FOCUS ON: Dutch Gaming

Entertainment game for and iPhone by Gaming research and resources learning and training experiences. For this developer Two Tribes purpose, Utrecht University, Utrecht To ensure Holland’s creative and busi- School of Arts, and the TNO organization Serious problems require serious solu- ness influence in the international games have combined their creative talents and tions. The Dutch have a long history of suc- market, the Dutch have invested in creat- professional skills in the fields of computer cessfully battling the elements. As a result, ing courses in more than twenty colleges science, information science, virtual they have learned to expect the unexpected and universities. Curricula reflect the reality, psychology, and game design. and to prepare for multiple contingencies. technical, design, and creative elements With this know-how as background, they’re needed in the modern international Gaming events poised to create training games and interac- marketplace. The future for gaming looks As a result of the growing and increas- tive simulations with great accuracy and bright in the Netherlands with these highly ingly professional game industry in the depth. Dutch serious game developers such skilled professionals entering the field. Netherlands, some high profile and suc- as VSTEP and E-Semble (Delft) have suc- The Dutch government is also co-fund- cessful events have emerged. Two such cessfully developed training solutions for ing several large-scale research projects to events are the annual NLGD Festival of numerous international clients. discover how to effectively apply advanced Games and Free Gaming. Serious simulation game by developer E-Semble The market for casual games has explod- gaming techniques in training and simula- The NLGD Foundation offers room to all information about game development, ed in recent years. The Dutch represent a tion products. The goal is to make the disciplines within the games industry to and participate in a wide variety of related leading edge in developing this business. Netherlands the most productive and most work either directly or indirectly with seri- activities at no charge. The event is sup- Unlike that of traditional video games, the cited research center in Europe for gaming for developers to distribute ous or entertainment games. Included are ported by Dutch publishers, developers, casual games appeal largely to elderly and that is aimed at education, training, their products to gamers. Xbox Live Arcade, publishers and developers, research distributors and local authorities. The female players. The universal popularity of and entertainment. The Netherlands has the resources, PlayStation Network and WiiWare represent organizations, educational institutions, latest event drew more than 10,000 visi- casual gaming has broadened the exposure One example is the GATE project with a capabilities, and native talent to make it a platforms for creative games that can be and trade and industry. The NLGD Festival tors. Many are looking forward to the of interactive video games as a whole. total budget of 19 million euros. This proj- world-class gaming and development produced by small, focused teams. of Games is being supported by local, next event on July 18, 2009. Another increasingly popular category is ect has three objectives: region. As a result, the gaming industry in Developers in the Netherlands have regional and national governments. The Dutch are quickly becoming “mas- advergames. Games like Little Chicken’s rac- • to advance the state of the art in the Netherlands recently reached a value of embraced this opportunity and delivered The largest consumer event in the ters” of the gaming industry. Dutch game ing game Trac act as a viable tool to attract gaming, nearly one billion euros, and its growth rate some of the best examples of easily accessi- Netherlands is Free Gaming in Rotterdam. products, designed and built with Dutch consumers to specific products – in this • to facilitate knowledge transfer to is outpacing other industries by about 50 ble and highly playable games. It’s an open-air event for people of all technology, are now an integral part of case, Vredestein tires. Any advertiser would companies, and percent. More than 100 companies are ages to experience the latest games, get mainstream global gaming. Serious and casual games want to be associated with fun. Dutch • to show the benefits and potential of active in the industry. advertising agencies recognize the power of gaming in public sectors. Some reasons for this burgeoning growth Currently the Dutch have strong posi- branded games to generate an awareness of The hope is to develop a globally com- include: tions in two of the more interesting branch- particular products in the consumer’s mind. petitive knowledge-base of game technol- • a concentration of some of the world’s es of the game industry – the serious game These “advergames” now are an integral ogy. The GATE project will work toward best known studios market and online casual entertainment. part of any advertising campaign worldwide. enhancing the productivity and competi- • a government that is actively stimulat- tive edge of small- and medium-sized ing the industry, and creative companies. • excellent gaming research projects and Moreover, the Center for Advanced coursework at several universities. Gaming and Simulation (AGS) in the The new online capabilities of next-gen- Netherlands has become a leading-edge eration consoles have opened different ways research center for advancing state-of- the-art techniques. The goal of AGS is to create technology for highly effective ShipSim, a serious simulation Advergame TracChallenge2 by developer game by developer VSTEP Little Chicken promotes Vredestein tires 4 5