The Swedish gaming industry continues to grow and set new records in turnover. This is shown in the Swedish Computer Games Industry’s Game Developer Index report. We are also seeing growth locally, with three new studios starting up in Boden in 2023.
2023 was a year of change in the Swedish game development industry. Several game studios announced that they were closing down and the media have reported on setbacks in the industry. Despite this, the Swedish games industry remains stable. The industry is growing in number of companies, turnover and employees.
In 2023, the revenue of the Swedish gaming industry grew to SEK 34.6 billion, a 6.4 percent increase among Sweden-registered companies. Including subsidiaries abroad, the total revenue of the Swedish gaming industry reached SEK 90.4 billion, a 4.5 percent increase overall.
Swedish gaming companies employed 9,089 people in Sweden and 15,792 people abroad during 2023. Globally, this represents a decrease due to divestments.
In Sweden, 644 new employees were hired in 2023, an increase of nearly eight percent in the total workforce of the industry.
Three new companies in Boden in 2023
In 2023, 108 new companies were established, bringing the total to 1,010 gaming companies in Sweden. Of these, 196 studios had five or more employees.
The report shows that three new companies were started in Boden in 2023.
– We know the industry isn’t showing the stellar numbers it did a few years ago, but it’s still encouraging to see new gaming companies being established in Boden. It shows that we’re doing the right things at Boden Game Camp, says Sofia Lundström, business developer at Boden Business Park.
Sofia Lundström is a business developer at Boden Business Park. Photo: Mats Engfors/Fotographic
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– It has taken us some time to get oriented in the gaming industry and understand how things fit together—from publishers and investors to launch strategies, funding solutions, and everything in between,” says Mikael Norberg, game developer, and continues
– That’s why we’re so grateful to have stumbled into this community by chance and for all the help we’ve received.
The number of women continues to rise
The report also highlights the growing number of women in the industry. In 2023, 2,150 positions in Swedish gaming companies were held by women, accounting for 23.7 percent of the workforce. This is an increase of 173 women compared to the previous year.
When the Swedish Games Industry began compiling the report in 2004, only 75 women worked in the gaming industry in Sweden. Now, the number has surpassed 2,000.
– It’s very positive that the proportion of women in the industry continues to grow. Diversity and inclusion lead to more creative and innovative games that appeal to a broader audience. Furthermore, gender equality contributes to a fairer work environment and enhances the industry’s attractiveness for future talent, which is great for the labor market in Boden, says Sofia Lundström, business developer at Boden Business Park.
Spelutvecklarindex maps, reports, and analyzes the operations of Swedish gaming companies and international industry trends over the past year by compiling companies’ annual reports.
Click here to read the report!
