As the program for this year's Nordic Game conference is revealed, the program director reflects on the rise of indie gaming

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Nordic Game program director Jacob Riis reflects on the rise of indie gaming as a counterreaction to large studios dominating the industry with profit-driven, live-service games. He argues that indie developers are the true creative heart of the industry, citing data showing four of the top ten Steam games by units sold over the past year were indie titles. Nordic Game 2026 will feature over 100 indie games on the show floor, expanded publisher and pitch sessions, and a new People's Choice Award. Ticket sales are up 33% compared to recent years, partly attributed to GDC's attendance drop. The conference has shifted away from big corporate sponsors like Epic, Microsoft, and Sony toward smaller businesses, which Riis sees as preserving editorial independence and a grassroots focus on Nordic game development.

"Heavyweights ruined the industry... now we live on the indies" Nordic Game embraces smaller devs and games with soul