The Chamber of Commerce of Lanzarote and La Graciosa held the conference The video game sector as a business model in Lanzarote this Thursday, a meeting that brought together professionals from the sector, local businessmen and institutional representatives to discuss the economic impact of the audiovisual industry and its growth potential on the island.
The event, framed within the Digital Coworking project of Lanzarote, included the presentation of Sergio Prieto, Lead Game Designer at Quantum Box Games, based in Gran Canaria, who made history by signing an agreement valued at two million euros with the renowned Japanese studio Route24.
He analyzed the business development opportunities offered by the video game sector, addressing its sustained growth, monetization models and the keys to positioning the islands as a competitive environment for digital creation. The tax benefits and local resources that can favor investment and professionalization in this area were also presented.
The first dialogue table discussed the situation of video games in the archipelago and the professional opportunities it offers, with the participation of those responsible for reference projects and events in the sector.
During the meeting, key issues such as the growth of the video game industry in the Canary Islands, the promotion of local talent, the professionalization of the sector and the role of competitions and events in the generation of employment and economic revitalization were addressed.
Representatives of initiatives such as Tenerife Lan Party, TenerifeGG, the Canarian Esports League Hiperdino, the Canarian Association of Video Game Developers, the Esports Competition Master League, Esports Challengers and the NexAtlantic platform participated.
Subsequently, there was a presentation by Sergio Prieto, from the Canarian studio Quantum Box Games, based in Gran Canaria, who made history by signing an agreement valued at two million euros with the renowned Japanese studio Route24. In his speech, Prieto shared his experience in the development of video games from the Canary Islands and analyzed the potential of local talent to compete on the international stage.
The day culminated with a dialogue table dedicated to the challenges and opportunities of the video game sector in the Canary Islands, in which key entities that currently promote the digital and creative ecosystem in the archipelago participated.
Among the speakers were Sabita Jagtani, senior technician of the Canary Special Zone (ZEC), and Silvia Camacho, coordinator of European programs at Proexca, who provided a close vision of the opportunities that the video game industry can generate in the islands, especially in non-capital territories.
Both presented Canary Island Games, the project of the Government of the Canary Islands aimed at strengthening the video game industry in the islands. This initiative offers strategic information, resources and advice on tax incentives, investment attraction and support to independent studios.
In this space, the barriers faced by companies in the sector were also discussed, as well as the opportunities to connect Canarian talent with global production, distribution and financing networks.
A sector with great growth potential
The Minister of Economic Promotion, Nori Machín, stated that "the Cabildo of Lanzarote is committed to economic diversification, and the video game sector represents a real opportunity for the creation of qualified employment, the attraction of young talent and the internationalization of our digital economy. We are pleased to see how Digital Coworking becomes an active platform to promote entrepreneurship in sectors with as much potential as video games and eSports."
Carmen Martinón, vice president of the Chamber of Commerce of Lanzarote and La Graciosa, pointed out the importance of valuing emerging sectors such as video games, a field that generates more and more income. She stressed that "the digital and creative environment opens new possibilities for our economy, working in this area means entering the world of entrepreneurship, innovation and international expansion."
The event was organized by the Chamber of Commerce of Lanzarote and La Graciosa, and financed by the Cabildo of Lanzarote within the framework of the Digital Coworking project of Lanzarote.
The Digital Coworking of Lanzarote is a project co-financed by 85% by the ERDF Pluriregional Operational Program 2014-2020 and the Cabildo of Lanzarote.