the European video game industry, but its attractiveness has seen a recent shift. The 2025 sector report relayed by the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development notes studio closures, staff reductions, and more difficult access to funding since the end of several public programs in December 2023.
Warsaw remains a major job market, but caution is advised for those considering moving there without a prior contract. The current climate makes the market more competitive, especially for junior profiles.
Romania: an increasing production volume
Romania has seen a notable increase in the volume of games published. This dynamism is accompanied by some of the lowest living costs in Europe, attracting independent creators and small studios in the prototyping phase.
Concrete criteria for choosing your game design city
Beyond the names of cities, the choice relies on a few measurable parameters. Here are the most decisive:
- Presence of specialized training in game design, development, or audiovisual, with programs accessible after high school or for career changers. The quality of the alumni network is as important as the program.
- Density of active studios within an accessible radius, whether they are large publishers, mid-sized studios, or independent collectives. A nearby studio means a potential internship, informal mentorship, or a first contract.
- Local or national funding mechanisms: regional creation grants, tax credits (like the Video Games Tax Relief in the UK), European subsidies. The ideal city provides access to at least one of these levers.
- Cost of living relative to the average salary in the sector or the expected income of an independent. An excessively high rent shortens the runway for developing a personal project.
No city ticks all the boxes simultaneously. The choice depends on the stage of the project: initial training, first salaried job, or launching an independent studio. Each stage calls for a different environment.
The European video game market is restructuring around decentralized hubs and subcontracting logics. Medium-sized cities, in France as well as in Portugal or Romania, are gaining relevance against major capitals. Choosing your base according to access to contracts and the real cost of a project over two years remains the most reliable framework for a creator starting out.
