Sweden, known for its innovation and creativity, has become a hub for game development in Europe. From established giants to rising stars, the Swedish game development scene is vibrant and diverse. Whether you are a gaming enthusiast or a business looking to collaborate with top-notch developers, this list of the top game development companies in Sweden is your go-to guide.
How many game studios are there in Sweden?
According to the available data, there are varying numbers of game studios in Sweden:
Studio Hog reports that there are 31 game studios in Sweden, with an estimated number of people working within these studios ranging between 2,893 and 7,714.
GameCompanies.com states that there are 305 game companies located in Sweden, with a total of 614 developed and 511 published games. In Stockholm alone, there are 113 game companies.
The Swedish game industry employs a total of 9,178 people, with 5,925 employed nationally.
Statista reports that in 2022, 939 game developers were registered in Sweden, representing a 20 percent growth from the previous year.
Top Game Development Companies in Sweden
HitBerry Games
Founded: 2020 Specialization: full-cycle game development, outsourcing; mid-core games, branded games, promo games, marketing games, casual/hyper-/hybrid-casual games, mini-games, and VR/AR solutions.
HitBerry Games, a dynamic worldwide player in the game development scene, contributes to the rich tapestry of creativity and innovation that defines Swedish game development.
This mobile game development studio boasts a dream team of professionals, each bringing extensive expertise in game development, game design, art, animation, and trend analysis.
At the heart of HitBerry Games are three core principles: a relentless commitment to quality, a strong sense of responsibility, and an unwavering dedication to customer satisfaction.
Forbytes
Location: Malmo, Sweden Founded: 2011 Specialization: Custom E-commerce Development, Real Estate, Fintech, Gaming
Forbytes, a Swedish-based custom e-commerce development company, has evolved over the last decade to serve clients across Europe and the US. Karl Wirstrm, Technical Project Manager at Health and Sports Nutrition Group AB, emphasizes Forbytes as an extension of their own team.
The company's expertise extends beyond e-commerce, covering diverse sectors such as real estate, fintech, and gaming.
Digital Dividend
Location: Stockholm, Sweden Founded: 2007 Services: Web Development, Mobile App Development, Team Outsourcing
Digital Dividend stands out as a full-service design and development agency with a global presence. Their commitment to bringing client ideas to life has earned them praise, with the clients expressing confidence in their consistent delivery. With a diverse portfolio spanning the USA, UK, Australia, and Pakistan, Digital Dividend offers web development, mobile app development, and team outsourcing services.
Triplex Digital
Location: Stockholm, Sweden Founded: 2020 Specialization: Software Solutions, Web Designs, Digital Experiences
Triplex Digital positions itself as the IT laboratory of the future, serving as a dynamic technology and design agency. Their focus on cutting-edge software solutions, captivating web designs, and strategic digital experiences positions them as a digital innovation partner.
Swekki
Location: Nynashamn, Sweden Founded: 2012 Services: Mobile App Development, E-commerce
Swekki, a digital agency based in Stockholm, positions itself as the ideal partner for businesses looking to expand online. Their state-of-the-art technology aims to maximize yield, monetization, and campaign effectiveness.
LocalizeDirect
Location: Helsingborg, Sweden Founded: 2009 Services: Game Localization, Software Solutions
LocalizeDirect has carved a niche for itself in the game development industry by offering game translation and localization QA services in over 61 language pairs. In 2020, they launched Gridly, the world's first headless CMS created specifically for game development. As pioneers in their field, LocalizeDirect continues to provide essential services to game developers and gaming companies worldwide.
Avalanche Studios Group
Location: Malmo, Sweden Founded: 2003 Notable Works: Just Cause Franchise, Mad Max
Avalanche Studios Group, the original creator of the award-winning Just Cause franchise, has a rich history in the gaming industry. Known for their groundbreaking work, including Just Cause 3 and Mad Max, published by Square Enix and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment respectively, the studio stands as a powerhouse in the gaming world.
Toadman Interactive
Location: Stockholm, Sweden Founded: 2013 Expertise: Game Development
Toadman Interactive, founded in 2013, boasts a team of highly skilled developers with extensive experience in the gaming industry. With several released games under their belt and several unannounced projects in the works, the studio positions itself as a game development powerhouse in Stockholm.
Coffee Stain Studios
Location: Ornskoldsvik, Sweden Founded: 2010 Philosophy: Independent, Unconventional
Coffee Stain Studios, born out of passion and crazy ideas, started its journey with the creation of Sanctum. As an independent studio, Coffee Stain Studios is committed to having fun while creating and publishing great products. Their unconventional approach sets them apart in the gaming industry.
Frictional Games
Location: Helsingborg, Sweden Founded: 2006 Notable Works: Penumbra, Amnesia, SOMA
Frictional Games has left an indelible mark on the horror gaming genre. With unique combinations of horror, physics, and adventure, they redefined the genre with games like Penumbra and Amnesia. Their exploration of deep, unsettling themes in SOMA solidified their position as pioneers in horror game development.
OVERKILL Software
Location: Stockholm, Sweden Founded: 2009 Notable Work: PAYDAY Series
OVERKILL Software, a privately held game development company, was founded in 2009 by industry veterans with a passion for pushing creative boundaries. Known for their commitment to going all the way for fun, OVERKILL Software has amassed a creative team dedicated to delivering unique gaming experiences.
Eldring Games
Location: Stockholm, Sweden Founded: 2012 Noteworthy: 35 Million Installs Worldwide
Eldring Games, translating to "Ring of Fire" in Swedish, has made a significant impact in the gaming world with sniper games installed over 35 million times globally. Founded in 2012, the company continues to thrive as an independent game developer in Stockholm.
Valiant Game Studio
Location: Stockholm, Sweden Founded: 2017 Focus: Thought-Provoking, Relaxing, Meaningful Games
Valiant Game Studio positions itself as a thought-provoking game developer in Stockholm. Their offerings include Pendula Swing, an episodic adventure game set in a fantasy version of the American Roaring 1920s. Additionally, they provide BRINDIE, a transparent and fixed-priced branding service for indies.
Aftnareld Studio
Location: Linköping, Sweden About: A team of two on a journey filled with great desire, high ambitions, much patience, and strong teamwork.
Aftnareld Studio, a small but ambitious team, is on a journey to create great, cooperative games for gaming couples and friend constellations. Their vision includes making Friday co-op evenings a worldwide norm, emphasizing a desire for memorable gaming experiences.
Adit Studios
Location: Trotzgatan 29, 791 72 Falun, Sweden About: Dedicated to excellence in design and realization.
Adit Studios, dedicated to excellence in design and realization, obsesses over innovative mechanics and visuals. Beyond developing their titles, they offer their expertise to clients like Fabrik Games and Sony Computer Entertainment, showcasing their versatility in concept development and technical solutions.
Bridgeside Interactive
Location: Vårvägen 4, 181 33 Lidingö, Sweden About: Building unique and inclusive games with a focus on new game mechanics.
Bridgeside Interactive, a small independent game studio founded in 2014, aims to build unique and inclusive games. Their diverse team with interests ranging from rock climbing to music forms the creative foundation for their projects. Their first title, a rhythm game for various demographics, reflects their commitment to innovative game mechanics.
Angry Demon Studio
Location: Skövde, Sweden About: A horror indie game studio with a focus on high-quality and adrenaline-filled experiences.
Angry Demon Studio, a horror indie game studio in Sweden, emerged from a student group that created the survival horror game Notes of Obsession. Their commitment to high-quality and adrenaline-filled experiences positions them as a rising star in the horror game development scene.
To sum up
In the dynamic landscape of Swedish game development, these companies and studios stand out for their creativity, innovation, and commitment to delivering exceptional gaming experiences. Whether you are a gamer seeking thrilling adventures or a business looking for a reliable development partner, Sweden's game development scene has something to offer for everyone.
Are you ready to turn your gaming vision into reality? HitBerry Games is here to collaborate, innovate, and elevate your ideas to new heights. Whether you're an established gaming company or an ambitious startup, we invite you to join forces with us and experience the magic of HitBerry Games.
Contact us today to start a conversation about your next gaming project. Let's bring your ideas to life!