Gaming
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:
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Stugan, Developed by: Kimmo Eriksson, Viggo Kann, Olle E Johansson, 1978/1986
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BackPacker, Developed by: Tati Mixedia, 1995
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Europa Universalis, Developed by: Paradox Interactive, 2000
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Ground Control, Developed by: Massive Entertainment, 2000
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Battlefield 1942, Developed by: DICE, (Digital Illusions CE) 2002
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Amnesia – The Dark Descent, Developed by: Frictional Games, 2010
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Minecraft, Developed by: Mojang, 2011
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Toca Tea Party, Developed by: Toca Boca, 2011
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Candy Crush Saga, Developed by: King, 2012
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Star Stable Online, Developed by: Star Stable Entertainment, 2012
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Goat Simulator, Developed by: Coffee Stain Studios, 2014
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The Battle of Polytopia, Developed by: Midjiwan, 2016
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Budget Cuts, Developed by: Neat Corporation, 2018
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Sayonara Wildhearts, Developed by: Simogo, 2019
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It Takes Two, Developed by: Hazelight, 2021
The post Swedish Games Industry Announces 15 Culturally-Significant Games appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
FreezeNova
10-15% Of Gamers In Florida Show Signs Of Gaming Addiction: Here Are 10 Signs Your Kid Is Suffering From It (And How You Can Help)
Recent studies indicate that 10-15% of young gamers in Florida exhibit signs of gaming addiction. These findings underscore the need for early identification of symptoms to prevent negative impacts on children’s mental and physical health. Gaming addiction, if not dealt with, can lead to poor academic performance, social withdrawal, and even health problems.
Marin Cristian-Ovidiu, CEO of FreezeNova, discusses key indicators of gaming addiction and offers practical advice for parents.
Recognizing Early Signs
“Early recognition of gaming addiction is crucial in preventing long-term negative outcomes,” Marin explains. The following signs can help parents identify if their child might be developing an addiction:
Exhaustion and Irritability
Constant tiredness and grumpiness during the day could indicate late-night gaming sessions interfering with sleep.
Gaming Obsession
If gaming dominates your child’s thoughts and conversations, and they plan their day around it while neglecting other responsibilities, it could be a sign of addiction.
Decline in Academic Performance and Lost Interests
A noticeable decline in academic performance or loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities may suggest your child is prioritizing gaming over more important tasks.
Emotional Volatility
Extreme emotional reactions to in-game outcomes, such as uncontrolled anger, known as ‘Gamer Rage’, or intense celebrations, could indicate an unhealthy attachment to gaming.
Physical Strain
Signs of repetitive strain injuries like ‘Gamer’s Thumb’ or ‘Nintendo Neck’ from prolonged screen time are warning signals.
Neglecting Basic Needs
If your child is neglecting basic needs like eating, sleeping, or hygiene to keep playing, gaming has likely taken an unhealthy control over their life.
Creating a Supportive Environment
While video games can be a great source of entertainment and connection, around 70% of people with signs of gaming addiction also experience social disorders. Marin recommends a few tips for building a supportive and open environment for your child.
Teamwork and Setting Boundaries
“Parents and children should work together to create a healthy gaming environment. Gaming addiction requires a holistic approach,” Marin advises. Start by setting clear boundaries on gaming time to ensure there’s room for schoolwork, chores, and quality family time.
Revisit activities your child once loved, like football practice or exploring new hobbies together. It’s vital for your child to take breaks from screens, so create a balanced daily routine that includes homework, chores, exercise and just some gaming time. This allows your child to enjoy their games without neglecting other aspects of their life.
Open Communication
Maintain open communication. Discuss the games your child enjoys and any concerns you might have. By understanding their world, you can work together to find solutions.
Remember, you’re not alone. If you feel overwhelmed, seek professional help from specialists in gaming addiction. Marin concludes, “By working as a team, setting clear boundaries, and fostering open communication, we can help your child develop a healthy relationship with gaming and thrive in all areas of life.”
SYNOT Games has announced that more than 140 of its games have now been officially certified in Brazil.
“We are delighted to announce that more than 140 of our games have now been officially certified in Brazil. This significant achievement allows us to expand our reach and introduce a diverse selection of games to this dynamic market. Brazil represents a key opportunity for growth, and we are committed to delivering exceptional gaming experiences to the Brazilian audience,” the Company said.
“We are thrilled to introduce our portfolio in Brazil, offering innovative and engaging gameplay that promises to captivate and entertain players,” Martina Krajci, CCO at SYNOT Games, said.
Whether they think traders are going to ho ho ho-ld their positions or that a pre-Christmas crash will signal the start of a major sell-off, now’s the time for players to put their money where their mouth is and bet on the movements of the BTC market in Up or Down? Santa.
A festive-themed re-skin of Bitblox’s popular Up or Down? game, Up or Down? Santa will again challenge players to correctly predict whether the price of Bitcoin will rise or fall by the end of a one-minute window, making it a simple yet engaging title that can attract a wide range of bettors.
Featuring ever-updating live odds that are based on real-time data from the actual Bitcoin market, Up or Down? Santa – unlike traditional RNG titles – provides a hybrid mix of skill-based games (SBGs) and games of chance, giving players much more control over the outcome of each round.
With this giving them scope to analyse the charts and put together their own predictive models based on recent market movements or just pick the option that offers the biggest potential pay-off, this ensures the game will appeal to both sports bettors and casino players in equal measure.
As with all Bitblox titles, Up or Down? Santa has been optimised for mobile and desktop, meaning it’s supported by a range of devices and offers an ideal festive option for operators looking to add an exciting new vertical to their portfolio.
Combining the same simple mechanics of Bitblox’s flagship game with Santa hats, snowflakes and other holiday-themed visuals, Up or Down? Santa provides a fun twist on a fan favourite that will be available throughout December so customers can choose which version they want to play.
Brandt Page, Chief Executive Officer at Bitblox, said: “With the original Up or Down? bringing our unique brand of fun and fast-paced crypto price prediction games to market and interest in Bitcoin currently soaring, we thought now was the perfect time to give the release a festive reboot.
“Up or Down? Santa takes the same accessible concept as our flagship title and decks it out in a new Christmas-themed design, making it the perfect seasonal release for operators looking to capitalise on the growing demand for titles that combine aspects of SBGs and games of chance.”
The post Bitblox announce a new Christmas cracker in Up or Down? Santa appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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