Since the 1990s, the Croatian video game industry has experienced exponential growth, particularly in the past five years.
There are currently more than 180 game development studios officially registered in Croatia. Their scope is broad, including start-up companies, VR/AR studios, and game developers who possess a significant international portfolio.
In addition to game developers, there are also numerous organizations, institutions, and companies that contribute significantly to the Croatian video game industry.
Games Croatia Project Partners
Croatian Audiovisual Centre
The Games Croatia project is led by the Croatian Audiovisual Centre. The Centre is a Government-backed strategic agency for the audiovisual sector in Croatia. It aims to stimulate a successful and vibrant audiovisual industry, as well as to promote the widest possible enjoyment and understanding of audiovisual works throughout Croatia.
Since 2021, the Centre has been providing public funding for the development and production of video games. The video games sector is an integral part of Croatia’s cultural and creative industry.
Currently, there are over 180 officially registered game development studios in Croatia, offering a wide variety of sonic ideas and creative visions with each new project.
For more information visit www.havc.hr or access their online publications.
Croatian Game
Development Alliance
Croatian Game Development Alliance (CGDA) is a non governmental organisation which gathers Croatia’s game developers, publishers, media, event organisers, education institutions and all other businesses or organisations which are part of the Croatian game dev industry.
CGDA’s mission is to lead the discussion on the past, present and future of game development in Croatia. We want Croatia to strengthen its international reputation as a game development destination by creating an environment which enables both large and small studios to grow sustainably.
Networking
Getting the right people together is sometimes half the job. In CGDA you will have the chance to meet other industry peers who will gladly help you by sharing their experiences.
Learning
Learn from other members’ successes and failures, meet new industry peers and get help with a wide variety of game development questions.
Influencing
Let your voice be heard! CGDA regularly discusses policy developments with all relevant stakeholders to strengthen the position of the video game industry in Croatia.
Research
Industry research supports development of Croatian video game industry; it provides data for new policy proposals, lobbying efforts and general communication with wider audiences.
Reboot
Reboot is a video game media and events brand that's been at the forefront of gaming culture in Croatia for the past 11 years.
For more than a decade, everything Reboot has worked for has been about fostering a healthy culture and recognition of the video game industry in Croatia. Through one of the biggest consumer games shows in Europe, two international conferences and media activities that encompass a print magazine, website, YouTube channel, exclusive digital shows and social media, they are still extremely passionate about showcasing the wonder that are video games.
Reboot Develop Blue and Red
Reboot Develop Blue and Red are two games industry conferences taking place in Dubrovnik, Croatia and Banff, Canada that have redefined the worldwide games industry event landscape while conceptualizing the true meaning of the boutique games industry conference.
Reboot InfoGamer
After nine successful editions, Reboot InfoGamer has positioned itself as one of Europe's biggest consumer games shows. In 2024, after a few years of running smaller shows because of the pandemic, Reboot InfoGamer attracted more than 50,000 visitors in its triumphant return.
Reboot Media
Although Reboot is 11 years old, the team carries more than three decades of legacy in games journalism. Through news, reviews and previews, analysis and opinion pieces, Reboot is an important part of Croatia's games journalism past, present and future.
HU-IZ-VI
The goal of the Croatian Association of Video Game Developers (HU-IZ-VI) is to unite and strengthen video game developers, promote them in the Republic of Croatia, create video games that are gamified and tailored to market needs, aimed at and intended for all individuals, and provide services of general interest for the common good.
The activities through which the goals of the Croatian Association of Video Game Developers are achieved include publishing computer games, publishing other software, film production, video and television program production, sound recording activities and music publishing, computer programming, other IT-related services and computer-related activities, other research and experimental development in natural, technical, and technological sciences, research and experimental development in social and human sciences, specialized design activities, photographic activities, auxiliary educational services, creative, artistic, and entertainment activities, performing arts, auxiliary activities in performing arts, artistic creation, activities of amusement and theme parks, other entertainment and recreational activities (organizing events related to the gaming industry), volunteering, civil society development, local community development, social entrepreneurship, promotion of social entrepreneurship development, combating and protection against discrimination, gender equality, combating racial discrimination, protection of children's rights, protection of youth rights, protection of rights of persons with disabilities, religious rights and freedoms, protection of rights of national minorities, development and promotion of education, lifelong learning and adult education, support for the education of children and young people with special needs, education for the protection and promotion of human rights, social assistance and support, assistance and support to children, assistance and support to young people, assistance and support to persons at risk of poverty and social exclusion, assistance and support to the unemployed, humanitarian aid, assistance to victims of natural disasters, psychosocial assistance in crisis situations.
Croatian eSports Federation
CeSF (Croatian eSports Federation) is a federation of esports clubs and associations that bring together fans of electronic games and competitions.
The Association's goal is: gathering all Associations whose goals are to gather fans of electronic games, competitions and organizing competitions and tournaments, promotion of esports, raising awareness about the influence of video games on the population especially of younger age and whose seat and area of operation is on the territory of the Republic of Croatia.
The activities of the Association are:
organizing and taking part in electronic games fan tournaments;
organizing and taking part in electronic games fan competitions;
education about positive and negative influences of playing video games;
standardization of the framework for organizing electronic games fan competitions (esport);
consistent and permanent following of actual rules and regulations in regards of electronic games
PISMO - Gaming Incubator
The only Croatian Gaming Incubator – PISMO powered by A1
The Gaming Incubator PISMO is an entrepreneurial Incubator of Sisak-Moslavina County (PISMO) is specialized in the gaming industry and represents a unique place where a love for video games becomes a serious business. Located in Novska, covering an area of 2,000 square meters, the PISMO incubator offers its users the opportunity to conduct business with significantly reduced costs, creating a stimulating business environment in which entrepreneurs and craftsmen can achieve synergy, exchange experiences, and develop new business ideas. Currently, PISMO is home to more than 80 start-ups, which, besides space, also utilize a wide range of services and equipment available to them. The incubator was built with the support of the European Union, and the project is valued at around 3.2 million euros. It was opened in 2019 and was declared the best Croatian EU project the following year. The management of the incubator has been entrusted to the Sisak-Moslavina County Development Agency SIMORA.
In PISMO, learning and earning are combined through educational programs that enable the acquisition of skills in Blender and Unity within just six months, thereby generating a new skilled workforce for video game development. The trainings are conducted in cooperation with the Croatian Employment Service, which means that participants receive a salary while learning. To date, more than 300 individuals have been trained to work in the gaming industry. Due to the successfully established ecosystem, programmers find employment within existing companies in the incubator or start their own businesses with support of 15.000 euros. As gaming evolves, PISMO also adapts its education offerings, including training in Unreal Engine 5.
A photogrammetry studio, motion capture studio, virtual reality equipment, music studio, streaming equipment are just part of the offerings available at the PISMO incubator, accessible to all interested parties.
PISMO is not just a place for work, but also for socializing and learning. Therefore, it frequently organizes meet-ups, conferences, game jam competitions, and camps for children and young people. The incubator also welcomes visitors from different parts of the world and is eager to share its experience and knowledge with others!