The first 20 years of video game developing in Sweden included work mostly done by separate individuals. Developing costs increased and the industry structure became more complex over time. Mapping the business of Swedish game developing history has been relatively problematic, because individuals were spread all over the country while working with different platforms in PDP, C64, VIC-20, Amiga, and IBM PC compatibles. Home computers became the focus for the creativity among often self-educated youths who got access during the 1980s.
In 2018, the Swedish games industry generated €1.8 billion and it employed almost 8,000 people. For 2017, there were 4.2 million gamers in Sweden who spent $411.7 million.
1980-1989 The colour-graphical VIC-20 home computer was released in 1981. The home computer Commodore 64 was released 1983. The game Space Action (1983) was developed by Arne Fernlund and published by Handic Software.
After 20 years game development shifted towards project groups of game developers.
List of Swedish video game companies
NameDescriptionMost Famous ForGamesEmbracer GroupEmbracer Group AB (formerly Nordic Games Publishing AB and THQ Nordic AB) is a Swedish video game holding company based in Karlstad. The company was established under the name Nordic Games in December 2008, forming the video game publishing subsidiary of game retailer Game Outlet Europe.PC, ConsoleDarksidersRed Faction, Titan QuestMojangMojang AB is a Swedish video game developer and a studio of Xbox Game Studios based in Stockholm. The studio was founded by Markus Persson in 2009 as Mojang Specifications, inheriting the name from a venture of the same name he left two years prior.PC, Console, Mobile, VRMinecraftScrolls, CobaltKing (Midasplayer)King.com Limited, trading as King and also known as King Digital Entertainment, is a video game developer based in St. Julian's, Malta, that specialises in the creation of social games.MobileCandy Crush SagaBubble Witch SagaEA Digital Illusions CEEA Digital Illusions CE AB (DICE) is a Swedish video game developer based in Stockholm. The company was founded in 1992 and has been a subsidiary of Electronic Arts since 2006.PC, Console, TechBattlefieldMirror's Edge, Star Wars BattlefrontParadox InteractiveParadox Interactive AB (frequently abbreviated PDX) is a Swedish video game publisher based in Stockholm.PCEuropa UniversalisCities: Skylines, Hearts of IronAvalanche StudiosFatalist Development AB, doing business as Avalanche Studios, is a Swedish video game developer based in Stockholm. Founded by Linus Blomberg and Christofer Sundberg in March 2003, Avalanche Studios focuses on developing open world projects and bases them on their proprietary Apex game engine (formerly known as Avalanche Engine).PC, Console, TechJust CauseRage 2, Mad Max, Generation ZeroUbisoft Entertainment Sweden (Massive)Massive Entertainment is a Swedish video game developer and a studio of Ubisoft based in Malmö. The company has been fully owned by Ubisoft since 2008.PC, Console, Tech, MobileTom Clancy's The DivisionTom Clancy's The Division 2, Just Dance NowStarbreezeStarbreeze Studios AB is a Swedish video game developer and publisher based in Stockholm. Notable games developed include The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay, Payday 2 and Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons.PC, Console, Mobile, VR, TechPayday SeriesThe Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay, SyndicateMAG InteractiveMobile, FacebookRuzzleWord BrainFatsharkFatshark is an independent video game development studio based in Stockholm, Sweden.PC, Console, MobileWarhammer SeriesWarhammer: Vermintide 2, Escape Dead Island, War of the VikingsHazelight Studios ABPC, ConsoleA Way Out (video game)Brothers - A Tale of Two Sons(Axolot Games)PCScrap MechanicRaftToca BocaToca Boca is a Swedish app development studio focused on child-friendly applications for tablets and smartphones.MobileToca SeriesPaint my wingsMachineGames SwedenMachineGames agreed with Bethesda Softworks to develop a new instalment in the Wolfenstein series, and was acquired by Bethesda's parent company, ZeniMax Media.PC, ConsoleWolfenstein SeriesQuake: Dimension of the PastG5 EntertainmentG5 Entertainment is a Swedish video game developer that produces free-to-play games. The company was founded by Aleksandr Tabunov, Sergey Shults and Vlad Suglobov in 2001.PC, MobileHidden CitySherlock, Jewels of Rome, Jewels of Egypt, Jewels of the Wild WestGamersGateGamersGate is a Sweden-based online video game store offering electronic strategy guides and games for Windows, OS X, and Linux via direct download.Distribution, PC, MacFallout 4Borderlands, Skyrim, BioShock 2Donya labs (Simplygon)TechnologyArrowhead Game StudiosArrowhead Game Studios AB is an independent Swedish video game developer, established in 2008 by a group of Luleå University of Technology students.PC, Console, MacMagickaHelldivers, Helldivers 2, The Showdown EffectMindArkMindArk is a Swedish software company located in Gothenburg.PC, Mobile, VREntropia UniverseTarsier StudiosPC, Console, VR, HandheldLittle Big Planet SeriesLittle Nightmares, Tearaway UnfoldedImage & Form InternationalPC, Console, Mobile, HandheldSteamworld SeriesAnthillFrictional GamesPCAmnesiaSOMA, Penumbra SeriesRaw FuryRaw Fury is a Swedish video game publisher, specialising in the publication of indie games, based in Stockholm.PC, Mac, ConsoleKingdom: Two CrownsMosaicIllusion LabsMobile, MacTouchgrindWay of the TurtleIllwinter Game DesignPC, MacDominions SeriesErövring av ElysiumZoinkZoink AB was founded in 2001 by Klaus Lyngeled, who acts as its CEO.PC, Console, VR, Mobile, MacFeFlipping DeathPower ChallengeOnline, ServiceManagerZonePower SoccerSector3 StudiosConsoleWTCC, ADAC GT MastersSimogoMobile, Console, ServiceYear WalkDevice 6Code Club(Onetoofree)PC, MacWurm OnlineWurm UnlimitedDefoldTechMight and DelightMight and Delight is a Swedish video game development studio and publisher based in Stockholm. The studio was established in 2010 and is best known for the Shelter series.PC, Mac, ConsoleShelterPIDCreative Vault ABConsole, VRWipeout™ VRHustle Kings VR, Crash CommandoPoppermost ProductionsPoppermost Productions is a small independent game developer based in Stockholm, Sweden.PC, ConsoleSnowGrapefruktMobile, Console, PC, Web, TabletRymdkapseltwofold inc., gran chorizoLegendo EntertainmentLegendo Entertainment is a Sweden-based entertainment company, led by CEO Björn Larsson. Founded under the name "Iridon Interactive," in 1998, the company adopted its current title of “Legendo Entertainment,” in 2004.PC, Mac, Mobile, Console, Handheld, AR, Service, TabletSerpents in the MistFCB Pinball, Fortune WindsOxeye Game StudioCobalt is an action side-scrolling video game developed by Oxeye Game Studio and published by Mojang.PC, Console, MacCobaltStrategist, Harvest: Massive EncounterWhite Wolf Entertainment (defunct)PC, ConsoleThe Chronicles of DarknessExalted, World of DarknessThunderful PublishingThunderful AB is a Swedish video game holding company based in Gothenburg. It was founded in December 2017 by Brjánn Sigurgeirsson and Klaus Lyngeled, in conjunction with Bergsala Holding, as the parent company for their Gothenburg-based game development studios, Image & Form and Zoink.PC, Console, Mobile, Steam, VR, MacGhost Giant, Curious ExpeditionGhost GamesSubsidiary of Electronic ArtsPC, ConsoleNeed for SpeedNeed for Speed Heat, Need for Speed PaybackAtodAtod AB/LG Software AB (also known as 42-Bit AB) was a video game developer located in Helsingborg, Sweden.ConsoleHot Weels Extreme RacingDennaton GamesDennaton Games is an independent Swedish video game developer founded by programmer Jonatan Söderström and artist Dennis Wedin.PC, Mac, MobileHotline MiamiHotline Miami 2: Wrong NumberNifflasNicklas Nygren, better known by the handle Nifflas, is an independent Swedish video game developer.Console, Handheld, Mac, PCKnyttWithin A Deep Forest, FiNCK, NightSkyOverkill SoftwareOverkill Software is a Swedish video game developer based and founded in Stockholm in 2009 by Ulf Andersson, Bo Andersson and Simon Viklund, the founders and owners of now defunct game developer Grin.PC, Mobile, ConsoleOverkill's The Walking Dead, Payday: The Heist, Payday 2The Sleeping MachineThe Sleeping Machine AB, formerly Cockroach Inc. till 2011, is an independent Swedish video game developer design & animation studio established in 2007 by Anders Gustafsson and Erik Zaring.Mac, PC, Browser gameThe Dream MachineGateway, The Gateway Trilogy
References
See also List of video game companies of Sweden (Check this for possible extra details of relevant companies & their pages)