A resolution supporting a long-term funding and support strategy for the video game and esports industries was approved by the European Parliament.
The resolution was approved by the legislative body of the European Union with 560 votes in favor, 34 votes against, and 16 abstentions.
The European Parliament resolution acknowledges the economic and cultural contributions that esports and the video game industry in general make to Europe. It supports the creation of an extensive European video game strategy that incorporates esports and expands on current national strategies.
Although the resolution itself has no legal force, the European Commission, the EU’s executive body, stated that it intends to act during the parliamentary session.
The resolution of the Parliament will now be decided upon and implemented by EU legislators, who will then formulate the EU’s future esports and gaming policy. Legislators often adhere to the recommendations made by Parliament, while they are free to choose how they are carried out.
The resolution’s successful approval is a significant victory for the European esports and gaming sectors, both in terms of reputation and revenue. Once a strategy is developed, businesses will probably have access to EU money and support.
Prior until now, the EU has only modestly supported domestic video game production. The Creative Europe and Horizon Europe programs offered some financing, but the resolution itself criticized these efforts as insufficient.
Because esports titles are owned by private companies with intellectual property rights, the resolution’s text reaffirmed the EU’s position that esports and sports are distinct industries.
However, it acknowledges the gaming and esports sectors’ commercial worth as well as their potential for development and innovation. The text extols the virtues of esports for education and wellbeing and requests that the Commission create a charter to promote European values in esports competitions. It also suggests that the creation of a Schengen-wide esports visa be taken into consideration.
