NORDISKA DATORSPEL - Nordic Game Program

Summary in English
This study has surveyed the Nordic computer games for children and youth available in the
Nordic countries, and types of interactive digital information material. A Nordic game, in this
context, is in a Nordic language, and satisfies two out of the criteria of being produced in Norden,
under Nordic control and based on Nordic intellectual property rights. This study is based on open
sources, databases and interviews.
Producers, publishers and distributors have been surveyed, and their selection criteria for
projects and products studied, enabling us to indicate the potential supply of Nordic computer
games.
Interactive digital information material has two main types. One is pedagogical, fact-based
learning material used in schools. The other is information material from public or other sources.
Both types may have game-like features, but the production and financing of such material is
separate from the computer games industry.
The selection criteria for projects developed by game companies from idea to demonstrable
material are not clear. The starting-point is either something that they wish to do, or something
they feel is lacking in the market. It is then dependent upon factors like experience, skills, available
technology, and opportunities for re-use of previous work. The final decision rests with what they
think the publishers are interested in, and what they are able to make the publishers buy. The
publishers base their selection on the market performance of games on the target platform and of
the genre, and future expectations for these. Then the track-record of the development company
and the characteristics of the product itself are considered.
Just over 200 companies produce computer games in the Nordic counties, and about half are
established enough for data to be available from credit rating companies. These have about 1,000
employees and a turnover of over 80 MEUR in the latest fiscal year. The Nordic computer gamesproducing
companies have wide and deep expertise, a good international reputation, and if
Norden as a whole is not a net exporter of computer games in terms of production, it is clear that
some Nordic countries are.
The Nordic market is estimated at between 250 and 400 MEUR, and is the sixth or seventh in
the world in size. Norden is the fourth market in the world in per capita consumption. In 2003
about 5,500 separate publications of computer games were made in the Nordic countries. Nordic
publishers were behind four percent of these, while 66 % were handled by Nordic distributors. Just
over five percent fill some of our prerequisites for being regarded as Nordic. Only one percent fully
met our definition, and just 0.7 % qualifies as original publications of Nordic games.
To achieve a richer, high-quality offering of Nordic computer games for children and youth,
there is a need for improved information, both market data and consumer information. A better
infrastructure is required, with improved distribution and better conditions for the producers to be
paid for their efforts. A supply of labour with the appropriate skills is necessary. Improved
financing, with a selection of different forms for support and investment capital is also needed.
The factors are interconnected, and it thus important that different actions are well balanced,
so stimulation is the result, not conservation. Nordic efforts in the computer games field should
primarily be directed at exchange and dissemination of information, stimulating alternative and
developed distribution, and support for simplifying and cost-reducing localisation into Nordic
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