The video game industry is holding its own and progressing in France, driven by two giants in 2025.

In a country where every expense is carefully considered, whether with a controller in hand or a touchscreen under your thumb, video games continue to thrive. The French market generated €5,8 billion in revenue in 2025, according to the annual report of the French Video Game Publishers Association (SELL), published Wednesday, March 25. This represents an increase of around 3% compared to 2024, a modest rise on paper but far from insignificant in an economic and geopolitical climate that the industry considers "complicated." SELL even sees this as its second-best performance ever, a sign that this form of entertainment has become, for many, a firmly established consumer expense.

Two stocks, one market that holds firm

At the top, two locomotives pull the train: "EA Sports FC" and "Battlefield 6." The former confirms the power of mainstream sports franchises, those that sell for a long time, driven by promotions and end-of-year purchases, like a classic that's pulled out without much thought. The latter illustrates the strong comeback of big-budget AAA shooters on consoles and PC, with sales concentrated on the launch and pre-orders—this well-oiled machine that sends sales figures soaring in the first few weeks. A very different duo, but the same logic: the brand, the event, the habit.

However, the sector doesn't rely solely on two major releases. The balance between consoles, mobile, and PC remains stable, notes SELL, with consoles still the primary driver at €2,5 billion, a total that includes hardware, accessories, subscriptions, games, and additional content. Publishers are increasingly focusing on digital distribution and subscriptions, and on the "lifespan" of online titles, a way to smooth out revenue when releases are concentrated around the back-to-school season and holidays. Ultimately, the French video game industry seems to be entering a phase of maturity: less euphoria, more consistency, and an industry learning to be sustainable.