Economia criativa e indústria de games no centro-oeste brasileiro: processos de expansão, fomento, desafios e perspectivas

Abstract

In this research, we analyze the Games Industry from the perspective of the Creative Economy (CE) in the Brazilian Midwest, based on the main challenges, tensions and obstacles faced by this economic segment at the national and regional levels and on the current context of development policies. Specifically, we analyze the characteristics of the CE in Brazil and in the Midwest region and how the Games Industry is inserted - in this region - in the economic activities; we characterize how the intrinsic elements of this industry (the use of the protagonist platforms, profile of the consumer market, profit and distribution of the studios) are reproduced nowadays in the Midwest Region and in Brazil and, last but not least, we reflect about the participation of the State and the private sector in the set of this industrial activity in the Brazilian region delimited. The methodology was done through a bibliographic and documental review of the theme, collection, tabulation and systematization of indicators (arranged in tables, graphs and charts), interviews and participation in an event about games. We found that the aforementioned industry, both nationally and regionally, has an expressive consumer market that expands year after year, but still lacks a more significant production, either in the amount produced or in the type of production. We also verified that the CE is an economic ramification linked to technological innovation, but mainly to the symbolic production, thus, it is possible to obtain economic, social and mainly cultural gains through this economic manifestation, which highlights, above all, topics ignored in the mainstream economy. In addition, we identified that the developers of electronic games are mostly located in the Southeast of Brazil, the same occurs in relation to creative enterprises, making us believe that the region better served by capital is more attractive, a result of the history of use and occupation of the national territory, that is, the territorial division of labor. In turn, the Midwest is a region aligned to agribusiness, which does not prevent a horizontalization of the regional economy in the coming years, favoring the production of games. As for the main obstacles linked to the Games Industry, we found that excessive taxation, the hiring regime and the lack of qualification of professionals in the area are the most expressive, however, it is important to ponder on the neoliberal and ideological discourse that condemns the State and its intervention. We conceive that the State is the agent capable of deliberately and institutionally proposing actions and guidelines so that both the CE and the electronic games can expand and consolidate in Brazil and in the Midwest Region.