Video games in the Netherlands explained

The Netherlands' mainstream video games market, not taking into consideration the serious and casual games, is the sixth largest in Europe. In 2008, the Dutch market took up 3.95% of the entire European market in total sales and 4.19% in software sales.[1]

A significant part of the Netherlands' gaming industry is in serious games, in which Dutch companies make a significant part of the worldwide industry.[2] [3]

In the Netherlands, an estimated of 4,000 people are working in the games industry, at more than 600 companies.[4] Over 45 of the companies are located in the Dutch Game Garden, a government subsidized organization with the aim of promoting and improving the video games industry in the Netherlands.

Consumer availability

In 2007, the Dutch game industry surpassed the Dutch film industry for the first time in history. The growth of the games industry in the Netherlands is about 50% higher than any other industry in the Netherlands' region.

Despite the global financial crisis of 2008–2009, the situation of video gaming in the Netherlands is not all that bad. Both publishers and retailers report that the crisis has certainly not caused a drop in sales, while at times, sales have even improved.[5]

History

Although the first generation of video games were obtained by a select few, video games became first available during the second generation of video games, when a select few Dutch electronic stores carried the earlier systems. With the third generation, more stores started carrying video game related products, a trend that has been setting through ever since.

In the early '90s, independent video game stores first started to open in the Netherlands, with a fast expansion in the early 2000s. Since 2004, video games have gotten more important for general stores however, which has led to the closing of a number of game stores, and a merger of others.

Currently, there are about 1,200 stores, of which about 75 independent, in the Netherlands that carry video games and related items, and numerous online stores.

Distribution

Distribution of games on physical media in the Netherlands is usually done by publishers or major distributors such as Micromedia BV in Nijmegen that cover the entire Benelux, although most of the publishers' offices are located in the Netherlands, and only a few have offices in Belgium. Since not every publisher has a separate office for the Benelux, certain publishers take care of multiple labels, including those of other publishers.

The Netherlands also has several publishers for games through digital distribution, such as via web portals and mobile platforms like the App Store and Google Play.

Netherlands in video games

The Netherlands is not often used as a setting for video games, other than certain Dutch games such as A2 Racer, AmsterDoom (NL wiki) and Efteling Tycoon. Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, was planned to be a featured city in The Getaway 3, before its development was cancelled. The first internationally successful game to use the Netherlands as a setting is , which has a level set in Rotterdam. also featured a level in Rotterdam. During World War II, the Netherlands was the location of Operation Market Garden, a much-used setting for World War II games. The game focusses entirely on Operation Market Garden and accurately depicts the Dutch towns and landscape along the operation's route.

In games such as the FIFA football games and Olympic video games, teams or players from the Netherlands are featured. The TT Circuit Assen is by fans considered "The Cathedral" of motorcycling, with the Dutch TT being one of the biggest events in motorbike racing. As such, the track is featured in many of the motorcycling racing games. Circuit Park Zandvoort is a Formula One racing track. The track has been featured in its old Formula One-layout in the game Grand Prix Legends, and more recently in its current layout in TOCA Race Driver, TOCA Race Driver 2, Race 07 and rFactor 2.

Recently Mario Kart Tour added an Amsterdam tour track to its roster. [6]

Video game development

Game developers from the Netherlands

CompanyLocationFoundedType
Witan EntertainmentHaarlem1992entertainment, casual, serious, mobile games
Engine SoftwareDoetinchem1995entertainment, handheld, mobile games
Elements InteractiveAlmere1996mobile games, software and websites
IJsfonteinAmsterdam1997serious games
Triumph StudiosDelft1997core games
GamePoint B.V.The Hague1998online casino games
MAD MultimediaGroningen1998serious games
KhaeonThe Hague1999core games
Nixxes SoftwareUtrecht1999video game conversions and software
RANJRotterdam1999serious games
Bright AlleyUtrecht2000serious games and gamification
CodeglueRotterdam2000core games
E-Semble bvDelft2000serious games
Guerrilla GamesAmsterdam2000core games
NotTheFly Mobile EntertainmentVenlo2000mobile games
Two TribesHarderwijk2000core games
Little Chicken Game Company B.V.Amsterdam2001core & mobile games
MonkeybiznizUtrecht2001serious games
Grendel GamesLeeuwarden2002core- and serious games
Pixel PixiesLeeuwarden2002serious games
Trade Games InternationalThe Hague2002core games
VSTEPRotterdam2002serious games
EximionEindhoven2003core- and casual games, game distributor
Team6 Game StudiosAssen2003core games
CrazyFoot GamestudioThe Hague2004core games
Gamebasics StudioZoetermeer2004mobile games
MindgameAmsterdam2004serious games
Spill GroupUtrecht2004casual games (since 2008 known as Spil Games)
XformUtrecht2004browser based 3D games
Paladin StudiosThe Hague2005mobile games
SoepelAmsterdam2005casual and serious games
Sticky StudiosUtrecht2005serious and mobile games
Triangle StudiosLeeuwarden2005core and mobile games
TygronThe Hague2005serious games
Virtual Racing Industries B.V.Heemstede2005real-life RC events, serious games
BlewScreenTilburg2006casual and serious games
Coin-Op InteractiveRotterdam2006video game design
Blender InstituteAmsterdam2007Open content
FourceLabsUtrecht2007serious games
Weber Sites & Games BVArnhem2007casual, mobile games
ZC FuncraftNijmegen2007core games
FlavourAmsterdam2008serious games
OneBigGameAmsterdam2008core and casual games
Play like a ChampionAmsterdam2008sports games (since 2017 known as Socios Sports)
Ronimo GamesUtrecht2008core games
Rough CookieAmsterdam2008mobile and handheld games
Vertigo Games BVRotterdam2008core and serious games
WeirdBeardAmsterdam2008web games
M2HAlkmaar2009mobile, casual and core games
DoubleDutch GamesUtrecht2010indie games
GamoVationZwolle2010mobile and casual games
Gazingy InteractiveZwolle2010mobile games
Rising StepIJsselstein2010core games
Stolen Couch GamesUtrecht2010core games
Virtual PlayUtrecht2010mobile, core and serious games
Game OvenUtrecht2011mobile, experimental games
Jaywalkers InteractiveRandstad2011core and VR games
Jolly JellyfishGroningen2011promotional games
LudomotionAmsterdam2011indie games
RageSquidUtrecht (HQ)
Tilburg
2011core games
Team ReptileHilversum2011core games
8D GamesLeeuwarden2012serious games
Black Cube GamesAmstelveen2012core games
Blue GiraffeEindhoven2012casual, mobile games
Critical BitLeeuwarden2012core and serious games
Jagaco GamesZoetermeer2012casual, mobile games
Mimicry GamesLeusden2012core and casual games, software
Modoka Studios EntertainmentZwolle2012mobile and casual games
Sparkling SocietyDelft2012casual, mobile games
TrigamesDelft2012casual, mobile games
WispfireUtrecht2012casual and serious games
2MonkeysDeventer2013casual, puzzle, mobile games
BitBunchRotterdam2013Simulation and Game-engine Technology
BlackMill GamesHeiloo2013core games
Dutch Game StudioWoerden2013mobile games
KeokeN InteractiveHoofddorp2013core games
Kings LaneAmsterdam2013casual, mobile games
Maata GamesArnhem2013browser games, mobile games
Studio BleepGroningen2013serious games, augmented reality
VanillaEindhoven2013mobile games
ChimpWorksEindhoven2014mobile games
Knuist & PerzikVeenendaal2014core games
Wolfdog InteractiveRotterdam2014VR games
Codeer StudioNetherlands2015indie games
Dual Cortex GamingAmsterdam2015mobile games
Force FieldAmsterdam2015core and casual games
Hulan StudioEindhoven2015serious games
Rusty LakeAmsterdam2015indie games
Sokpop CollectiveUtrecht2015casual games
Stitch Heads EntertainmentBreda2015core games
TurtleBlazeThe Hague2015core and casual games
Studio 397Apeldoorn2016racing simulators
Total Mayhem GamesRotterdam2016indie games
TRAGsoftZevenaar2016core games
Grumpy Owl GamesUtrecht2017core games, board game adaptations, & edutainment
Hypersome GamesDen Bosch2017VR games
Wooden Shoes GamesRotterdam2017casual games
Yellowcake GamesUtrecht2017core games
BadDiceHeerlen2018casual games
Mystery City Games BVAmsterdam2018outdoor events, online team-builders, core games
Twin Wasp SimsAmersfoort2018Serious games, simulation, 3rd party
Undreamed GamesAmsterdam2018indie games
Beyond All Reason teamNetherlands2019core games, open-source
Game TailorsDelft2019serious games, gamification
Kessels game studioBeesel2019small indie games
Sparrow NightRotterdam2019core games. Ex-Studio Nul Games.
Bonte AvondUtrecht2020indie games
Eerie Guest StudiosHilversum2020core games
Roost GamesUtrecht2020indie games
Thunderoak InteractiveRijswijk2021core games
Mystic ERA gamesHarderwijk2022indie games
OnRush StudioAmsterdam2022core games
Snail BiteAmsterdam2022core games
Square Glade GamesGroningen2022core games
Enchanted WorksUtrecht2022Indie Games
Studio MantasaurUtrecht2022Indie Games

Defunct game developers

CompanyFoundedEndedType Reason for ending development
Courbois Software19822012core and casual gamesdissolved
Aackosoft19831988core and casual gamesfiled for bankruptcy in 1988
Radarsoft19841987core and casual gamesRadarsoft continues without gaming products
Team Hoi19881998core and casual gamesdissolved. Ex-"SoftEyes" / "Softeyes Design" (1990-1994).
ANMA19891993core and casual gamesdissolved
Parallax19892000core and casual gamesdissolved
Ultra Force19891993moved to computer software development
The Vision Factory19922002casual gamesfiled for bankruptcy in January 2002
Digital Infinity19952000casual gamesmerged into Lost Boys Games
DIMA/Creative Media19951997dissolved
Orange Games19952000core, casual and mobile gamesmerged into Lost Boys Games
White Bear19982011filed for bankruptcy in December 2011
Lost Boys Games20002003core and casual gamestaken over and renamed Guerrilla Games
DarXabre20012011inactive since 2011
Streamline Studios20012009filed for bankruptcy in November 2009
Playlogic Entertainment20022010core gamesfiled for bankruptcy in July 2010 and again in December 2014
Coded Illusions20042008filed for bankruptcy September 2008
Spellborn Works20042009filed for bankruptcy in June 2009
W!Games20052016core and casual gamesmerged as Vanguard Games into Force Field in April 2016
Virtual Fairground20082011filed for bankruptcy in April 2011
Vlambeer20102020dissolved
Ostrich Banditos20122015core gamesdissolved/abandoned in 2015
Through Games20142017core gamelikely inactive in Jan 2017 as co-founder became independent contractor

Game publishers from the Netherlands

CompanyLocationFoundedType
Abstraction Games B.V.Valkenswaard (HQ)2007Publisher, co-development, porting. Former dev.
Artificial CoreAmsterdam (HQ), Kyiv (Development)2015Publisher & dev - online games
Dutch Game StudioWoerden2013Mobile Games
Evil Turtle ProductionsLosser2018Publisher & dev - audio, indie games
FinitudeMaastricht (HQ), Berlin (Development)2015Publisher & dev - core games
Future MinimalismAlkmaar2021Publisher & dev - core games
GameHouse B.V.Eindhoven2001Casual games distributor & dev. Ex-Zylom Media Group BV (2001-2008), RealGames B.V. (2008-2010).
GamiousHaarlem2011casual games on multiple platforms
Good Shepherd EntertainmentThe Hague2011console and PC games
Iceberg InteractiveHaarlem2009core and casual games
Level InfiniteAmsterdam (HQ), Singapore2021core and mobile games
Lion Castle EntertainmentAssen2018core and casual games
Modoka Studios EntertainmentZwolle2012mobile and casual games
OneBigGameAmsterdam2008core and casual games
Perfect World EntertainmentAmsterdam2011console and PC games
Seven Volts GamesTilburg2020Publisher & dev - core and casual games
SOEDESCOHoogvliet2014hardcore and casual games on multiple platforms
Spill GroupUtrecht2004casual games (since 2008 known as Spil Games)
Studio TaghuaAmsterdam2020Publisher - core games
The 4 Winds EntertainmentAmsterdam2021Publisher, marketing, localization - core games
UnitedGamesWormerveer2007core games
WeeCodeLab B.V.The Hague (HQ)2018Publisher & dev - indie games

Defunct game publishers from the Netherlands

CompanyFoundedEndedType Reason for ending publishing
Davilex Games19932005casual and serious gamespublisher & dev. Davilex continues without gaming products.
Easy Interactive B.V.20012014core gamesfiled for bankruptcy in 2014. Acquired by Dutch firm, Foreign Media Group, in 2006.
Gambitious Digital Entertainment20112017console and PC gamesGambitious Digital Entertainment ceased crowdfunding activities & was rebranded into Good Shepherd Entertainment as a publisher
HD Publishing B.V.19952008core gameslikely filed for bankruptcy in 2008. Ex-HD Interactive B.V. in 1995 to 2005.
Lighthouse Interactive20052008core gamesclosed due to bankruptcy of parent company in 2008
Megaware Multimedia B.V.20002005core gamesfiled for bankruptcy in late 2005
Midas Interactive Entertainment BV
(ES wiki)
19982012core gamesHQ moved to UK in 2001 but Netherlands office remained. filed for bankruptcy in 2012.
Playlogic Entertainment20022014core gamesfiled for bankruptcy in December 2014
Project Two Interactive BV19952000core gamesfiled for bankruptcy in 2000. Lead staff setup Project 3 Interactive in 2000.
Project Three Interactive BV20002006core gamesfiled for bankruptcy in early 2006. One co-founder set up Lighthouse Interactive in 2005; as CEO of Iceberg Interactive in 2009.
R&P Electronic Media19912001casual and serious gamespublisher and localisation. Continued without gaming products.
tinyBuild20112014core gamesHQ moved from Netherlands to Seattle. Still has offices in Netherlands.
Xing Interactive C.V.20012009core gamesfiled for bankruptcy, or reverted to parent holding group in early 2009

Popular games developed in the Netherlands

See also: List of video games developed in the Netherlands.

Education

Up until 1998, whoever wanted to work in the gaming industry was best off pursuing a computer programming or graphic design education. In 1998, Utrecht School of the Arts offered the first 'pure' game education on the European continent.[7] Currently there are 11 schools offering specific game educations in the Netherlands.

University of Amsterdam

Since 2013 the University of Amsterdam offers the first master program focused on game development (Game studies).

Utrecht University

Utrecht University offers Game technology as a variant of its Computer Science bachelor and a master in Game & Media Technology.

Breda University of Applied Sciences

Breda University of Applied Sciences has been offering a course in game development (Creative Media and Game Technologies), for over 10 years. The 4-year course is entirely focused on practical teaching, working with a variant of Project-Based Learning called "Role-Based Learning". Students work entirely on game development projects, with an assessment based on their behavior and learning within those projects. They also offer a Master in Game Technology.

Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences

Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences offer a major in Creative Media & Game Technologies with a minor Game design and Development for example where students have to create several games within a short amount of time. First, they learn to create a 2D Android game within 6 weeks. Then they learn to create a 3D game within 13 weeks total.

Saxion University of Applied Sciences

Saxion University of Applied Science in Enschede also offers a bachelor's degree in Creative Media and Game Technologies.

Media

Print media

Defunct print media

Television and radio

Defunct television and media

Online media

Defunct online media

Video game systems

Philips CD-i

The Philips CD-i (Compact Disc Interactive), first released in 1991, is an interactive multimedia CD player developed and marketed by the Dutch electronics manufacturer Royal Philips Electronics N.V. This category of device was created to provide more functionality than an audio CD player or game console, but at a lower price than a personal computer with a CD-ROM drive at the time.Earlier CD-i games included entries in popular Nintendo franchises, such as Hotel Mario, Link: The Faces of Evil, Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon and Zelda's Adventure, although those games were not developed by Nintendo. In addition to games, a lot of educational and multimedia reference titles were produced for the system, such as interactive encyclopedias, museum tours, etc. The CD-i was a commercial failure, selling 1 million units across all manufactures in 7 years, and losing Phillips $1 billion.

Other Consoles

European video game rating

The Netherlands Institute for the Classification of Audiovisual Media (NICAM) is the institute responsible for the software given for review for the European video game content rating system PEGI.

Video game events in the Netherlands

Between 2005 and 2013, the NLGD Festival of Games was an annual trade show for the national and international video games industry, with an attendance of over 1,500 visitors in 2013.

Between 2005 and 2009, Amsterdam was the host city to Casual Connect Europe, the world's leading trade show for casual games. After a four-year absence, Amsterdam hosted Casual Connect once more in February 2014.http://europe.casualconnect.org

Over the years, there have been 2 large consumer events, until 2007 this was 'Gameplay'. From 2008 the event is organized by Blammo Events and is called Firstlook, the event is held annually in the Jaarbeurs Utrecht. Since 2015 the event has been rebranded as Firstlook Festival.[8]

In 2013, Walibi Holland hosted the first edition of Game On, which hosted several video game activities in the theme park. Also in 2013, the Retro Game Experience was first hosted as part of the Sound and Vision experience at the Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision. Smaller organizations and private collectors also host retro game events on a regular basis.

LAN scene

In the Netherlands, several large and smaller LAN parties and other gaming events are held yearly. In recent years, the 1000+ visitors have declined in popularity, with the scene seeing a shift towards smaller, more sociable events and/or events that offer more than just non-stop gaming. Additional activities include (outdoor) sports events, quizzes and other non-gaming competitions. In addition, small LAN-parties held at home for typically 5–15 visitors, remain popular.

A notable organization is Gameparty.net, a website that functions as a central hub in the Dutch game event scene, who also hosts two large annual events, TheParty and CampZone. Other major LAN-parties and organisations that have organized 1000+ visitor events include Drome, Netgamez, LAN = Life and Regroup. Most of these organizations operate on a non-profit basis, finding sponsors within the computer and gaming world to be able to operate budget-neutral.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Gamed.nl . Nieuws: VK grootste gamesmarkt in Europa . April 12, 2008.
  2. Web site: . The Netherlands Announces Its Growing Role in the Global Games Industry . May 7, 2008.
  3. Lenting, T. (2019), Gamegeschiedenis van Nederland 1978-2018. Karel van Mander Academy: Arnhem.
  4. Web site: Dutch Game Garden. Games Monitor The Netherlands 2020 Update - Covid Impact. April 30, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20220619124811/https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IBZKIBonGyEA9ph3gMjIoRLD0xFMfNW_/view. June 19, 2022.
  5. Web site: . Martijn . Müller . Games in de huidige economische crisis . March 3, 2009 . nl.
  6. Web site: Amsterdam Tour . July 3, 2022 .
  7. Web site: Global Game Jam NL | HKU University of the Arts Utrecht . January 25, 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140214095909/http://romarbucur.com/globalgamejam1/university-of-the-arts-utrecht/ . February 14, 2014 .
  8. Web site: Firstlook Festival yearly event . Firstlook Festival . January 6, 2016.