Facts and Figures about Games Industry in Denmark

Key insights

6 takeaways

01
Denmark is the 27th largest games industry in the world, with developer turnover growing 119% between 2009 and 2013.
02
The country's video game export share increased by 80% during the 2009–2013 period, driving increased government investment in the sector.
03
Interactive Denmark projects annual cultural support of €1.16 million and dedicated innovation funding of €2.67 million for the industry between 2015 and 2018.
04
In 2014, 47% of Danish developers focused on mobile titles, while 30% were engaged in traditional boxed and digital game development.
05
Domestic engagement is high, with 47% of the total online population playing games and 65% of children aged 10 to 15 having purchased a game for themselves.
06
Denmark is home to notable developers such as IO Interactive, creator of the Hitman series, and Playdead, the studio behind the indie title Limbo.

Summary

The Danish games industry experienced significant growth between 2009 and 2013, establishing itself as the 27th largest market globally. During this period, total developer turnover increased by 119%, while the export share of video games rose by 80%. This sustained economic momentum has prompted increased government support, with projections from the industry organization Interactive Denmark indicating annual cultural support of €1.16 million and dedicated innovation funding of €2.67 million for the 2015–2018 period.

The sector is characterized by a strong focus on mobile development, which accounted for 47% of developer activity in 2014, while traditional boxed and digital games comprised 30%. The industry is bolstered by internationally recognized studios, such as IO Interactive, known for the Hitman series, and Playdead, the developer of the acclaimed title Limbo. These entities represent the high-profile output of a maturing domestic market.

Domestic consumer engagement remains robust, with 47% of the Danish online population participating in gaming. Weekly gaming habits are prevalent among a quarter of the adult population, and the youth demographic shows high levels of self-sufficiency, as 65% of children aged 10 to 15 have purchased games independently. These figures underscore a healthy ecosystem supported by both strong local demand and a thriving, export-oriented development sector.