D4.1 - Report on Primary Data Collection

This report presents findings from the Gaming Clusters Across Multiple European Regions (GAME-ER) project, specifically the findings relating to Task 4.1 “Primary data collection on clusters”. The GAME-ER project focuses on six case studies - Brno (Czechia), Dundee (Scotland, UK), Fundão (Portugal), Lyon and Bordeaux (France), and Turin (Italy) - each representing a unique regional context where the video game sector has developed outside the dominant capital-city ecosystems. The GAME-ER research adopts a social science approach, combining qualitative, quantitative, and historical methods to explore the dynamics of cluster formation and sustainability. A central component of the methodology is a qualitative interview investigation (Task 4.1), conducted using a common semi-structured interview script developed from a shared analytical framework, to be used across the six clusters. Interviews were carried out in two stages: (i) an initial exploratory phase with key informants and first interviewees to map the local ecosystem, identify further contacts and refine the analysis grid for conducting interviews, (ii) followed by a broader round of interviews with a diverse range of stakeholders including studio founders, developers, educators, policymakers, and more. These interviews explored themes such as the origins of the cluster, local strengths and weaknesses, leadership and governance, innovation capacity, talent development, and the motivations behind company location decisions. The interview data were analysed using thematic analysis, guided by a shared analysis grid. Later in the project, this will allow a cross-case comparison analysis in GAME-ER Work Package (WP) 3. This approach enabled the identification of recurring patterns such as the importance of educational institutions, the role of anchor companies, and the impact of local policy, as well as specific dynamics shaped by historical legacies, demographic trends, or economic restructuring. The structure of the report reflects the comparative nature of the project. Each of the six chapters is dedicated to one of the regional clusters, offering a detailed account of its development trajectory, institutional landscape, and current challenges and opportunities. These chapters draw on interview data and contextual analysis to provide a comprehensive picture of each cluster’s ecosystem. By focusing on regions often overlooked in digital innovation research, the GAME-ER project contributes to a better understanding of the driving forces behind the dynamism of a local video game industry and, as a result, a more inclusive understanding of where and how creative industries can succeed in Europe.