Dutch video games

Dutch video games have gained increasing prominence in the global gaming industry. With the global video games market reaching a value of more than 183 billion dollars in 2023 and the number of publishers continuing to grow, gaming's popularity shows no sign of slowing down. So, where does the Dutch gaming industry fit into this booming landscape?

Here’s a look at key video game studios in the Netherlands and some of the most famous Dutch games that have gained worldwide recognition.

Game studios in the Netherlands

The history of video games in the Netherlands dates back to the 1980s when small studios began developing games for platforms like the Commodore 64 and Amiga. Since then, the Dutch gaming industry has flourished, with around 600 companies currently operating in the sector. Here are the most notable Dutch game studios:

Guerilla Games

Guerilla Games, based in Amsterdam, is one of the most renowned video game studios in the Netherlands. Established in 2000, the studio gained global recognition for its Killzone series and later cemented its reputation in the industry with the critically acclaimed Horizon Zero Dawn and its sequel. 

Triumph Studios

Triumph Studios, headquartered in Delft, is a prominent Dutch game development studio known for its expertise in strategy and role-playing games. Founded in 1997, the studio gained its international reputation with the Age of Wonders series, celebrated for its rich fantasy worlds and engaging storytelling.

Triangle Studios

Triangle Studios is a Dutch video game company from Leeuwarden. Founded in 2006, they started developing video games across multiple platforms such as mobile and PC. They are mainly known for working with big partners in the international video game industry, although they also create their own games, including From Space, their most known title.

Black Cube Games

Black Cube Games, based in Amstelveen, is an independent game studio from the Netherlands known for its focus on engaging narratives and immersive gameplay. Founded in 2012, they gained recognition with their debut title, The Tale of Bistun, which is an action-adventure game inspired by Persian mythology. 

Nixxes

Nixxes is a Dutch game development studio based in Utrecht. They are known for their expertise in video game porting and optimisation. Founded in 1999, the studio gained international acclaim for collaborating with major developers to create high-quality PC ports for popular console titles.

Dutch video games

The Netherlands is famous for many things - including these video game titles that gamers from all over the world enjoy:

Killzone

Killzone is the video game that put Guerilla Studios on the map! This first-person shooter series is set in a dystopian future where players battle the Helghast, a race of mutated humans. Launched in 2004, the series grew in popularity due to its dark atmosphere, innovative gameplay, cutting-edge graphics and strategic combat.

Horizon Zero Dawn

The Horizon Zero Dawn series is a critically acclaimed, action role-playing game developed by Guerilla Games. The game is set in a post-apocalyptic world, where nature has reclaimed the planet and robots roam freely. The plot follows the story of Aloy, a hunter who tries to save humanity. Its sequel, Horizon Forbidden West, was released in 2022 and expands on its world.

Awesomenauts

Awesomenauts was a fast-paced, multiplayer online battle arena video game developed by Ronimo Games. Released in 2012, the game stood out for its unique 2D side-scrolling design and engaging mechanics. Its originality and aesthetics helped the game build a loyal fanbase. However, in 2023, Ronimo Games went bankrupt, leading to the game's shutdown. Despite this, Awesomenauts remains a standout example of a creative and ambitious Dutch video game.

Age of Wonders

Age of Wonders is a highly regarded, turn-based strategy game series developed by Triumph Studios. First released in 1999, the series blends tactical combat with building mechanics and is set in a fantasy world filled with mythical creatures. Players are invited to explore, expand, and conquer, all while managing resources and making strategic decisions. The game has three sequels, with the latest one being Age of Wonders 4.

Luftrausers

Luftrausers is an action-packed, arcade-style video game developed by Vlambeer, a Dutch indie studio. Released in 2014, the game features fast-paced, 2D dogfights, where players control customisable fighter planes in a retro, pixel-art world. The high replayability showcases Vlambeer's talent for creating memorable indie experiences.

Where to study video game design in the Netherlands

The Netherlands is a hub for the creative industries, making it an attractive destination for aspiring game developers.

If you are interested in following a career in game development, check out these video game study programs offered in English by renowned Dutch universities:

Hanze University of Applied Sciences

Hanze UAS offers a full-time bachelor's programme in Creative Media and Game Technologies, focused on the fast-changing field of digital technology. Students learn game art principles, how to develop code for video games and how to define game concepts. The dynamic curriculum explains the intersection of technology, design and storytelling.

Saxion University of Applied Sciences

Saxion UAS has a similar full-time bachelor's programme in Creative Media and Game Technologies. In contrast to the course offered at Hanze, this bachelor's is focused on learning to replicate the workflow of a professional video game studio. Future graduates can follow three career paths: artists, designers or engineers.

Breda University of Applied Sciences

The Breda UAS also provides a full-time bachelor's programme in Creative Media and Game Technologies. What makes this programme stand out is the focus on practical work. Students can choose one of four study tracks: Programming, Visual Arts, Design & Production, or Film Visual Effects, where they can learn to develop video games, and even work on creating visual effects for films.  

Video games in the Netherlands

The Dutch video game industry has notably impacted the gaming community with several impressive games developed in the Netherlands. Whether you're a gaming enthusiast or not, these Dutch video games are worth exploring!