José Antonio Nieto, Andalusia’s regional minister for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Development and Public Administration, visited the second edition of San Diego Comic-Con Málaga. He said the international event could showcase talent from Andalusia and create opportunities for the region’s digital industry. Nieto described video games as an “absolutely priority” sector under the Andalusian Strategy for the Creation of Audiovisual and Digital Content.
Andalusia has moved from fifth place nationally in 2019 to become Spain’s third-largest video game hub, behind Madrid and Catalonia, Nieto said. In 2024, the region had 107 active studios—13.1% of the Spanish total—up from 82 in 2019, a 30.8% increase over five years. Andalusia also has 17 specialist video game training centres.
The region’s studios generated about €86 million in revenue in 2023, and the sector employed more than 1,000 people. Nieto said there was still room to increase Andalusia’s share of national industry revenue. He presented events such as Comic-Con as an opportunity for studios to reach new markets and connect with investors and other industry participants.
A total of 17 startups and studios linked to Misión Andalucía are participating in this year’s event; 11 have their own 50-square-metre exhibition space. Together, they will deliver 32 sessions, amounting to 128 hours of direct exhibition time. Nieto said the regional government was doubling its support for Andalusian creators compared with the previous year. Its aims include attracting private investment, commercial agreements and co-productions, and supporting skilled employment and the growth and survival of studios.
Nieto also announced that the regional government would soon renew its agreement with Jaén City Council to provide the former Bank of Spain building for the Misión Gaming Centre. The centre, created through an investment of nearly €1.8 million, houses 35 companies: 32 in incubation and three in an accelerated-growth programme. Their work includes artificial intelligence, virtual reality, automation, illustration, content production and digital tourism solutions.
Nieto said Andalusia’s 2027 budget would include nearly €4 million to continue supporting the Misión Centres, including the video game centre in Jaén. He said the regional government wanted creators trained in Andalusia to find projects and opportunities there, and international companies to consider the region a competitive place to develop video games, animation, virtual and augmented reality, and digital content.