Welcome to Estonian GameDev!
Industry Overview, 2024
Intro to the industry
The video game development industry significantly contributes to the global economy, generating billions in revenue annually and creating many job opportunities. Its impact stretches beyond game sales, hardware sales, ingame purchases, esports, streaming, and various other industries. As gaming continues to evolve, its influence on pop culture, tech innovation, and even education grows, making it one of the fastest-rising sectors worldwide. GameDev also drives advancements in AI, VR, and immersive storytelling, fuelling a vast array of new job markets and creative possibilities.
Estonia’s game development industry is a growing force in the global gaming scene, blending creativity, innovation, and a tech-forward mindset. With roots in the country’s thriving startup ecosystem, Estonian game developers are crafting unique gaming experiences that resonate with players worldwide. Despite being relatively small, the industry punches well above its weight, thanks to a collaborative culture, cutting-edge digital infrastructure, and strong community-driven support.
Estonia has already gained global recognition for its thriving IT startup scene, and it proudly holds the title of the world’s highest number of unicorn IT startups per capita. Companies like Skype, Wise, and Bolt have transformed Estonia into a tech leader, showcasing how small ideas can scale to worldwide success. The Estonian game development industry is following this blueprint, with the ambition to replicate this success.
Main Industry Stats
Oldest Studios
At least 16 studios are on the market for more than 10 years. Most of them are tiny indie studios. The oldest one is micro indie studio Viko Puit (31 years) and outsorcing studio Ringtail Studios (18 years).
Viko Puit (Perfoon)
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Ringtail Studios
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Acode
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Hypester
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Playflame
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Successful Studios
At least 8 studios have revenue over 1 million in 2023. The most successful studio in Estonia is CM Games (19 million in 2023) with Ready Player Me having the biggest growth (1,5 to 2,5 million). Out of 74 studios only 37 had revenue more than 100k in 2023.
CM Games
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Zaum Studio
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million
Plummy Games
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million
Ringtail Studios
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million
Ready Player Me
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million
Biggest Studios
In 2023 we had 4 studios with more than 40 employees in Estonia. In 2024 this changed drastically, many positions were switched to contract work. The biggest studios in 2024 are CM games, Simple Magic and Ready Player Me.
CM Games
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people
CM Games
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Ready Player Me
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CM Games
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Simple Magic
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Estonia’s game development industry is small but growing steadily. With 80 active companies (including outsourcing studios) and about 500 professionals, it’s a tiny player in the global market but has seen some solid achievements. The sector brought in €46.1 million in revenue in 2023, showing resilience despite tough times for the gaming world overall.
Most of the industry is centered in Tallinn, where a strong tech culture and startup mindset help smaller studios thrive. Salaries in the industry average around €1,984 per month, which is competitive locally but modest compared to bigger markets. Education also plays a role, with schools like Tallinn University, Mainor and Tartu University offering game-related courses, though there’s room for more specialized programs.
Big successes like ZA/UM’s Disco Elysium and CM Games – Into the Radius have put Estonia on the map, but these are rare cases. The industry is mostly made up of small teams working on indie projects, service contracts, or exploring user-generated content like Roblox.
Challenges include a lack of experienced talent and limited resources for junior developers to gain experience. Many small studios can’t afford to hire or train new staff, which makes scaling up difficult. While the industry benefits from support like GameDev Estonia and government grants, it’s still far behind regional heavyweights like Finland and Sweden. There’s potential, but growth will take time and steady effort.
Confirmed Full Time Employees
This chart represents only full-time employees working on the Studios registered in Estonia.
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Average salary of Full Time Employees
This chart represents only full-time employees working on the Studios registered in Estonia.
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Comparing GameDev Salaries to rest of Estonia
All economically active enterprises, institutions and organisations with at least one employee are taken into account.
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Employees (full time/2023)
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Estonia’s game development industry currently employs approximately 300 full-time professionals, complemented by nearly 250 freelancers and contractors. This dynamic workforce covers a range of roles, including game design, programming, art, animation, sound design, and project management.
While the smaller full-time workforce helps keep studios agile, freelancers and contractors enable scalability and allow studios to tackle diverse and ambitious projects. However, this structure also presents challenges, such as securing consistent opportunities for freelancers and ensuring stability for studios operating on tight budgets.
There is a 0 employee phenomenon, which is partly driven by Estonia’s vibrant startup and IT culture, where many specialists develop video games as a hobby while maintaining careers in other sectors. It’s not uncommon for IT professionals, programmers, and designers working in successful startups to launch game projects on the side, without committing to full-time game development.
Another factor is Estonia’s e-residency program, which enables individuals from around the world to establish businesses in Estonia without being physically present. This has led to the creation of many game development companies that exist primarily for freelancing, contracting, or publishing, often with no employees physically based in Estonia.
Platforms
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Years on Market
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EMTAK (registry code)
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The surge in revenue from 2020 to 2022 aligns with global trends during the COVID-19 pandemic, when gaming became a dominant entertainment choice. Studios likely benefited from increased consumer spending, interest in gaming, and new audiences turning to digital entertainment.
2020 – 41,137,318€
2021 – 54,894,326€
2022 – 65,777,052€
2023 – 46,594,608€
2024 – 52,058,702€ Q3
Geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, and inflation contributed to a reduced appetite for gaming-related expenditures. Estonia, as a smaller market reliant on exports and international partnerships, have felt this impact disproportionately.
2020-2024 Yearly Industry Revenue
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2020-2024 Quarterly Industry Revenue
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Data is showing that in 2024 Q3 estonian gamedev industry revenue is already exceeded the whole 2023. After the global dip in 2023, partly due to geopolitical tensions and economic downturns, the gaming industry experienced a slight rebound. Estonian studios, resilient due to their smaller scale and agile operations, benefited disproportionately. The sector saw multiple successful game launches, expansions, and international collaborations. The rise in UGC development and a focus on niche markets like PC and VR gaming helped several studios to survive through 2024. Ongoing support from entities like Enterprise Estonia and Technopol provided critical funding and promotional opportunities.
While Estonia’s game development industry has experienced remarkable growth in 2024, several challenges highlight areas of concern. Outsourcing studios, once a significant part of the ecosystem, are facing a downturn as global companies shift towards in-house production or cheaper alternatives elsewhere. Many smaller studios remain confined to niche markets, unable to scale or diversify, making the industry heavily reliant on a few successful IPs. Infrastructure, though improving through initiatives like the GameDev Estonia HUB, still lags behind larger gaming hubs like Finland and Sweden, limiting resources and mentorship opportunities.
Stats Comparison: 2023 vs 2024Q3
Active Companies
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Latest Game Releases
- All
- Action
- Adventure
- Casual
- Early Access
- Free to Play
- Indie
- RPG
- Simulation
- Strategy
Biggest Games from Estonia
Disco Elysium (ZA/UM) / 3.7m units sold
- Steam User Rating: Overwhelmingly Positive (97% positive reviews)
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch / October 15, 2019
- Overview: A groundbreaking narrative RPG acclaimed for its deep storytelling and innovative mechanics.
Into the Radius VR (CM Games) / 310k units sold
- Steam User Rating: Very Positive (89% positive reviews)
- Platforms: PC (VR) / July 20, 2020
- Overview: A VR survival shooter known for its atmospheric and immersive gameplay.
Haiku, the Robot (Mister Morris Games) / 78,780 units sold
- Steam User Rating: Very Positive (91% positive reviews)
- Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch / April 28, 2022
- Overview: A charming metroidvania game with retro visuals and engaging gameplay.
Nitro Nation: World Tour (CM Games, with Mythical Games)
- Steam User Rating: Not available
- Platforms: Mobile / 2023
- Overview: A popular mobile drag-racing game delivering engaging and competitive gameplay.
Dark Chess (Tall Troll Games)
- Steam User Rating: Not available
- Platforms: PC / 2023
- Overview: A creative reimagining of chess with dark, immersive mechanics.
Bootstrap Island (Maru VR Productions) / 15,480 units sold
- Steam User Rating: Not available
- Platforms: PC (VR) / Early Access 2024
- Overview: An upcoming VR survival game inspired by Robinson Crusoe, generating excitement for its engaging mechanics.
Buckshot Roulette (Critical Reflex) / 2.1m units sold
- Steam User Rating: Overwhelmingly Positive (94% positive reviews)
- Platforms: PC / 2023
- Overview: A fast-paced, multiplayer shooter that combines chaotic rounds with creative mechanics, gaining attention in the indie scene.
Rusty’s Retirement (Mister Morris Games) / 351k units sold
- Steam User Rating: Overwhelmingly Positive (96% positive reviews)
- Platforms: PC / 2023
- Overview: A relaxing idle-farming simulator that sits at the bottom of your screen while you do other things.
Industry size comparison
Estonia
€
46
million
Latvia
€
25
million
Lithuania
€
225
million
Finland
€
3200
million
Sweden
€
3060
million
When comparing the size of Estonia’s game development industry to its neighboring countries, there are a few key points to consider:
Finland: Finland is home to one of Europe’s most successful game development industries, with household names like Rovio (Angry Birds) and Supercell (Clash of Clans, Clash Royale). The Finnish gaming industry is worth billions of euros annually and supports thousands of jobs. Finland has a wellestablished ecosystem with over 200 game studios, a significant esports presence, and strong global export power. Finland’s gaming industry is a powerhouse that dwarfs Estonia’s in terms of size and revenue, but the two countries share a focus on technical innovation and startup culture.
Latvia: Latvia’s game development scene is also relatively small but growing. There are an estimated 30-40 studios, similar in size to Estonia, though Latvia lacks some of the same tech infrastructure and startup culture that propels Estonia forward. The Latvian gaming industry is heavily indie-focused, with a few titles breaking into international markets, but it remains in the early stages of growth.
Lithuania: Lithuania has a slightly larger game development scene than Estonia, with around 50-60 studios. The Lithuanian government has actively supported the game industry through various initiatives, including grants and tax incentives. The country has seen some success on the international stage, with indie and mid-sized studios producing games for global audiences. Lithuania’s gaming industry is still developing but shows potential for scaling and innovation.
Sweden: Sweden is a game development giant both regionally and globally. Home to major game studios like Mojang (Minecraft), Paradox Interactive (Crusader Kings, Stellaris), DICE (Battlefield series), and King (Candy Crush Saga), Sweden’s gaming industry generates billions in revenue annually. With over 400 game studios, Sweden has an ecosystem fostering indie developers and large-scale AAA productions. Swedish studios have made a massive global impact, and the country is considered one of the top gaming hubs in the world. The industry is highly supported by both private and public investments, contributing to thousands of jobs. Sweden’s success far exceeds that of Estonia and Finland regarding global reach and revenue.
Estonia is positioned as an up-and-comer in this competitive space. While its industry is far smaller than giants like Sweden and Finland, Estonia’s wellestablished startup culture, digital infrastructure, and innovative talent offer a strong foundation for future growth.
GameDev Estonia
- In 2024, we became members of the European Games Developer Federation (EGDF).
- We are acknowledged by Enterprise Estonia and the Ministry of Culture.
- We have signed cooperation agreement with Latvian and Lithuanian developers associations.
- We managed to organise with Enterprise Estonia trade missions to GDC, PAX, DevGamm and Gamescom.
- We provide reliable information and statistics used by many international organisations.
- We organise constant flow of GameJams in different cities across the country. (Tallinn, Pärnu, Jõhvi, average of 60 participants)
- For the last two years we organise monthly GameDev meet-ups. (more than 20 organised, 1000+ people attended)
- 46 studios are members of association, all of the other studios participate in our activities.
GameDev Estonia is funded by
Our Members
Promoting the Industry
+ EEVR Association, which brings together developers and companies. Several members are actively producing video games and contributing to the broader gaming ecosystem in Estonia. EEVR (Estonian Virtual and Augmented Reality Association) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to advance and coordinate the development of Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality in Estonia. EEVR combines VR and AR professionals in companies, research centres, public organisations and also VR enthusiasts and freelancers. The role of the EEVR is to increase the overall awareness of the developments and achievements in the field of VR and AR, enhance cooperation among local and international organizations and provide relevant information about the state of VR and AR in education.
Main contact: info@eevr.ee
+ EdTech Estonia, which supports several educational game startups that focus on using gamification and interactive content to enhance learning experiences. These startups are developing innovative educational tools and games to make learning more engaging and compelling, targeting children and adults.
Main contact: Liis Siiroja / liis@edtechestonia.ee
+ Tartu Science Park offers incubation programs that help game development startups grow by providing mentoring, business advice, and strategic guidance. These programs cover everything from early-stage development to scaling, helping game dev studios build sustainable businesses.
Main contact: Henri Hanson /henri.hanson@teaduspark.ee
+ Music Estonia works with organisations like GameDev Estonia to host events, workshops, and panels, bridging the gap between music and game development. These events help composers understand the specific needs of game soundtracks and allow developers to find talent within the local music scene.
Main contact: info@musicestonia.eu
+ Level1 plays a key role in Estonia’s gaming ecosystem by bridging the gap between the gaming community and the broader public. They’re not only a hub for gamers but also an important partner for developers and cultural organizations looking to integrate gaming into the arts and media landscape.
Main contact: levelup@level1.ee
GameDev Education
Even though Estonia has a relatively small game development market, a wide selection of official educational entities provides different curricula related to game development careers. However, only a few specialised paths are available for dedicated game development education.
+ Estonian Entrepreneurship University of Applied Sciences offers a Game Design and Development bachelor’s program. This curriculum covers the essential aspects of designing and developing video games, preparing students for various roles in the industry, including design, programming, and production.
The Game Design and Development program is a comprehensive course that aims to equip students with the essential skills to develop both mobile and PC games, as well as start their own game companies. The video game industry is the fastest-growing entertainment industry in the world, with a market volume exceeding €222 billion, surpassing that of film and music combined. Due to the rapid advancements in technology and the constant release of new games, the gaming industry offers a wide range of career opportunities in various disciplines. This program provides you with access to a broad range of opportunities and prepares you to pursue a successful career in this exciting field.
Main contact: Andrejs Rusinovskis / andrejs.rusinovskis@eek.ee
+ Tallinn University provides a master’s program in Digital Learning Games.This advanced curriculum offers game design, game studies, asset creation, game development, and project management courses. It aims to bridge the gap between learning technologies and entertainment, thus enhancing both educational and game development skills.
At its core, DLG is a game design programme. It offers courses on game design, game studies, asset creation, game development, and project management. What makes us different from other programmes is that we focus on learning games and so-called serious games: games that can be used in education and training, raise awareness about social issues, improve players’ physical and mental health, and so on. To that end, the programme also covers psychological and pedagogical aspects related to games. While game design forms the core of the programme, DLG students can choose between two specialisation tracks: game development (coding) and educational psychology. Whether you would like to work in education, pursue a research career, or join the game industry, you will find courses in the programme that can support you along the way.
Main contact: Kristi Oikimus / kristi.oikimus@tlu.ee
+ University of Tartu: While it doesn’t offer a specific game development degree, the University of Tartu features a computer graphics and virtual reality laboratory that provides various relevant courses, including Computer Game Development and Design, Game Engines, and advanced graphics programming. These courses offer a strong foundation in the technical aspects of game development.
For high-school students, CGVR provide several annual online courses and offer field trips to the lab. To the students of the University of Tartu and its partner universities CGVR have a number of video game, virtual reality, and computer graphics development higher education courses. To both beginners and advanced students, CGVR organize three annual game jams. The lab rooms and hardware is for students to have a place and hardware for studying their field. They supervise students in their graduation theses and they collaborate with companies to help connect their graduates with their aspired career paths.
Main contact: Raimond Tunnel, PhD / raimond.tunnel@ut.ee
+ Estonian Academy of Arts offers courses related to game development and new media. Their programs emphasise interdisciplinary approaches, combining art, design, and technology. EKA allows students to explore interactive media, virtual environments, and digital storytelling, which are crucial skills for modern game development. The academy’s focus on creativity and experimentation helps support a new generation of game developers and digital media artists in Estonia.
+ In addition to these academic programs, TalTech (Tallinn University of Technology) organises events related to the video game industry, such as the TalTech Gamecamp, the most significant game development hackathon in Estonia. These events provide valuable hands-on experience and networking opportunities for aspiring game developers.
GameDev Incubators
+ GameDev Estonia HUB
GameDev Estonia runs a game-specific incubator program to support emerging developers in the country. The incubator provides mentorship, workshops, networking opportunities, and even help with funding or finding publishers. It’s tailored specifically to the needs of game developers, making it a prime choice for local talent.
Main contact: info@gamedevestonia.ee
+ Tehnopol Startup Incubator
Tehnopol is one of Estonia’s most prominent incubators. While not exclusive to game development, it offers fantastic resources for tech startups, including game studios. Tehnopol has experience helping game developers by providing access to business mentors, investment opportunities, and even office spaces in its tech city near Tallinn.
+ Tartu Science Park
Tartu Science Park offers incubation programs for various tech and creative industries, including gaming. They support startups with business development, mentoring, and connections to the larger tech ecosystem. Tartu has been a growing hub for game development, and this incubator is wellsuited for new studios looking for support outside Tallinn.
+ Creative Industries Incubator (Tallinn)
This Tallinn-based incubator is dedicated to supporting creative entrepreneurs, including game developers. The Creative Industries Incubator provides office spaces, mentorship, and business development services for startups. Game devs who mix gaming with design, media, or arts will find this incubator a great place to grow their business, collaborate with other creatives, and access the city’s creative sector.
+ Game Camps
Game Camps is a cross-border initiative for game developers in Estonia, Latvia, Finland, and Sweden. It’s not a permanent incubator but a series of workshops and mentorship programs focusing on turning game ideas into commercially viable products. Game Camps provide international networking opportunities and valuable insights from experienced mentors in the NordicBaltic region.
GameDev Funding
Estonia offers a variety of funding opportunities for game development, including local and international sources. Below are the key funding opportunities available for the game development industry in Estonia:
+ European Union Projects: Estonian game developers have experience with various EU funding projects, such as Creative Europe, which provides grants for developing original video games and supports transnational collaborations.
One example – Video games and immersive content development fund for European game developers (or creators of immersive XR/AR/VR content) studios that have recently developed a previous game or immersive experience that has been commercially distributed. The aim is to provide funds to video game production companies and other companies producing immersive content to develop works with a high level of originality and innovative and creative value, and that have a high level of commercial ambition and extensive cross-border potential to reach European and international markets. This will allow for further investment in innovative European content and increase the competitiveness of European companies in the global digital market.
Another example – Media 360 fund for game developers, publishers, trade associations, research organisations, game industry event organisers, Investors. The action will support a package of activities facilitating the creation, promotion and distribution of European content, and/or the uptake of new technologies or business models by the audiovisual sector.
+ Enterprise Estonia offers several funding programs to support innovation and international growth. This includes grants for product development, export support, and startup support for new game studios. Enterprise Estonia also provides mentorship programs to help startups become investment-ready.
+ The Cultural Endowment of Estonia is a valuable resource for creatives, including game developers. They offer funding for projects that contribute to Estonian culture, and this can include video games that promote cultural storytelling or artistic elements.
+ The Estonian Film Institute has recently extended its support to interactive digital storytelling, which includes video games. This funding is aimed at projects that blend cinematic storytelling with interactive experiences.
+ Private Investment Funds: There is growing interest from private investors and venture capital firms in the game development sector. Estonian game studios can access funding from local venture capital firms like Superangel and Tera Ventures, which have previously invested in technology and creative industries.
+ Gamedev Fund is an early-stage investment fund aiming to help talented teams in shipping their games by providing knowledge, contacts, and funds. We invest in premium indie games for PC/consoles with a playable demo on hand. gamedevfund.vc
+ Startup Estonia is an organisation dedicated to growing the startup ecosystem in the country, including game development. They provide access to various funding opportunities, such as startup grants, tax incentives, and matchmaking events with investors.
+ Nordic Game Program: Estonian game developers can apply for grants from the Nordic Game Program, which funds innovative game projects in the Nordic and Baltic regions. This funding aims to strengthen collaboration between neighboring countries and support creative content development.