Poland is famous for many things. First, we have the beloved pope John Paul II, born Karol Józef Wojtyła in Wadowice. Then, there is Polish cuisine. Who can resist the tempting pierogi? Covered in a light coat of sizzling hot bacon, or sour cream – whichever you prefer, they are the ultimate comfort food. Also, let’s not forget about the vivid gaming scene.
The latter has recently become a much more recognizable element to Polish branding, than the former two. The 7th largest gaming producer in Europe, and 23rd worldwide, Poland manage to become a hotspot for all things gaming. What led to this status, and is it here to stay, we asked the digital expert Anna Rosak (read her bio here).
“This is not a patriot in me speaking, but Poland managed to catch the gaming wagon quite early. No wonder it is milking the cow as much as it can. After all, first come – first served”, says Anna, “In Poland, you will find companies that make slots online, or as we call them in Polish “automaty do gry na pieniądze online” as well as complex RPG titles that captivate the imagination of players from all corners of the globe.”
Education is Fundamental
As one of the most contributing factors in the development of gaming in Poland, Anna sees the entire educational system, as well as parenting approaches that are still somewhat old-fashioned compared to those in the US or the UK.
“Throughout the decades, Polish parents have learned that degrees in maths, IT and science open all doors. In the past, such a degree was a passport to the West, but even after the fall of communism, things haven’t changed”, says Anna and continues, “We Polish are practical people, and many say we act as if we have no time for nonsense. Perhaps we don’t”, implying that a middle-class Polish student, will rarely choose arts over maths, or study social studies, instead of programming.
What Anna is saying is easily proven. According to OECD analysis and PISA testing, students in Poland scored higher than the OECD average in reading, mathematics and science.
The passion for new technologies, computer sciences and maths is also nourished in the state’s school systems, where students can take on more than 60 college degree courses related to gaming in one way or another.
Conservative, Yet Inclusive State
Another aspect that makes the Polish gaming scene so grand is the fact it is far more inclusive than most other countries. Once again, Rosak recognizes it as a leftover from the past:
“Think what you want about communism, but one thing cannot be denied – men and women both had to join the workforce, which put them al pari to each other. This phenomenon transgressed to the 21st century when both men and women equally participate in the university departments that are in other countries perceived as male-dominant.”
She mentions that 47% of all Polish gamers are females. On a global level, the representation of women in gaming is far lower and doesn’t hit the 30% mark. But where is the connection between playing games and developing games, we asked.
“If you are enjoying games as a teen, it is very likely you’ll want to build your career around it. By encouraging girls to enjoy games as much as boys, Poland managed to create a brand-new immense force in universities and colleges – young women who know games to the bone, and know how to improve them”, explains Rosak.
State-Motivated Gaming Businesses
It could be said gaming is somewhat of national pride in Poland. With so many gamers, developers, and companies that hit the market each month, it is easy to wonder when the glass will overflow. Rosak doesn’t think that will happen anytime soon, as games produced in Poland are enjoyed across the globe. Plus, the state authorities do everything they can to motivate people to hop on this sizzling hot trend.
“Naturally, not every game released can be The Witcher. However, even smaller companies can get a pretty neat boost, but only if they keep an eye on all sorts of benefits they get from the state”, reveals Rosak.
As the most prominent pro-gaming-industry measures, she mentions workshops and courses organized for the unemployed that often focus on improving their computer skills. There is also financial aid for young and thriving companies, as well as individuals with disabilities. The hands-on approach proved to be of great success, as the financial injection and guidance at the very beginning of running businesses resulted in the lowest unemployment rates in Europe.
“Warsaw Stock Exchange has a Special Gaming Index. That’s how far we are willing to go to promote this particular industry”, says Anna and concludes, “Our publicly-traded gaming companies are worth over €12bn. Obviously, we are doing something right. Let’s just hope we don’t mess it up.”
This is a paid guest post.