Successful Studio Supports Local Startups – "An Investment in the Future of Swedish Game Development"
On Wednesday, the global games industry will gather in Cologne, Germany, for the Gamescom trade fair. The event is a crucial platform where both new and established companies showcase their games to a global audience. Seven startups from Sweden Game Startup will be present at the Swedish booth, largely thanks to financial support from the Skövde-based game studio Stunlock Studios.
“The exposure that Gamescom offers startups is unmatched. If we can support them in their business journey to reach the global market, it is something that will benefit the entire Swedish games industry,” says Rickard Frisegård, CEO of Stunlock Studios.
Under the Sweden Game Arena brand, Sweden will be represented at a booth at Gamescom. There, game clusters, game companies, and other partners from across Sweden will be housed as part of a Nordic collaboration.
Seven startups from Science Park Skövde's game startup program, Sweden Game Startup, will be networking and scheduling meetings with investors and publishers during the conference, hoping to take their games to the next level.
“As Europe’s largest game fair with over 370,000 visitors, Gamescom is a unique platform where startups can showcase their games to a global audience and connect with investors and publishers. The fact that the game companies can do this under the Sweden Game Arena brand will provide them with extra support and visibility, increasing their chances of succeeding in the international market,” says Rickard Frisegård.
Rickard Frisegård, CEO of Stunlock Studios.
Meeting the People Behind the Companies
As important a platform as it is for startups, it is equally vital for the business coaches at Sweden Game Startup.
“Supporting them to attend Gamescom is one of our strongest offerings in the program, but it’s also an important meeting place for us. There, we can broaden our investor network with more international investors and publishers and find future collaboration partners for the projects we run. It also gives us the opportunity to see what’s happening in the international games industry, from which we can learn,” says Daniel Nilsson, business coach at Science Park Skövde.
For Nora Mattsson, who recently started the game company Studio Downstairs through Sweden Game Startup, Gamescom is an important opportunity to meet the people behind the game publishing companies, thereby creating better connections and understanding what is required.
“Getting the chance to expand our network but also to connect with publishers who match what we want to achieve is an incredible opportunity for us,” says Nora.
Studio Downstair's game Find or be Found.
Promoting Game Development Nationally
The Skövde-based Stunlock Studios has seen great success in recent years with the game V Rising. Now, the successful studio has chosen to finance the participation of game companies in the Swedish booth.
“We know how important it is for young companies to gain exposure and the opportunity to network internationally. Through the joint initiative within Sweden Game Arena, where actors come together to promote game development on a national level, we see the support of startups in Sweden Game Startup as an investment in the future of Swedish game development,” says Rickard Frisegård.
The game company, which was part of Sweden Game Startup itself from 2009 to 2012, sees the support as a way to give back to the community.
“The startup program was a central part of our development, offering early resources and networks that helped us grow. The support was crucial for us during the early years and helped us turn our ideas into successful products. Now, it’s our turn to give back,” says Rickard.
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