Computer games

Computer games are a rapidly developing cultural phenomenon. The Nordic Council of Ministers was the initiator of the Nordic Game Programme, the mission of which is to assure access to quality material with a distinct Nordic element in computer games for children and young people. Initial measures are focused on the general benefice, such as joint sales and export efforts, digital distribution, consumer and producer information as well as expert assistance. Direct development support will be initiated for specific Nordic projects demonstrating high creativity, quality and commercial potential. The Programme was launched in 2006. It is divided into two three-year phases with progress reviews scheduled between the phases. The programme will be terminated in 2011-2012.

Nordic touch
The most important criteria that determine whether a computer game can be considered to be Nordic are:
• the game is released in at least one of the Nordic languages,
• the game is released in one of the Nordic countries,
• the game is produced by a company under Nordic control,
• the game is based on new or older Nordic intellectual property rights to computer games, films, literary works etc.

Protection of children and young people
In the programme, special consideration is taken to the protection of minors from harmful media content. An important goal of the programme is to offer support to children, young people and their parents, and to provide them with an adequate supply of quality material through controlled channels.
Nordic Game Program Plan 2006-2012
nordicgame.net

Funded Games
The games which have received development support through the Nordic Game Program.

The Adventurous Life of Hans Christian Andersen
The Adventurous Life of Hans Christian Andersen has been developed by the Danish company Guppyworks with developer support from the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Game Programme. www.guppyworks.com