There has never been so much to choose from for everyone who is fond of computer games. 2023 was the year when it overflowed with choices and critically acclaimed blockbusters were lined up. The Norwegian website PressFire has gone through the gaming year and counted over 31,000 different releases just for PC and game consoles. There are close to a hundred games a day – and that’s without including figures for mobile games. In other words, it is even more than this. – What is most surprising is the amount and frequency of games that are released. In recent years, the curve has skyrocketed, and it is now at a level where we really notice it, says editor Erik Fossum in PressFire to news. JANUARY FLOOD: The new talking game “Palworld” which was recently released is one of probably 2000-3000 new computer games this month. Photo: Pocketpair – Good games are drowning It is especially in the area of small games and smaller indie games that the selection has exploded. For the public, this benefits through more and more varied gaming experiences, but for those who have this as a livelihood, the battle for existence hardens. In 2020, a report showed that half of all indie games for PC will not earn more than an average Norwegian monthly salary. Since then, the offer of games has increased by 50 percent. It is in this densely packed indie market that the vast majority of players in the Norwegian games industry compete in. – The amount of games is absolutely extreme. Many good games are never found and drown in the competition, says general manager Tobias Fossheim of the Norwegian game studio Krillbite. The Oslo-based game studio is in the final phase with “Fruitbus”. A game about cute animals, cooking and bus driving. - We dare to have high expectations because we have so much fun when we make it. At games fairs around the world, we find that those who have tested it enjoy it. NORWAY VERSUS THE REST: Last year’s “Spider-Man 2” for Playstation 5 cost over NOK 3 billion to make. Photo: Insomniac Games/Sony Interactive In comparison, the upcoming Norwegian game “Dustborn” has a budget of NOK 40 million. Photo: Red Thread Games The big game “Dune: Awakening” is expected in 2024. With over 400 employees, Funcom is the only large, global player in Norway, and develops games in the several hundred million range. Photo: Funcom The Norwegian games industry also consists of smaller game studios and one-man projects. With saved funds and support from NFI, Jardar Solli has a goal of publishing an early edition (early access) of “Seablip” in 2024. Photo: Privat Simple and important facts about the Norwegian gaming industry Several medium-sized companies in Norway have around five to twenty employees. These operate with budgets from NOK 10 to 40 million. The gap to Norway’s oldest and largest game company, Funcom, is large. They have over 400 employees around the world, and make games that are often ten times more expensive than their Norwegian counterparts. The company is owned by China’s Tencent. The Norwegian gaming industry is experiencing strong growth and approaching a thousand permanent employees. Computer games have been referred to as Norway’s largest cultural product measured in kroner and øre. This is correct, but this fluctuates as the industry is small and there are years without major releases. The mummies first In the same premises as Krillbite, there is another game company that will soon launch the game they have spent three years on: “Snusmumrikken: Melodien i Moommidalen”. Behind it is the company Hyper Games, which wrote Norwegian game history with their previous game. – Trying to make the next big game that everyone will play is only getting more and more demanding, says general manager Are Sundnes of Hyper Games. “Snusmumrikken” is, together with Funcom’s big “Dune” game, the only Norwegian games in the top 200 of “most wanted games” on the PC portal Steam, according to SteamDB. – Considering how many games are released each year, we are very satisfied. Until launch, we also expect more people to put it on their wish list. Tracks billion dollar industry in Norway The influx of new ones is not necessarily a problem, believes Erik Fossum in PressFire. He highlights that the major gaming companies Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft estimate that close to half of the world’s population plays games. – As the number of games increases, the number of players increases. The competition is great, but there are so many different genres and niches where Norwegian games can do well. Editor and games journalist Erik Fossum in PressFire. Photo: PressFire.no The Norwegian gaming industry has experienced strong growth in turnover and the number of employees in recent years. Although things are looking brighter, 2024 has started with the news of major cost cuts and canceled games among global players. Here at home, Snowcastle Games has to downsize heavily. The editor at PressFire believes that growth will continue, but that we will have to wait for the big breakthrough for Norwegian computer games. – I don’t think this will be the big year for Norwegian games, but I think we will soon see good results. In 2025, I guess we can call Norwegian game development a billion-dollar industry, says Fossum. Are too many computer games being made? Check out the indie game that’s on everyone’s lips these days: “Palworld” is the new buzz game. Read other games from news:
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A record number of computer games are being published – this is how the Norwegians want to assert themselves – news Culture and entertainment
