Game development has continued to make significant strides despite the well documented financial downturn in 2008. In an effort to showcase this, the Swedish Games Industry has compiled the annual accounts of 104 Swedish joint stock companies. The report while indicating a notable increase in turnover also shows a spike in staff recruitment which experienced a 17% jump to 1353 employees.

Commenting on the figures, Per Strömbäck spokesperson for the Swedish Games Industry said, "The big developers solidified their international standing last year, which is made apparent by foreign investment in the form of acquisitions and an increasing development budget."

Apart from the big players, a lot of many small developers chalked up positive results, with a sizeable percentage of the 104 companies reviewed, accounting for positive results. Of which, specialized distributors of graphics, technology and project management can be found.

"It's clear that the breadth and scope has increased," Martin Lindell, an analyst at the Swedish Games Industry highlighted. We are seeing fewer players seek out new niches within the likes of mobile gaming, digital distribution and web based games.

The report is based on a compilation of annual reports of game development companies, with the game developer's index for 2008 recording the activities of 104 companies, which is an increase from 91 in 2007.

The report can be downloaded from: /media/83300/dsb_gamedevindex08.pdf