10 Best Games Made By Swedish Developers
Sweden has become one of the most quietly influential countries in modern game development. Over the past decade, Swedish studios have released games that did more than review well. They sold millions of copies, won major awards, and shaped entire genres, from cooperative storytelling and grand strategy to extraction shooters and indie action classics. This list looks at ten standout video games made by Swedish developers, focusing on what made each one significant, whether through sales milestones, industry recognition, long-term player engagement, or lasting influence on how games are designed and played.
1. Minecraft
Minecraft was developed by Mojang Studios in Stockholm and first entered public alpha in 2009, with its full release arriving in November 2011. The sandbox game allows players to explore procedurally generated worlds, mine resources, build structures, and survive in dynamic environments. Over time it expanded across virtually every game platform, from PC to consoles, mobile devices, and even educational hardware, making it one of the most widely accessible games ever created. Minecraft: Education Edition and other licensed versions have been used worldwide in classrooms to teach subjects from programming to collaborative problem-solving.
A major milestone in Minecraft’s history came in September 2014, when Microsoft acquired Mojang and the Minecraft intellectual property for $2.5 billion, a figure that made global headlines and remains one of the largest studio acquisitions in gaming history. Since then, Minecraft has continued to flourish under Xbox Game Studios, becoming the best-selling video game of all time with 350+ million copies sold worldwide as of 2025. It has sustained massive active engagement, with hundreds of millions of monthly players, spawned official conventions such as Minecon, and expanded into movies and merchandise that have set records for video game adaptations at the box office.
2. Helldivers 2
Helldivers 2 was developed by Arrowhead Game Studios in Stockholm and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. It launched on February 8, 2024 for PlayStation 5 and Windows PC, later expanding to Xbox platforms. The game is a cooperative third-person squad shooter that pits players against overwhelming alien threats in a satirical intergalactic conflict, combining strategic team play with fast-paced combat and friendly-fire mechanics. It regularly updates with new “Warbonds” and seasonal content long after launch, helping sustain community engagement.
Commercially, Helldivers 2 was a surprise blockbuster. Within its first 12 weeks it sold over 12 million copies, becoming one of Sony’s fastest-selling titles and later surpassing 15–18 million sales worldwide, with strong performance across platforms including Xbox. The game debuted as one of the best-selling premium releases of its launch year and achieved extremely high concurrent player counts. Critically, it earned widespread recognition: Helldivers 2 won Best Multiplayer Game at The Game Awards 2024, took Game of the Year and multiple technical honors at the 2024 TIGA Awards, and was a major winner at the 28th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards, including Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition and Online Game of the Year nominations. It also received nominations and wins at the Golden Joystick Awards and BAFTA Games Awards, further cementing its status as one of the most successful cooperative shooters of this generation.
3. Battlefield 1
Battlefield 1 was developed by DICE (Digital Illusions Creative Entertainment) in Stockholm and published by Electronic Arts. It launched worldwide on October 21, 2016, as the fifteenth installment in the long-running Battlefield franchise and the first to be set in World War I, featuring horses, biplanes, early tanks, and large-scale multiplayer battles that emphasized historical warfare. The game runs on DICE’s Frostbite engine and was released on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, later arriving on other digital platforms including Steam in 2020.
Commercially, Battlefield 1 was a major success and became one of DICE’s biggest launches to date, with players logging 59 million hours of play within its first ten days. Early analyst estimates and financial tracking placed total sales at around 15 million copies, while some retrospective industry reports estimate over 21 million players across platforms, indicating strong long-term engagement.
Critically, the title was widely praised for its presentation and multiplayer design, earning nominations at The Game Awards 2016 for Best Multiplayer and other categories, and winning Outstanding Achievement in Sound Design at the 20th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards. Its multiplayer modes and immersive depiction of The Great War helped Battlefield 1 stand out in a crowded shooter market and remain one of Sweden’s most enduring contributions to the genre.
4. It Takes Two
It Takes Two was developed by Hazelight Studios in Stockholm and published by Electronic Arts under the EA Originals label. The game launched on March 26, 2021, across PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. It distinguishes itself with enforced two-player cooperative gameplay, meaning it cannot be played solo; one player needs a partner, either locally or online. The story focuses on a divorcing couple magically transformed into dolls, and its design constantly shifts mechanics to match narrative themes.
It Takes Two was one of the most successful original titles of its generation. Critical acclaim translated into commercial success, with the game selling over 20 million copies worldwide (an unusually high total for a strictly co-op experience) and approaching 27 million copies as of late 2025 according to industry tracking. The title won Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2021, as well as Best Multiplayer Game, and received multiple nominations at the BAFTA Games Awards (nine nominations including Best Game) and other major ceremonies, cementing its status as a landmark cooperative design.
5. Valheim
Valheim is a survival sandbox game developed by Iron Gate Studio in Skövde, Sweden and published by Coffee Stain Publishing. It launched in early access on February 2, 2021, initially on PC and later expanded to Xbox platforms as well, building a Viking-themed cooperative survival world with boss progression, crafting, and exploration mechanics that appealed to a broad audience.
The game became one of the fastest-selling indie titles in history. Less than a week after launch it had reached over 4 million copies sold, passed 5 million within its first month, and continued that momentum as it topped Steam charts. By April 2022 Valheim surpassed 10 million copies sold, and later disclosures showed the game had sold over 12 million copies worldwide, all while still being updated with new content.
Critically, Valheim earned overwhelmingly positive reception on Steam (96 % positive user reviews early on), and it was nominated at The Game Awards 2021 and won recognition such as Best Debut and Audience awards at the Game Developers Choice Awards, highlighting its impact as a breakout survival hit from a small Swedish development team.
6. Mirror’s Edge
Mirror’s Edge was developed by DICE in Stockholm and released in 2008 for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. It introduced first-person parkour movement as the core mechanic, emphasizing momentum, spatial awareness, and traversal over traditional gunplay.
The game stood out immediately for its clean, high-contrast art direction, minimal HUD, and sense of speed, which were deliberately designed to help players read the environment while moving quickly. Its visual style influenced later first-person games that prioritized clarity and motion.
While not a massive commercial hit at launch, Mirror’s Edge achieved long-term recognition as a cult classic. It won Outstanding Achievement in Visual Engineering at the 2009 D.I.C.E. Awards and was influential enough to justify a reboot, Mirror’s Edge Catalyst, released in 2016.
7. Crusader Kings III
Crusader Kings III was developed by Paradox Development Studio in Stockholm and released on September 1, 2020 for PC, later arriving on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on March 29, 2022. It blends grand strategy with character-driven role-playing, letting players manage dynasties, engage in marriages, wars, intrigue, and long-term story-driven campaigns across medieval history. Reviews praised its deep systems and accessibility improvements, with high critical scores and a very positive reception by players.
The game’s sales milestones reflect its long-term success: it reached 1 million copies sold shortly after launch, passed 2 million sales by March 2022, hit 3 million by September 2023, and exceeded 4 million copies sold worldwide by April 2025. It was nominated for Best Sim/Strategy Game at The Game Awards 2020, recognized by outlets such as PC Gamer as one of the best strategy titles of the year, and remains one of Paradox’s most commercially successful and enduring strategy releases.
8. Warhammer: Vermintide 2
Warhammer: Vermintide 2 was developed and published by Fatshark in Stockholm, releasing on March 8, 2018 for PC and later on consoles throughout 2018–2020. It is a cooperative first-person action game set in the Warhammer Fantasy universe, where up to four players battle hordes of Skaven, Chaos, and other enemies together with melee and ranged combat.
The game sold 500,000 copies in under a week after launch, reached 1 million copies in less than five weeks, and had sold over 2 million copies by the end of 2018. As of late 2025, Fatshark reports that over 25 million players have engaged with the title across free events and ownership.
Vermintide 2 received multiple nominations at the 2018 Golden Joystick Awards, including Best Co-operative Game, and was widely praised for its loot system, varied enemy design, and gameplay that evolved beyond its predecessor.
Remarkably, more than seven years after release, it continues to receive substantial free content updates and seasonal events, demonstrating enduring community support and Fatshark’s commitment to long-term live service.
9. Hotline Miami
Hotline Miami was developed by Dennaton Games, a small Swedish indie duo, and released in October 2012 on PC before expanding to PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo platforms. The game is a top-down action title known for its extreme violence, one-hit-kill combat, and surreal, fragmented storytelling.
It became a breakout indie hit almost immediately. By 2014, Hotline Miami had sold over 1.5 million copies, an enormous figure for a low-budget indie game at the time, and it played a major role in defining the early-2010s indie boom on PC and consoles.
The game won Best PC Game at the 2013 Golden Joystick Awards and received critical acclaim for its soundtrack, visual identity, and subversive narrative. Its electronic soundtrack, featuring artists like Perturbator and Carpenter Brut, also became influential far beyond the game itself.
Hotline Miami’s success directly led to Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number and helped establish Devolver Digital as a major indie publisher. Today, it is widely regarded as one of the most influential indie games of the 2010s.
10. ARC Raiders
ARC Raiders is a multiplayer extraction shooter developed and published by Embark Studios (Stockholm). It launched worldwide on October 30, 2025 for PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X/S, built on Unreal Engine 5 and blending PvPvE extraction gameplay with cooperative and competitive elements. Players form squads to scavenge, fight robotic enemies called ARCs, and extract loot within timed missions, with progression tied to gear, blueprints, and workshop upgrades.
The game was nominated and won Best Multiplayer Game at The Game Awards 2025, and also received honors such as Most Innovative Gameplay at The Steam Awards 2025 and Best Shooter in several year-end lists. It was long-listed for multiple categories at the 2026 D.I.C.E. Awards and BAFTA Games Awards, demonstrating strong critical recognition early in its lifecycle.
Commercially, ARC Raiders exceeded expectations. It sold over 4 million units shortly after launch and then surpassed 12 million copies sold worldwide by early 2026, with concurrent player peaks reported near one million across platforms and exceptional retention compared with similar titles.
Steam user reviews are “Very Positive” with high engagement, and the game features 50 achievements/trophies across platforms that encourage exploration, combat, and extraction mastery. Future planned updates and community events (such as “North Line” content patches and holiday events) have helped sustain the player base and support a long-term development roadmap. At Acer Corner we have a wide range of articles on Arc Raiders, if you're interested in expanding your in-game knowledge about the best guns in Arc Raiders or who the rescue raiders are please check out our articles!
Conclusion
Swedish game developers have had an outsized impact on modern gaming, delivering titles that are not only critically respected but commercially successful and technically demanding. From cooperative standouts like It Takes Two to large-scale experiences such as ARC Raiders, Helldivers 2, and Crusader Kings III, these games push systems through dense worlds, complex AI, and fast-paced action. They are designed to scale with better hardware, rewarding players who can maintain stable frame rates and high visual settings over long play sessions.
For players who want a reliable way to experience these games at their best, Acer’s Nitro and Predator gaming lines are built for exactly this kind of workload. Acer Nitro laptops strike a balance between performance and accessibility, making them a solid choice for players who want smooth gameplay across modern titles without stepping into ultra-premium pricing. Meanwhile, Acer Predator systems are aimed at enthusiasts who want maximum performance, higher refresh rates, and the thermal headroom needed for long sessions in demanding games.
Whether you are exploring post-apocalyptic battlefields, managing dynasties across centuries, or coordinating with friends in high-pressure co-op encounters, the combination of thoughtful game design and capable hardware matters. Acer Nitro and Predator systems are designed to keep up with the ambition of today’s best games and the studios behind them.
FAQ
Why does Sweden produce so many successful video games?
Sweden has a long-standing game development ecosystem supported by strong technical education, early broadband adoption, and government-backed creative grants. Many Swedish studios also benefit from experienced talent that has moved between AAA and indie projects, allowing knowledge to circulate across the industry.
Are these games mostly indie or AAA titles?
They are a mix of both. Games like Minecraft and It Takes Two began with small teams and grew into global hits, while titles such as Helldivers 2, Crusader Kings III, and ARC Raiders come from well-funded studios with AAA production values.
Which Swedish game has sold the most copies?
Minecraft, developed by Mojang in Stockholm, is the best-selling video game of all time, with over 300 million copies sold worldwide and a reported acquisition value of $2.5 billion when Microsoft purchased Mojang in 2014.
Do Swedish developers focus on a specific genre?
No. Swedish studios are unusually diverse. They have produced top-tier games in co-op action, grand strategy, extraction shooters, sandbox survival, rhythm-based action, and narrative-driven adventures, often setting benchmarks within each genre.
Are these games still actively supported?
Many of them are. Games like Crusader Kings III, Helldivers 2, Vermintide 2, and ARC Raiders continue to receive major updates, expansions, or live-service content well after launch.
Do you need a high-end gaming PC to play these games?
Some titles scale well on mid-range hardware, but many benefit from stronger systems, especially those with large environments, complex AI, or online multiplayer. Higher-performance hardware helps maintain smooth frame rates and consistent visual quality.
Why do so many Swedish games emphasize co-op or systemic gameplay?
Swedish developers often prioritize systems that encourage replayability, player interaction, and emergent gameplay. This design philosophy shows up in co-op-focused titles, strategy games with deep simulation, and sandbox experiences that allow players to shape outcomes rather than follow fixed scripts.
Are there more Swedish games worth mentioning beyond this list?
Yes. Notable honorable mentions include Payday 2, Cities: Skylines, Goat Simulator, Mirror’s Edge, and Valheim, all of which have had significant commercial or cultural impact.
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How to Check Your Laptop Specs in Windows 11
Knowing your laptop’s specs helps you understand what your system can actually do. Whether you are checking game requirements, diagnosing slow performance, or deciding if it is time for an upgrade, your hardware details are the first thing you should look at. If you are using Windows 11, you already have everything you need built in. No downloads or third-party tools are required.
This guide walks through the easiest and most reliable ways to check your laptop specs in Windows 11, starting with quick overviews and moving into more detailed options.
1. Use Settings for a quick system overview
This is the fastest way to see your core laptop specs.
Open Start, then Settings, select System, and click About.
Here you will find your processor model, installed RAM, system type, and Windows 11 version. This view is ideal for quick compatibility checks or confirming basic hardware, but it does not show detailed graphics or storage information.
2. Use Task Manager for CPU, GPU, and RAM details
Task Manager is the most useful tool for performance-related specs.
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, then switch to the Performance tab.
From here, you can click through each component:
* CPU shows your processor name, core count, and clock speed
* Memory shows total RAM, speed, and usage
* GPU shows your graphics card model and video memory
* Disk shows whether you are using an SSD or HDD
If you care about gaming, content creation, or system responsiveness, this is the most important screen to check.
3. Use DirectX Diagnostic Tool for graphics details
If you want precise graphics information, including driver versions, use DirectX Diagnostic Tool.
Press Windows + R, type dxdiag, and press Enter.
* The System tab lists your CPU and memory.
* The Display tab shows your GPU model, driver version, and VRAM.
This tool is especially helpful when troubleshooting games or graphics-related issues.
4. Use System Information for full hardware specs
For a complete hardware breakdown in one place, use System Information.
Press Windows + R, type msinfo32, and press Enter.
This window shows:
* Processor and motherboard details
* Installed memory
* BIOS version
* Storage devices and connected hardware
This is the best option if you need detailed specs for support, upgrades, or advanced troubleshooting.
The laptop specs that matter most in Windows 11
If you do not want to dig through everything, focus on these four components:
* The CPU determines overall speed and multitasking ability.
* The RAM affects how smoothly apps run and how many you can keep open.
* The GPU is critical for gaming, creative work, and video playback.
* The storage type matters more than capacity. SSDs are dramatically faster than HDDs.
These four specs explain most performance differences between laptops.
When should you check your laptop specs?
You should check your specs if Windows 11 feels slow, a game or app will not run properly, you are installing new software, or you are considering a new laptop. Knowing what you have makes it much easier to decide whether to optimize your system or replace it.
Conclusion
Windows 11 makes it easy to check your laptop specs once you know where to look. For quick answers, the Settings app is enough. For performance and gaming details, Task Manager and DirectX Diagnostic Tool give you deeper insight. For full technical information, System Information shows everything in one place.
Spending a few minutes checking your specs can save hours of frustration later and helps you make smarter decisions about upgrades, software, and performance expectations.
FAQ
How do I quickly check my laptop specs in Windows 11?
The fastest way is to open Settings, go to System, and select About. This shows your CPU, installed RAM, system type, and Windows 11 version in one place.
Where can I find my graphics card information in Windows 11?
Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc, then go to the Performance tab and select GPU. You can also type dxdiag into the Run dialog for detailed graphics and driver information.
How do I know if my laptop has an SSD or an HDD?
Open Task Manager, select the Performance tab, and click Disk. Windows 11 will clearly label the drive as an SSD or HDD.
What specs should I check before installing a game or app?
Focus on your CPU, RAM, GPU, and storage type. These four components determine whether software will run smoothly or at all.
Why does my laptop feel slow even if the specs look fine?
Performance issues can come from background apps, limited RAM, thermal throttling, or slow storage. Checking Task Manager’s usage graphs can help identify the bottleneck.
Do I need third-party software to check laptop specs?
No. Windows 11 includes everything you need through Settings, Task Manager, DirectX Diagnostic Tool, and System Information.
What information should I write down or screenshot?
At minimum, note your CPU model, total RAM, GPU name, and storage type. This is usually enough for support, upgrades, or compatibility checks.
How often should I check my laptop specs?
You typically only need to check them when installing new software, troubleshooting performance issues, or considering an upgrade or replacement.
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Smarter Teaching Starts with Acer Chromebook Plus
Teaching today involves far more than delivering lessons. Educators are planning content, managing digital classrooms, communicating with parents, and supporting diverse learning needs - often all at once. The tools they rely on need to keep pace without adding complexity.
Chromebook Plus is designed to support this reality. Built for productivity, learning, and creativity, it offers a more capable Chromebook experience for educators and students who need stronger performance and smarter tools throughout the school day. With enhanced hardware and integrated features built into ChromeOS, Chromebook Plus helps streamline everyday tasks so teachers can stay focused on teaching.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLb5w-UxCUc
What Is Chromebook Plus?
In case you’re unfamiliar, Chromebook Plus isn’t just a singular device - it’s a whole category of Chromebooks built to a higher standard. Chromebook Plus models are designed for users who need more power and flexibility than a traditional Chromebook typically offers, making them well suited for modern classrooms and academic workloads.
Compared to standard Chromebooks, Chromebook Plus models are billed to feature double the processing power, double the memory, and double the storage - not to mention upgraded displays and webcams. This strong hardware foundation allows Chromebook Plus devices to be primed to support more demanding teaching and learning workflows, while setting the stage for smarter software experiences and advanced tools that are built directly into ChromeOS.
A Smarter ChromeOS Experience for Education
On Chromebook Plus, everything down to the operating system is designed to support the pace and multitasking demands of teaching and learning. Combined with the aforementioned stronger performance under the hood, nearly everything that teachers might use their laptops for, such as switching between lesson plans, student submissions, and presentations, feels smoother and more responsive throughout the school day.
On top of this, built-in tools within ChromeOS also help simplify common classroom tasks. Features like Select to Search with Google Lens allow educators to quickly explore or verify content directly from images and on-screen materials, while Text Capture makes it easier to quickly grab and utilize information from PDFs, scans, or photos when preparing worksheets or slides. Live Translate supports multilingual classrooms by helping break down language barriers in real time, and Google Tasks integration helps teachers and students stay organized without leaving their workflows.
Together, these improvements turn Chromebook Plus laptops and ChromeOS into more than just a standard laptop or operating system - they become a practical teaching companion that reduces friction, helps keep materials connected and accessible, and allows educators to focus more on instruction and engagement rather than getting bogged down in device management.
The Built-In AI Advantage with Gemini
Teaching often means balancing lesson planning, content review, and communication - while also adapting materials for different learning levels. On Chromebook Plus, AI support is built directly into these everyday workflows through Gemini, helping educators work more efficiently without stepping outside the tools they already use.
Rather than functioning as a separate app or add-on, though, Gemini is integrated into ChromeOS - while also extending seamlessly into Google Workspace. This means AI assistance is available across familiar tools like Docs, Slides, Gmail, Drive, and Classroom - where much of a teacher’s planning and communication already happens. Whether drafting lesson outlines, refining instructions, summarizing reference materials, or preparing presentations, educators can access Gemini-powered support directly within their existing workspace.
Further, with features like Help Me Read, teachers can highlight articles, reference materials, or dense documents and instantly summarize or simplify them - useful for quickly reviewing sources or adjusting reading levels for different classes. On the flip side, Help Me Write supports drafting lesson outlines, classroom instructions, or parental communications by helping either generate, refine, or rephrase text while keeping educators in control of the final content.
Chromebook Plus also introduces more intuitive ways to bring AI into daily workflows. The Quick Insert key makes it easier to generate content directly where it’s needed, whether that’s inside a slide, document, or worksheet. And for lesson planning or research-heavy preparation, NotebookLM helps turn uploaded teaching materials into structured summaries, discussion prompts, or study questions, allowing educators to focus on their own trusted sources rather than the open web.
Taken together, these AI capabilities are meant to simplify workflows without adding complexity. Gemini on Chromebook Plus acts as a practical assistant, helping teachers prepare faster, adapt content more effectively, and support a wider range of learners.
Creativity and Personalization for Teaching Materials
Teaching isn’t only about writing lesson plans - it’s also about how ideas are presented. Chromebook Plus includes built-in creative tools that help educators quickly adapt visual materials to match their teaching goals, without relying on external editing software.
With the Magic Editor in Google Photos, teachers can easily adjust and refine images used in slides, worksheets, or classroom activities. Simple edits, such as removing distractions, reframing visuals, or highlighting key elements, make it that much easier to tailor content for different subjects or age groups.
Chromebook Plus also streamlines how visual elements are added during lesson creation. The previously mentioned Quick Insert key also allows teachers to generate or place images directly into documents and presentations, making it easier to build engaging materials on the fly - especially when adapting lessons or responding to student needs.
A Chromebook Built for Teaching
Chromebook Plus is designed to support teaching as it exists today - not as a single feature or AI add-on, but as a more capable Chromebook experience built for education. With its stronger performance, smarter ChromeOS tools, and integrated Google AI, it brings together the essentials teachers rely on throughout the school day.
Acer helps deliver this experience through its extensive Chromebook Plus portfolio, offering educators a broad range of devices designed to meet different classroom needs and teaching styles. From compact 14-inch models to immersive 16-inch displays, Acer Chromebook Plus devices combine fast processors, premium displays, and durable, thoughtfully designed chassis that gives schools and teachers the flexibility to choose the right tool for their environment.
The Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 in particular stands out as a strong option for teachers. Its 14-inch touchscreen display, fast performance, and flexible convertible design make it well suited for lesson planning, presenting, and everyday classroom use. Backed by military-grade durability (MIL-STD-810H), it’s designed to handle the demands of daily teaching while maintaining a sleek, modern form factor that fits both classroom and professional settings.
Together, Acer Chromebook Plus devices offer a practical foundation for digital-first teaching - combining performance, durability, and built-in intelligence in devices designed to keep pace with modern education workflows.
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