adminIndie games are taking a prominent place at Nordic Game as independent studios offer fresh creative approaches amid an industry increasingly shaped by large publishers and live-service business models. Program director Jacob Riis says this year’s conference will spotlight smaller developers, new releases and the ideas behind making games that leave a lasting impression.
Image credit: Nordic Game
Why indie games are central to Nordic Game
Nordic Game plans to feature more than 100 new indie games on its show floor, alongside publisher meetings and pitch sessions. A new People’s Choice Award will also recognize games presented at the event. For Riis, these plans reflect a broader shift in what players and developers value.
Riis acknowledges that calling major studios damaging to the industry may be too strong: large companies helped the games business grow. However, he argues that a small number of major releases can dominate players’ attention, leaving less room for different ideas and experiences.
He sees independent developers as an important source of creative variety. Rather than focusing only on revenue or keeping players engaged for as long as possible, many indie teams prioritize distinctive ideas and emotional impact. For players, that can mean finding games that feel personal or offer something different from familiar blockbuster formulas.
Industry sales figures cited from Video Game Insights support the growing visibility of independent releases. Four of the ten best-selling Steam games by units sold over the previous 12 months were identified as indies: Peak, REPO, Schedule I and RV There Yet?
Riis also says the industry has not necessarily developed into the ideal ecosystem. In his view, renewed interest in indie games is partly a response to a market where some major companies prioritize maximizing profit, particularly in live-service titles.
Creativity, business and sustainable monetization
Many Nordic Game sessions will focus on creative problem-solving and collaboration. Riis recognizes that game development has to be financially viable, but says discussions about revenue can also consider whether monetization supports rather than disrupts gameplay.
Practical takeaway: When assessing a game’s business model, consider whether purchases or ongoing content fit naturally into the experience. A clear connection between monetization and player value can help a game feel less intrusive.
Nordic Game attendance and ticket sales
Nordic Game will take place from 26–29 May in Malmö, Sweden. Riis says ticket sales had risen by 33% at the time of the interview and were ahead of any level recorded since COVID. He also notes that the event had seen some increase in visitors, though he does not attribute the trend to a single cause.
Organizing industry events has become more challenging over the years. Riis says large companies such as Epic, Microsoft and Sony were more willing to sponsor events like Nordic Game in the 2010s. As some major firms began producing events of their own, that support declined. Nordic Game’s sponsors are now more often smaller businesses.
That shift gives the conference greater independence, according to Riis. Its priorities include supporting emerging developers, education and networking, with the aim of helping the Nordic region bring strong games to market. For attendees, networking can be especially useful: smaller teams may benefit from meeting peers, publishers and potential collaborators in one place.
Small teams competing on quality
The conference program will highlight Nordic studios and the ways teams work together. One announced session will examine Arc Raiders, with Gerardo Basurto, product director at Embark Studios, discussing the project and the team’s approach to making a large-scale game.
Riis points to the project as an example of how a relatively small team can take on ambitious work. He also mentions MachineGames and Neon Giant as studios that have achieved recognition despite having smaller teams than some of the industry’s biggest developers. The emphasis, he says, is not simply on financial results but on the creative and practical decisions behind successful projects.
Image credit: Embark Studios
Nordic Game’s audience is international as well as regional. Riis estimates that about 30% of attendees come from Nordic countries, another 30% from Germany, the UK and other nearby European countries, and the remainder from places including the United States and Asia. The event aims to create a welcoming atmosphere for visitors regardless of where they come from.
What Nordic Game’s focus means for indie games
Nordic Game’s emphasis on smaller studios reflects a wider conversation about variety, creative freedom and the role of business models in game development. Its program combines new indie releases with discussions about collaboration, production and reaching players. For developers, the event offers opportunities to share ideas and build connections; for attendees, it provides a closer look at how teams create games beyond the biggest studio systems.
Ultimately, indie games matter not only because they can succeed commercially, but because they bring different voices and experiences into the market. Nordic Game’s focus on emerging creators and thoughtful design makes independent development a central part of this year’s conversation.
