"If we build it, they will come" – The Guardian highlights Skövde’s games industry
How can a city of just over 58,000 people become fertile ground for some of the world’s most talked-about games? That is the question posed by The Guardian in a new feature on Skövde. And time and again, the answer points to the city’s distinctive games development ecosystem.
In the article, Skövde is described as a place that “punches far above its weight”, where international successes such as Goat Simulator, Valheim and V Rising have emerged side by side. The feature highlights both established studios and new teams, all pointing to the same conclusion: close proximity between education, incubation and industry has been critical to their journeys.
During a visit to Skövde last autumn, the journalist met with studios including Coffee Stain Studios, Stunlock Studios and Iron Gate. Despite working across different genres and at different stages of growth, the companies share a common experience – collaboration between the University of Skövde, Science Park Skövde and the local games community has created conditions that are difficult to replicate elsewhere.
“It’s an environment where knowledge is shared generously, where the path into the industry is clear through education and incubation, and where you’re never on your own as a developer,” says Rickard Frisegård, CEO of Stunlock Studios.
The Guardian also highlights Science Park Skövde’s startup program Sweden Game Startup, which supports teams in building sustainable, long-term companies. A clear majority of the teams in the program moved to Skövde to study game development at the University of Skövde and to become part of something bigger – a community described as inclusive, unpretentious and ambitious.
“Skövde’s unique games environment is the result of long-term investment in creativity and competence at both municipal and regional levels,” says Marcus Toftedahl, Business Developer at Science Park Skövde.
“Sweden Game Arena has been built over time, through close collaboration between industry, academia and developers. It doesn’t happen overnight but that long-term commitment is exactly what has made Skövde internationally relevant.”
The Guardian’s feature puts into words what many in Skövde have known for a long time: when the right pieces come together, even a smaller city can become a powerful engine for the Swedish and international games industry.
Read the full article in The Guardian here.
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