The Top 30 Iberia Game Makers of 2026
The Iberian Peninsula has firmly established itself as a significant gaming hub in Europe, with a notable rise in the game development landscape over the past decade. Spain, in particular, has emerged as a strong center for both game publishing and development, housing many of the world’s leading gaming companies. Meanwhile, Portugal, while still developing its gaming industry, is gaining momentum thanks to initiatives from its trade body, APVP, and the establishment of IGDA Portugal, which aims to bolster support for local developers through networking and career development opportunities.
Spain's gaming sector boasts several high-profile acquisitions, including Socialpoint by Take-Two, Digital Legends by Activision Blizzard, and Omnidrone and GenJoy by Scopely. Additionally, international companies such as King, Rovio, Bandai Namco, IO Interactive, Larian Studios, and Ubisoft have set up operations in Spain, further solidifying the country's status as a global gaming powerhouse. Despite this influx of talent, there is a continued effort to cultivate homegrown intellectual property capable of achieving worldwide success. Socialpoint has produced popular titles like Dragon City and Monster Legends, while publishers like Portugal’s Cosmicode and Spain’s Axes In Motion Racing and Bluetile have collectively garnered tens of millions of downloads.
In 2025, ed tech firm Lingokids raised approximately $120 million, establishing its headquarters in Madrid and highlighting the region's growing appeal for tech investment. This report aims to provide insights into the top players in Iberia, supported by data and expert interviews, as the region's gaming industry continues to evolve.
Among the standout developers is MercurySteam, a Spanish studio known for its work on major franchises like Castlevania and Metroid. Their latest title, Metroid Dread, released in 2021, became the best-selling entry in the franchise, exceeding 3 million copies sold globally. The studio's recent dark fantasy adventure, Blades of Fire, published by 505 Games, has received favorable reviews.
Another notable company is Broken Bird Games, an independent studio from Gran Canaria that made waves with its psychological horror game Luto, launched in 2025. The game has received accolades from major media outlets, indicating a strong potential for the region's indie scene.
Keplerians, based in the Basque Country, specializes in horror games and has achieved remarkable success with titles like Ice Scream, which has surpassed 100 million installs. Their games focus on exploration while evading antagonists, and the launch of the Keplerians Network in 2025 aims to enhance player engagement across their titles.
In Portugal, Infinity Games has emerged as a leading mobile developer, ranking third in downloads in 2025. Their puzzle game Infinity Loop has amassed over 50 million installs, and they are focusing on idle tycoon games which show promising revenue potential.
Codigames, a Spanish developer known for idle and tycoon games, continues to thrive with a catalog of over 35 titles. Their recent releases include Idle Town Master and Fix & Rent: Home Renovation, while their long-standing hit Idle Theme Park Tycoon has surpassed 100 million downloads.
Tripledot Studios has rapidly ascended in the mobile gaming landscape, particularly after acquiring AppLovin’s games business for $800 million in 2025. This acquisition significantly expanded their portfolio and workforce, with operations in Barcelona growing steadily since their 2021 launch.
Why it matters
The future of Iberia's gaming industry appears bright as it strives to harness its talent pool and transform into a global force for both established and emerging IP.
Original source
PocketGamer.biz
