Exploring the role of Polish programmers in the global games industry

Poland is a major player in the global games industry. From small studios and communities of enthusiastic developers, to well-established companies like GGBet Poland. In turn, the games scene in Poland is diverse and dynamic. At the same time, it contributes to the country's economy and the global gaming landscape.

But has it always been this way? Let's take a look at where the beginnings of this thriving industry came from, who the leading game publishing companies are and which games are selling best. Let's see how promising the future of the Polish games industry is. Going back to the 1970s and then to the present, we will see the significant evolution of the games industry in Poland.

The 1970s and 1980s: The era of the pioneers

In the 1970s and 1980s, the games industry in Poland faced many challenges, such as:

• lack of infrastructure,
• limited resources,
• legislative constraints.

However, despite these challenges, there were early technological advancements, such as the Odra 1300 and Commodore 64 computers. Some universities and technical schools also began to offer computer science and programming courses during this time, which laid the foundation for future game developers.

1990s: Technological progress and development

The 1990s saw an increase in technological advances and reforms in the law. This led to better conditions for the development of the games industry. Polish gaming companies began distributing foreign games, as well as creating their own.

At the time, computer games were the dominant platform. In addition, the 1990s saw the establishment of renowned Polish game development studios such as CD Projekt, founded in 1994, and People Can Fly, originally known as Epic Games Poland, renamed in 2002.

The 2000s: global recognition

In the first decade of the 21st century and beyond, Polish game developers have gained international recognition for their work. CD Projekt Red, in particular, achieved worldwide success with its Witcher series. Polish game developers diversified their portfolios during this period, exploring different genres and platforms, and took advantage of technological advances, including VR virtual reality and AR augmented reality. Investment in Polish games has also increased, leading to the expansion of existing studios and the creation of new ones, making Poland one of the leading European countries in terms of game development.

Top game developers in Poland

Many Polish game development studios are creating innovative and well-liked games. Let's discover some of the best.

CD Projekt RED

CD Projekt Red is a leading development studio based in Poland, specialising in creating story-driven RPGs. The company was founded in 1994 by Marcin Iwinski and Michał Kicinski and gained popularity with the successful 'The Witcher' series, based on Andrzej Sapkowski's fantasy novels. The series is famous for its deep characters and the wonderful story of Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter for hire, in a dark and immersive fantasy world. The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunger is their big hit and is considered one of the best-selling video games ever.

In addition to The Witcher, CD Projekt Red is also known for Cyberpunk 2077. The game was released at the end of 2020, but had technical problems, prompting criticism from gamers and industry observers. Despite the challenges faced, CD Projekt Red is a respected name in the games industry, having won numerous awards over the years, including multiple 'Game of the Year' awards for The Witcher 3.

Techland

Techland is the second largest game development company in Poland, with a valuation of around $2 billion. Founded in 1991 by Paweł Marchewka and based in Wrocław, it is famous for creating popular and successful video game franchises, often with horror or action adventure elements.

With more than 30 years of experience, they have many fans and enjoy an international reputation for their technical expertise, engaging narrative and game design. Their most popular games are the 'Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood' series, 'Dead Island' and 'Dying Light'.

Last year, Techland earned around $205 million from Dying Light 2. In 2016, Chinese tech giant Tencent acquired a majority stake in Techland, creating an important partnership in the gaming world, but despite this, Techland has maintained its independence and continues to operate as a separate studio.

11-bits studios

Another leading gaming company in Poland is 11 bit studios. It was founded on 11 September 2010 in Warsaw by the creators of CD Projekt. They are known for their unique approach to narrative-based games, encompassing strategy, survival and the RPG genre.

The 11-bit studio's most popular games are Warzone Earth, This War of Mine and Frostpunk. These games tackle serious themes such as surviving war and the decline of society, resonating emotionally with players. Their games have been recognised by The Guardian, The New York Times and TIME Magazine. Many of the awards they have won have been for innovative storytelling and impactful themes. 11 bit studios is distinguished by its commitment to creating so-called 'games that matter', as their slogan suggests, which has earned them a loyal fan base and critical acclaim.