Poland is flying the flag for Europe when it comes to the representation of industrial dominance surrounding the video gaming market. This is a nation that is teeming with development companies at an alarming rate.
Looking at data released from the PKO BP Bank, Poland has taken the crown for Europe’s largest exporter of games and fourth place in the whole world.
This put them behind the likes of China, Japan, and Hong Kong
Currently, the study carried out by the Polish Bank values the export of goods at €1.24 billion. This accounts for roughly 6.5% of all global sales. The main markets for selling being Sweden, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
If you didn’t know the reach of Poland’s power on the gaming industry, then this is just the beginning. Their collective force across a hugely impressive software market has helped to develop some of the most groundbreaking games of all time.
Welcome to Polish Gaming
This success of the industry in Poland was no freak accident. As you can read in this full and thorough report by the EGDF (European Games Developer Federation) on how vital the industry is in Poland, this was all methodically planned and perfectly executed.
Yet, there is no let-up following the success. Now, it may seem unfeasible for Poland to even try to match the output of China, but unless you are willing to try, you will never know where the limits of success go.
Leading the battle charge of software gaming in Poland, you have companies like CD Projekt, 11-Bit Studios, Techland, Ten Square Games, Huuuge, People Can Fly, and Play Way.
Behind the bracket of leaders, you have those challenges. The likes of Ultimate Games, Creepy Jar, One More Level, Picadilla, Flying Wild Hog, Reality, and Carbon Studios.
And then behind these guys, you have the rising starts and following the rising starts, you have the start-up companies. So, how many in total? 66 – so far. Oh, and 12 software companies working in the eSports sector that fuels the online casino betting market.
In a Global Take-Over by One Country
To get an insider perspective on the industry and business, we spoke to the Editor-in-Chief of kasynopolskaonline.com to get their view on why the Polish contribute so much to the gaming industry that covers video and online gaming.
“The success is bred from a passion of the game in a very literal sense. In Poland, our work ethic is very strong. Gaming development, though hard, is still very much an enjoyable and creative process for all involved. The contribution to the market, not just in numbers in production, but the quality in the titles that have been released, shows the real flare of what can be achieved and has been achieved in such a short space of time.”
Top 5 Polish Games
We now take a look at the top 5 games to have been created in Poland, which have gone on to be classics and must-play-games that should be held within any gamer’s menu of games.
1. The Witcher: Monster Slayer
The new Witcher: Monster Slayer is the latest augmented reality game produced this year and is taking what Pokémon Go did by this time you are slaying Monsters as the Witcher.
The game uses the geolocation program to create the gaming elements within Witcher’s universe and project them into your actual surroundings. So, when you walk somewhere, your phone will notify you if you are close to a monster. Using your device, you will see the monster on your screen, and you will fight this in first-person perspective.
The game also allows you to interact with other characters that participate in the narrative.
2. Cyberpunk 2077
Loosely based on the RPG that was released way back in 1988, this updated colossal by CD Projekt when so much further than any other game. The original focused on the years 2013 and 2020, but as these are behind us now, 2077 seemed more appropriate to set this game of the future in. This game comes with an optional lore book with 200 pages to help you through the world of Cyberpunk 2077 and you may very well need it. Despite its teething problems on release, there is absolutely no question that this was the most highly anticipated game of the year, and not just because it starred Hollywood actor Keanu Reeves as the lead of the game.
3. The Invincible
Based on the book released in 1964 by Stanislaw Lem, this sci-fi game presents a story that sees a rescue mission take place on another planet. The stranded party are without communications and the rescuers soon learn that the planet is inhabited by robot-like insects.
Developed by Starward Industries, The Invincible story is intoxicating as you try to unravel the mystery as you play the lead astronaut that tries to find the crew that has seemingly vanished? Was this mission doomed from the start or is there life worth saving other than your own?
This is a fantastic game littered with great concepts and retro-futuristic design.
4. Gamedec
This Sci-Fi game is developed by Anshar Studios and is set inside of a futuristic cyberpunk world. This game was inspired by a five-part book series that was released back in 2004 and up to 2015.
The premise of the story is about people that live their lives living in a world within a game. In this story of Gamedec, you play a detective that lives in Warsaw City that is entirely explorable, plus, you have access to alternative virtual worlds that are modeled on pre-history, or even the Wild West.
Gamedec was made in collaboration with another Polish company Przybyłek.
5. The Medium
Set in the mid-90s, The Medium is a story of Marianne, a special woman that has the ability to communicate with the paranormal world around us. She is haunted by visions of a girl that was murdered and as a Medium, sets out to solve the girl’s death and travels out to places that are consumed by dark and deadly powers.
As the game’s character, you will be able to use Marianne’s paranormal skills to influence the spiritual world around her. By fighting off evil ghosts and overcoming obstacles, you will step-by-step come closer to revealing the truth behind the girl’s death.
The game’s split-screen will also allow you to see the real world and the spiritual world simultaneously.