Latest News
Swedish Games Industry Announces 15 Culturally-Significant Games
Dataspelsbranschen, Sweden’s trade association for video game companies, has revealed a list of 15 gaming treasures which have deep significance in Swedish culture. The games were selected by an expert jury of historians, industry leaders, and academics, following hundreds of nominations from the general public.
It was in December 2023 that Sweden’s minister for culture Parisa Liljestrand gave a committee the assignment to develop an official culture canon. Whereas it was not specified which artforms should be covered, Dataspelsbranschen took the initiative to develop one for games.
Celebrating Sweden’s rich gaming history over almost 50 years, the ‘game culture canon’ includes a range of genres, platforms, and release years. Alongside classics such as Stugan and Europa Universalis, the list also includes newer releases such as The Battle of Polytopia and It Takes Two.
The full list, which can be found below, was created in response to plans by the Swedish government to create a cultural video games canon of the nation’s artistic achievements. To encourage the games industry to be included in this initiative, the ‘game culture canon’ was handed over to the chair of the official canon committee, Lars Trägårdh, in the presence of minister for culture Parisa Liljestrand at the policy summit Almedalen on the 26th of June.
This seminal list of Swedish gaming treasures is released at a time when national games industries are fighting for governmental recognition of their economic and cultural significance. Likewise, debates over video game preservation continue to grow louder, with the Video Game History Foundation noting that 87% of classic games are not accessible to play.
Per Strömbäck, Spokesperson of Dataspelsbranschen, commented:
“Games should be recognised as culture for several reasons: games are culture to the players, who relate to them similar ways as audiences in other art forms. Games are culture to the game developers who have the same drivers as other creators: the will to express, create something new and communicate with their audience. Games are also culture to society as they reflect the world we live in and have a rich history which is now being recognised by museums and other institutions. Also games are unique in that they are interactive. For these reasons, we think it is fitting that games have a canon too.”
Christian Lövstedt, General Manager at Midjiwan, the creators of The Battle of Polytopia, added:
“Sweden has a rich and diverse gaming history which has shaped many of today’s most popular titles. We are both honoured and excited that The Battle of Polytopia has been selected to this list. Gaming is an indispensable contributor to the Swedish economy, reaching audiences across the globe. We hope this list will continue to highlight the significance of this industry to decision-makers.”
According to Dataspelsbranschen’s 2023 Game Developer Index, the nation’s games industry revenue grew to EUR 3.1 billion in 2022, with 8,445 people working in Sweden’s games industry during the same year.
Selection in full:
-
Stugan, Developed by: Kimmo Eriksson, Viggo Kann, Olle E Johansson, 1978/1986
-
BackPacker, Developed by: Tati Mixedia, 1995
-
Europa Universalis, Developed by: Paradox Interactive, 2000
-
Ground Control, Developed by: Massive Entertainment, 2000
-
Battlefield 1942, Developed by: DICE, (Digital Illusions CE) 2002
-
Amnesia – The Dark Descent, Developed by: Frictional Games, 2010
-
Minecraft, Developed by: Mojang, 2011
-
Toca Tea Party, Developed by: Toca Boca, 2011
-
Candy Crush Saga, Developed by: King, 2012
-
Star Stable Online, Developed by: Star Stable Entertainment, 2012
-
Goat Simulator, Developed by: Coffee Stain Studios, 2014
-
The Battle of Polytopia, Developed by: Midjiwan, 2016
-
Budget Cuts, Developed by: Neat Corporation, 2018
-
Sayonara Wildhearts, Developed by: Simogo, 2019
-
It Takes Two, Developed by: Hazelight, 2021
The post Swedish Games Industry Announces 15 Culturally-Significant Games appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
Sportradar Launches Gen AI Audio Advertising for Sportsbook and Casino Operators
Sportradar announced the launch of generative AI (gen AI) audio, a new feature within its ad:s multi-channel marketing service. The tool leverages the power of gen AI integrated with Sportradar’s live data, to automate the creation of personalized, real-time audio adverts for sportsbook and casino operators across one of the fastest growing digital marketing channels globally.
Ad:s gen AI audio provides operators with a ready-to-use audio marketing solution, allowing them to generate creative content during key sporting and gaming moments to efficiently scale advertising efforts into podcast streaming services and internet radio networks. Sportradar’s industry-leading technology automatically creates customised and dynamic adverts – featuring live-data to update odds, jackpots, and upcoming events— to increase brand awareness, uplift purchase intent and increase the likelihood of customer acquisition.
AI-generated audio adverts are the latest addition to Sportradar’s comprehensive, industry-leading, end-to-end marketing services, driving brand awareness, acquisition and retention across channels including programmatic display, video, audio, digital-out-of-home (DOOH), paid social media, paid search, sponsorships and affiliate marketing.
Niki Beier, SVP Marketing Services, said: “Sports fans and bettors are increasingly consuming audio content, with listenership increasing by over 1000% in the past seven years1. To deliver maximum marketing efficiency, we’re providing a sophisticated yet simple-to-use solution to sportsbook and casino operators. Through our gen AI technology, we’re making it easy for clients to integrate audio adverts into their acquisition and branding campaigns, to reach more customers with real-time relevant audio messages, without the need for creative teams or a high production budget.”
The post Sportradar Launches Gen AI Audio Advertising for Sportsbook and Casino Operators appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
CMA: Spreadex required to sell Sporting Index
An independent CMA panel has decided Spreadex should sell Sporting Index after finding the deal harmed competition for licensed online sports spread betting services.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has accepted the proposed sale of Sporting Index, to address the competition concerns it had found in the licensed online sports spread betting market, with some modifications and enhancements.
Last year, Spreadex acquired the ‘business-to-consumer’ business of Sporting Index from Sporting Group Holding Limited (Sporting Group). Spreadex and Sporting Index both provide sports fixed odds betting and sports spread betting services to customers based in the UK.
Sports spread betting involves customers betting on a range of outcomes of sporting events rather than the standard ‘win or lose’ outcomes offered by fixed-odds betting. In spread betting, the closer a customer’s bet is to an outcome, the more money they stand to win, and the further away from the outcome they are, the more they stand to lose. This means that, in contrast to fixed odds betting, customers’ wins and losses could be far higher than the amount they bet.
After conducting an in-depth Phase 2 investigation into the deal, the CMA’s independent panel has concluded the deal created a monopoly in the UK licensed online sports spread betting market, eliminating competition in that market. The panel concluded that the merger could lead to a worse user experience, a more limited range of products and/or higher prices for consumers in the UK.
The panel has concluded that, with some modifications and enhancements, the sale remedy proposed by Spreadex is sufficient to remedy the competition concerns and restore competition in this market that is lost as a result of the deal.
The CMA now has 12 weeks to either accept Final Undertakings from Spreadex, or to make a Final Order requiring Spreadex, to sell Sporting Index to a suitable CMA-approved buyer.
Richard Feasey, the chair of the independent panel reviewing the merger, said:
“This deal eliminates competition in the supply of licensed online sports spread betting services in the UK.
Sports spread betting – like any other market – needs competition to drive good customer experience, maintain choice and keep prices competitive. To achieve this, we have decided that Spreadex should sell Sporting Index, so that customers can choose between two firms for the best user experience and prices, rather than having to use only one. “
Further details are available on the SpreadEx / Sporting Index case page.
The post CMA: Spreadex required to sell Sporting Index appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
New Slot Game Launch – Lucky Clover from PopOK Gaming!
PopOK Gaming has officially released its latest slot game, Lucky Clover! This vibrant new game features colorful graphics and engaging symbols, inviting players to spin the reels in pursuit of luck and treasure.
Lucky Clover offers thrilling opportunities for exciting wins at every turn, making it an entertaining experience for both seasoned players and newcomers alike. With its charming design and dynamic gameplay, players will find themselves coming back for more.
Try your luck with Lucky Clover today and see if fortune is on your side!
The post New Slot Game Launch – Lucky Clover from PopOK Gaming! appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
Latest News2 months ago
BlueOcean Gaming Wins Best Aggregator 2024 Award at SiGMA East Europe Awards
-
Latest News2 months ago
EGT’s bestseller Bell Link with another great success: Its bells are now ringing in the Czech market
-
Latest News2 months ago
BOS/The Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling commissions Advisense to strengthen efforts against money laundering
-
Latest News2 months ago
MIRACL partners with Continent 8 to offer its single-step passwordless MFA solution to simplify the login experience
-
Latest News2 months ago
Applications invited to become safer gambling charity for 2025 editions of ICE, iGB Affiliate and iGB L!VE
-
Latest News2 months ago
ACR Poker’s OSS XL Exceeds Guarantee With Over $46 Million In Prize Pools
-
Latest News2 months ago
Match of LeGGends: Double Down. Highlights of the show match between NAVI and Team Vitality
-
Latest News2 months ago
FBMDS and FBM Foundation host solidarity keepy-uppy initiative at G2E Las Vegas 2024
You must be logged in to post a comment Login