Full Breakdown
Arc Raiders Crowned Nordic Game of the Year at 18th Nordic Game Awards
5/29/2026, 11:25:37 AM
The Award Night: Arc Raiders Crowned Nordic Game of the Year
On 28 May 2024, the 18th Nordic Game Awards were held at the Nordic Game conference in Malmö, Sweden. Embark Studios’ extraction-shooter Arc Raiders received the top honor, Nordic Game of the Year, alongside wins for Best Technology and Best Audio.
Background & Context of the Nordic Game Awards
The Nordic Game Awards, now in their eighteenth edition, recognize games developed in the Nordic territories. The ceremony is part of the annual Nordic Game conference, which gathers developers, publishers, and media from across the region.
Key Figures & Organizations
- Patrick Söderlund, head of Embark Studios, discussed the game’s development budget.
- Jacob Riis, conference organiser, presented legendary status to audio designer Ari Pulkkinen, recently audio lead for *Saros*.
- Magnus Bruun, Danish actor known for voicing Eivor in *Assassin’s Creed Valhalla*, hosted the event.
- Other studios mentioned include Discounty, Lego Voyagers, and Artdock Games (creator of People’s Choice winner *Lootbound*).
Data & Statistics
- Nominees for Nordic Game of the Year: *Arc Raiders*, *Battlefield 6*, *Dune: Awakening*, *Split Fiction*, *My Winter Car*.
- *Arc Raiders* also secured Best Technology and Best Audio.
- *Split Fiction* won Best Game Design; *Discounty* earned Best Debut; *Lego Voyagers* won Best Fun for Everyone.
- People’s Choice Award went to *Lootbound* (Artdock Games, Moldova).
- Swedish studios captured five of seven awards; Danish studios won the remaining two.
Why It Matters: Industry Impact and Budget Efficiency
*Arc Raiders*’ success highlights the competitive strength of Swedish developers within the Nordic ecosystem. Söderlund noted that the title was produced on a fraction of a typical AAA budget, underscoring a growing emphasis on cost-effective production without sacrificing technical or audio quality. The multiple wins for technology and audio suggest that smaller-budget projects can achieve parity with larger franchises in critical development areas. The ceremony recognized excellence across categories including technology, audio, game design, debut and fun-for-everyone awards.
Official Statements & Responses
Patrick Söderlund emphasized the game’s modest budget relative to AAA standards, framing the achievement as evidence of efficient resource use. Jacob Riis publicly honored Ari Pulkkinen with legendary status, acknowledging his contributions to the region’s audio design heritage. Bruun’s hosting, known for voicing Eivor, linked indie success to mainstream gaming culture.
On-the-Ground Reports
Mid-ceremony, a Ukrainian Intermezzo tribute honored Ukrainian studios, prompting a standing ovation from attendees. The ovation lasted several seconds, reflecting respect for Ukrainian creators and broader community solidarity.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Both source articles present identical details regarding winners, nominees, and statements; no discrepancies were identified. No additional information on future award cycles or post-event reactions was provided.
Verbatim Quotes
- “a quarter of the budget” — Patrick Söderlund, Head of Embark Studios
- “legendary” — Jacob Riis, Conference Organizer (conferred on Ari Pulkkinen)
- “Ukrainian Intermezzo” — Event program description
