Game Developer Index 2009: Sweden

The Game Developer Index 2009 provides a comprehensive financial and operational overview of the Swedish game development industry. The report serves as an annual assessment of the sector’s health, analyzing turnover, employment, and market trends. Despite the broader economic downturn in 2009, which led to notable company closures and a 19 percent decline in industry employment, the report concludes that the Swedish gaming sector remains fundamentally stable and well-positioned for future growth.

Key data points from the 2009 survey of 101 companies indicate a 17 percent decrease in total turnover compared to 2008. However, the industry demonstrated improved efficiency, with turnover per employee rising for the third consecutive year. The sector remains highly polarized, with the five largest companies accounting for over 60 percent of both total employment and total turnover. While the industry is dominated by a few major players, there is a vibrant ecosystem of smaller studios and specialized subcontractors providing essential services such as motion capture, lighting technology, and localization to global markets.

The report highlights Sweden’s status as a significant international exporter of high-quality games, supported by a strong symbiosis between industry and education. Methodologically, the findings are derived from the financial statements of Swedish limited companies, supplemented by direct data collection from developers, publishers, and third-party industry analysts. By comparing Sweden to its Nordic neighbors and larger international markets, the analysis underscores the region's competitive strength in the global entertainment landscape, noting that while Sweden and Finland lead the Nordic region in turnover and employment, the industry continues to diversify into new business models like mobile, online, and social gaming.