VGE Published Demands for the Coming EU Mandate

Twelve demands for the development of the games industry and the policies regarding it in the European Union: The European association Video Games Europe has formulated their thoughts for the coming mandate period of 2025-2029 in a manifesto.

European games association Video Games Europe (VGE) has published a manifesto of demands towards the video game policies of the European Union in the coming mandate of 2025-2029.

The twelve demands are as follows:

1. Protect the status of video games as a unique combination of technology and creative works. Do not make the EU a global outlier by trying to force video games into sectors where it does not belong.
2. Maintain an open and competitive market: any form of additional or EU levy, tax or fee on the distribution of video games would disincentivise investment, chill innovation, and distort the Single Market.
3. Adapt the Creative Europe programme and extend the General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER) to video games. Make them both fit for the video games sector and its unique needs.
4. Recognise the value of the PEGI system and of self- and co-regulation to address consumer and  business concerns in a fast and efficient manner, keeping in step with the ever-evolving digital landscape. Self- and coregulation are an important complement to existing regulations.
5. Adopt our proposals to ensure transparent and fair purchases of in-game content, delivering clarity and certainty for players, consumers and parents. Work with us on ambitious education programmes to accompany parents in their awareness and use of parental tools to manage video Gameplay.
6. Give companies a fair opportunity to assess how they should comply with the unprecedented amount of new regulations. Assess if those regulations are fit for purpose, and do not produce unintended consequences. EU policy makers should monitor and avoid any fragmentation of the EU Single Market.
7. Invest in education at the EU and Member State levels to tackle the digital skills gap. Build networks of excellence, promote life-long learning, encourage girls to join STEAM programmes, and upskill teachers.
8. Adopt strategies at the EU and Member State levels to attract and retain the best global and diverse talent.
9. Use Horizon programme funding for a project mapping the video game workforce, the availability of relevant education programmes, and the skills gaps that still exist, to help the sector’s success and growth.
10. Uphold a strong framework for enforcement of intellectual property law to support innovation.
11. Adapt NACE codes to give the EU the tools to have a full picture of the economic value of our intellectual property intensive industry.
12. Protect the EU acquis through careful coordination of ICT standardisation activities in international fora.

The manifesto goes on to elaborate on each demand and also includes a look back at the current mandate of 2019-2024 and its impact on video games in the EU. The full manifesto can be found on the website of VGE and is available in Spanish, Polish, Portuguese and French as well.