#Czech Republic #Brno #Mafia #Gamebaze

Brno: A Global Hub for Gaming Excellence

Brno, the renowned capital of game development in the Czech Republic, is gaining worldwide attention once again. Following the successful launch of Mafia: The Old Country, published by 2K and developed by Hangar 13, the city has become a focal point within the gaming community. This new installment in the beloved Mafia series has already sold around 800,000 copies within just four days of its release, receiving positive accolades across platforms like Metacritic and Steam. Such achievements have further cemented Brno's standing as a powerhouse of AAA game titles, supported by innovative local agencies like JIC.

In addition to Mafia, another impressive title, Gray Zone Warfare, emerged from local gaming studio Madfinger Games. Launched in April 2024, this tactical FPS achieved remarkable success, selling 500,000 copies in its opening days and ultimately surpassing a million units sold. This transition to PC from mobile showcases the studio's versatility and the region's supportive game development environment.

Moreover, Brno has also made significant contributions to the highly acclaimed Kingdom Come Deliverance II. The local group Fineway Studios played a crucial role in dubbing and localization, setting records for the most extensive Czech voiceover undertaken. In a bid to strengthen ongoing projects and future expansions, Warhorse Studios recently established a new office in Brno, tapping into the area's talent pool for enhanced development processes.

Nurturing New Talent

Brno is not only home to established developers but is also witnessing a renaissance of fresh talent. Local high school students created a viral sensation with their project, Mourning Tide, a horror-fishing adventure, which gained traction after being featured by YouTube influencer Markiplier, boasting over 37 million subscribers. The game's demo on Steam quickly garnered international interest.

Another remarkable project, Dreadline Express, conceived by indie developer David Konečný, clinched the award for 'Best Game' at the 2025 Indie Awards during the prestigious Game Access Conference, which is Central Europe's premier gaming industry gathering. Both these innovative projects received significant backing from Gamebaze, the first dedicated game incubator in the country, also driven by JIC.

A Powerhouse of Game Development

With more than 40 gaming studios and over 900 developers, Brno ranks as one of Europe's most concentrated regions for game development. Local titles on Steam typically receive an impressive average rating of 84%, underlining the quality and engagement they provide to players. The city is not just about PC games; mobile gaming also thrives here, with studios like Terahype, Tinysoft, Noxgames, and Alda Games contributing millions in revenue.

The backbone of these successes lies in a solid support structure, featuring exemplary educational facilities, the vibrant GameDev Area community, the Gamebaze incubator, and the regional Game Cluster. This collaborative ecosystem is not only fostering growth within the local gaming landscape but is also attracting attention from across Europe. Notably, this model is currently under review for the GAME-ER research project, which studies successful game development practices across the continent.

In conclusion, Brno continues to carve out its reputation as a leading center for global game development, producing celebrated titles like Mafia while simultaneously nurturing the next generation of game creators. Its combination of experienced developers and energetic newcomers promises an exciting future for the gaming industry both locally and globally.