Brazil, as the largest country in Latin America in terms of population and area, has a population of over 220 million and an internet penetration rate of 86.6%, providing a solid foundation for the development of the gaming industry. According to Newzoo data, Brazil's gaming market revenue ranked tenth globally in 2022, and although it was later surpassed by Mexico, it still maintains robust growth, attracting many domestic and international developers.
The development of the Brazilian gaming industry has its unique characteristics. Before the 1990s, the local market mainly relied on independently developed and locally produced game consoles, until the import tax was abolished in 2009, foreign companies such as Sega successfully occupied the market through cooperation with the local company Tectoy. In recent years, with the surge in internet users, digital games have become the main form of entertainment for Brazilians, and by 2024, 82.1% of users will consider gaming as an important entertainment channel.
Smartphones are the most popular gaming platform in Brazil, with 78% of players using mobile phones, 42% using computers, and 39% using game consoles. Different income and age groups show different platform preferences, with young people preferring computers, while users aged 30-40 tend to favor game consoles and mobile phones. The ratio of male to female players is close, but females prefer mobile games, while males prefer computer and console games.
The number of local game development studios in Brazil has grown rapidly, reaching 1,042 in 2023, with related revenue exceeding 250 million US dollars in 2022, mainly from computer games. Esports is also developing rapidly, with Brazil ranking among the top five in global esports revenue, boasting many well-known esports players and events.
Cultural and linguistic differences are crucial for game localization. The Portuguese used in Brazil is different from European Portuguese, and special attention needs to be paid to vocabulary and expression differences. The mobile platform is dominated by Android, with the Google Play Store being a key distribution channel. Local festivals such as the Rio Carnival also provide unique opportunities for game design and marketing.
Overall, the Brazilian gaming market has both potential and challenges, making it suitable for developers who value cultural localization and precise market strategies to deeply cultivate and explore.
