By San José, Costa Rica — Costa Rican video game developers made a significant impact at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2025 in San Francisco, showcasing the country’s growing prowess in the global gaming industry. A delegation led by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promoter (PROCOMER) and comprising five national studios, including Fair Play Labs, Sunna Entertainment, Headless Chicken Games, Man vs Skeleton, and Vital Music, presented their original content and specialized services from March 17th to 21st.
At the dedicated COSTA RICA booth, the delegation aimed to attract key players within the gaming ecosystem. GDC 2025 hosted over 30,000 professionals and 400 exhibitors, including industry giants like Electronic Arts, Nintendo, Microsoft, and Riot Games. Costa Rican developers seized the opportunity to network and forge potential partnerships.
To gain a deeper understanding of the legal landscape surrounding the video game industry in Costa Rica, TicosLand.com spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an attorney at law from Bufete de Costa Rica.
Costa Rica’s video game industry is experiencing steady growth, yet remains relatively nascent from a legal perspective. While there isn’t specific legislation tailored solely to video games, existing intellectual property laws, particularly copyright and trademark, offer important protections for developers. Key considerations include registering game titles, characters, and source code. Furthermore, understanding data privacy regulations, especially with online games, is crucial for compliance. As the industry evolves, tailored legislation addressing issues like loot boxes, in-game currencies, and esports could emerge. This presents both opportunities and challenges for businesses navigating this exciting sector.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Arroyo Vargas’ insights offer a crucial understanding of the current legal landscape for Costa Rican game developers. The intersection of existing legal frameworks and the unique challenges of the digital world necessitates careful consideration, particularly as the industry grows and innovates. His emphasis on proactive measures like registration and data privacy compliance is invaluable advice for those venturing into this burgeoning market. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his valuable perspective on this dynamic and exciting sector.
Among the showcased games were Life & Strife (Fair Play Labs), a cyberpunk dystopian RPG and life simulator; Apocrypha (Sunna Entertainment), an action title with strategic exploration; NeoSprint (Headless Chicken Games), an Atari racing game; and Echoes of Descent (Man vs Skeleton), a decision-driven RPG. These diverse titles demonstrate the breadth and depth of talent within Costa Rica’s burgeoning game development sector.
The growth of the video game sector in Costa Rica is a reality that translates into a sophisticated and competitive offering. GDC 2025 represents a decisive opportunity to establish strategic alliances and strengthen the country’s presence in the global market.
Mario Sáenz, Export Development Manager of PROCOMER
The presence at GDC marks a strategic step in propelling the local industry into international markets. Costa Rican studios have already contributed to projects for major platforms like PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, and PC, demonstrating their capacity for both original content creation and outsourcing services.
For our studio, this is a key opportunity to expand our business connections and demonstrate the potential of Costa Rican talent. GDC allows us to present our original intellectual property and strengthen our reach in the sector.
Carlos Fernández, Co-founder of Man vs Skeleton
Throughout the event, the Costa Rican delegation participated in pre-arranged business meetings with buyers, investors, and publishers, fostering potential collaborations. The developers also benefited from access to conferences, roundtable discussions, and networking forums with industry experts, further enriching their commercial and growth strategies.
This participation at GDC 2025 solidifies Costa Rica’s growing influence within the global video game industry, showcasing its competitive edge in a dynamic and demanding sector. With a focus on quality, innovation, and technical expertise, the Costa Rican game development scene is poised for continued growth and international recognition.
For further information, visit procomer.com
About PROCOMER:
The Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promoter (PROCOMER) is a key institution dedicated to promoting Costa Rican exports and attracting foreign investment. PROCOMER plays a vital role in connecting Costa Rican businesses with international markets, providing support and resources to foster economic growth and development.
For further information, visit manvsskeleton.com
About Man vs Skeleton:
Man vs Skeleton is a Costa Rican video game development studio known for creating innovative and engaging RPG experiences. Their focus on compelling narratives and challenging gameplay has earned them recognition within the industry.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
At Bufete de Costa Rica, legal excellence and unwavering ethical conduct form the bedrock of their practice. Dedicated to empowering Costa Rican society through knowledge, the firm champions accessible legal information while providing innovative and insightful counsel to clients across a spectrum of industries. Their commitment to both individual clients and the broader community reflects a deep-seated belief in the transformative power of a just and informed society.
