A bold new wave of indies, serious gaming firms and mobile specialists are reinvigorating the Netherlands hub. Will Freeman talks to the companies making this region’s games industry matter
AS A COUNTRY, the Netherlands is well served by contemporary stereotypes. Once you’ve got the tired clichés about windmills and tulips out of the way, that is. Dutch culture is considered liberal, its populace hip, friendly and intelligent, and its cities and rural sprawl desirable and beautiful. In short, it’s known as a nice place to make
a home, and for that reason it has established itself as the host of a thriving games industry. From giants like Ubisoft and Nintendo, which have their Benelux headquarters in the Utrecht province, to prolific indies such as Codeglue and high profile powerhouses including Guerrilla and Spil, the famously flat country houses a rich and diverse games sector that has positioned the nation on the global development stage. The reason for the Netherlands’
Game Academy’s Albert Sikkiema (middle) and Invest Utretch’s Derk van Wingerden (above). Main image: Codeglue’s HQ
34 | JULY 2012
international standing? According to Maarten de Koning, MD and co-founder of Dutch studio, consultancy and funding outfit Green Hill, it’s a factor that transcends the games industry in isolation.
“Historically, the Netherlands has always been an international player,” he says. “People are brought up and raised with this heritage. Speaking two or more languages is standard, as is working with different cultures. Healthy businesses are a result of this, and definitely a strong point in the fluctuating and fast changing industry we’re in. Working with different kinds of parties internationally is definitely one of our biggest strengths.”
ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT There’s also a chorus of Dutch developers keen to point to entrepreneurialism as a national forte, and many see that spirit as a foundation for the Netherlands games industry as a global player, despite the country’s relatively small size. “We are entrepreneurs, and as such we are
very capable and willing of starting our own companies,” asserts Thijmen Bink, CEO and technical director at creatively daring Dutch indie Digital Dreams, before detailing some of the region’s other strengths. “We have games studios that have been around for
over a decade, and they share their experience and opportunities with the younger ones. The Dutch government is also becoming more aware of the economical importance of the game industry, and acts accordingly.” Bink is clearly optimistic, and he’s not
alone. Knock on the door of almost any Dutch developer – and particularly those in the indie and mobile space that is clearly a specialty of the country – and you’re likely to be greeted by somebody poised to sing the praises of their homeland. An example is Marcel Pordon, CCO of mobile and social specialist Youdagames, who highlights both entrepreneurship and a flair for design as archetypically Dutch attributes, before addressing other strengths of the country. “Like always, the Dutch aren’t afraid to
look further than just their own borders,” he states. “Creativity and design in general are some of the most important strengths of the Dutch, and that is also reflected in game design, which is also stimulated by good games education.”