The Polish government is fostering the gaming industry as a core sector of national competitiveness. Its vision goes beyond a simple export industry, leveraging games as a vehicle to promote Poland's culture and technological prowess to the world.
On October 20, a presentation introducing the current state and support policies of the Polish gaming industry was held for Korean and Japanese gaming media representatives visiting Poland at the invitation of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The presentation featured representatives from the Warsaw Economic Development Department and Polish gaming industry expert Damian Jaśkowski.
Warsaw Has Grown into Europe's Largest Game Development Hub
First, the Warsaw Economic Development Department presented the scale and growth status of the gaming industry in the Polish capital of Warsaw.
According to a gaming industry report published by the City of Warsaw in 2026, Warsaw is currently home to over 300 game developers and publishers, with approximately 6,343 people working in related industries. Based on the number of industry personnel, Warsaw is explained to be Europe's largest game development city, outpacing London and Stockholm.
Warsaw is home to globally renowned studios, including CD Projekt Red of 'The Witcher' series and 'Cyberpunk 2077', as well as 11 bit studios of 'This War of Mine' and 'Frostpunk'.
In particular, when the City of Warsaw published the report, as many as 18 games and series developed by local studios had surpassed 1 million copies sold globally. 'The Blood of Dawnwalker' by Rebel Wolves, released this year, was also presented as a new success story after selling over 1 million copies shortly after launch.
Building on these achievements, municipal authorities are expanding support for the gaming industry. The city supports the Student Games Festival for student developers and promotes Polish games by participating in domestic and international events such as the Games Industry Conference (GIC) and PAX West. In particular, the city explained that it is focusing on increasing exchanges with global gaming industry figures and creating opportunities for foreign investment and collaboration.
"If Korea Has K-Pop, Poland Has Games"
Polish gaming industry expert Damian Jaśkowski, who spoke next, introduced gaming as Poland's representative soft power.
He cited CD Projekt Red as one of the most globally well-known corporate brands in Poland. He explained that games have grown beyond simple entertainment into crucial cultural content that shapes a nation's image.
In particular, he emphasized: "Japan has anime and manga, and Korea has K-pop and K-dramas. Poland has games."
According to the presentation, approximately 14,000 people work in the Polish gaming industry, with a significant portion of game studios' revenue coming from overseas markets. Jaśkowski highlighted an export-driven industry structure, presenting data showing that about 97% of revenue for Polish game developers originates abroad.
He explained that expanding into global markets is essential, as Poland's domestic market alone is insufficient to support the growth of game developers.
Major overseas markets mentioned included the US and China, as well as Japan, Germany, the UK, France, and Korea. In particular, Korea and Japan were described as key markets where revenue performance depends heavily on localization quality and securing local partners.
Jaśkowski added that some Polish games generate similar revenue levels in Korea and Japan, noting that language support and collaboration with local partners are crucial for entering Asian markets.
Poland Recognizes Gaming as Culture and Art
The Polish government's support for the gaming industry extends beyond simple corporate assistance or export expansion. Jaśkowski stressed that Poland views games as a realm of culture and art, alongside film and literature.
A prime example is 11 bit studios' 'This War of Mine'. Depicting civilian survival in wartime, the title was adopted as educational material in Polish high schools for classroom use. The initiative aims to educate students on the horrors of war and ethical dilemmas through gaming.
In addition, Polish games are featured in museum exhibitions and cultural displays around the world. Titles such as 'This War of Mine' are highlighted as examples demonstrating the artistic value and social role of video games.
The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and cultural institutions actively support these efforts. They promote Polish games through international gaming exhibitions, developer exchanges, game music concerts, and the publication of industry reports.
Jaśkowski explained that developers' goals of boosting sales and brand recognition align with expanding the nation's cultural influence. Even if the government and private developers have different primary objectives, they can cooperate through the shared domain of gaming.
The History of Polish Gaming to Be Featured at G-STAR 2026
Meanwhile, plans directly relevant to Korean gamers were also unveiled at the event.
Poland plans to host the 'Digital Dreamers' exhibition at G-STAR 2026 in Busan this November, introducing the history of its domestic gaming industry.
Digital Dreamers is a project outlining approximately 40 years of development in the Polish gaming industry, ranging from early Polish games in the 1980s to recent global hit titles.
The exhibition features video interviews with game developers, historical archives, and interactive hands-on game spaces. It operates in a flexible format, adjusting content based on venue space and scale. Jaśkowski added, "We hope to introduce the history of Polish gaming to even more Korean gamers through the exhibition at G-STAR in Korea."
Alongside this, the Polish gaming industry is pursuing collaborations to deepen its understanding of the Korean market. A prime example is the creation of developer guides detailing the characteristics of the Korean gaming market and entry strategies.
The Polish government's perspective on the gaming industry is clear: games are both an industry generating economic results and a medium for showcasing the nation's culture and creative potential to the world.
Having established its name among global gamers through 'The Witcher' and 'Cyberpunk 2077', Poland is now seeking to expand its influence with even more developers and titles.
