Building cohesion and strengthening the community is crucial for the game development industry in Skövde to continue to grow. This is the opinion of Tau Petersson, Skövde resident of the year 2024, who has been a central figure in the city's game development scene for decades.

- We see it strengthening our local community. Many of the companies are small, but with the right support they can grow. We are stronger together," says Tau Petersson.

She is one of the founders of Stunlock Studios, the company behind the hit game V Rising, and has over the years been an important voice in raising the importance of game development in Skövde.

From student to gaming entrepreneur in Skövde

Tau grew up in Norrköping and had games as a natural part of her childhood, largely thanks to her older brothers and a father who bought her a computer early on. When a friend was about to start studying game development in Skövde, she became aware of the possibility of making a career out of her interest.

While studying 3D graphics at the University of Skövde, she met other like-minded people, and together they created the game Bloodline Champions which won several awards at the Swedish Game Awards. This was the starting point for Stunlock Studios, a company that started in Science Park Skövde and has since grown into a stable game development studio with over 40 employees.

- Stunlock has had its ups and downs, but with V Rising we have a stability we have never seen before. It feels great that we now have a secure foundation to stand on, especially in an industry that can be very turbulent," she says.

A driving force for Skövde's gaming industry

In addition to his role at Stunlock Studios, Tau Petersson works part-time as a destination developer for the gaming industry at Next Skövde. Her work is about creating conditions for gambling companies to establish themselves, but also to make gambling culture visible in the city.

- Skövde has seen the potential in game development and invested in it. That's what allows me to have the most fun job in the world now.

She has been involved in starting Sweden Game Arena, a platform to strengthen Skövde as a game development location, and Sweden Game Conference, one of Europe's leading conferences for game developers.

An important part of the work is to create meeting places for the industry. With initiatives such as game developer pubs and "Play my Game" events, where players and developers can test new games, a community is built that attracts more people to stay in Skövde.

- Many people who start companies here are young and come straight from university. Skövde may not be the most exciting place for those aged 20 to 25, but we are working to create an environment where they want to stay.

An industry that is visible in Skövde

Today, the gaming industry in Skövde employs nearly 1 000 people, including students and teachers. To make the industry more visible in the public space, Tau Petersson has been a driving force behind initiatives such as the Walk of Game, where games created in Skövde are highlighted on the streets.

- It turned out fantastically well, and I hope it lasts forever. We want the people of Skövde to understand how spectacular this actually is.

Despite her intense work, she sometimes finds time to play herself, and when not V Rising that are being tested are construction games.

- I like games where you build things, like creating a hospital. But right now it's mostly gardening at our vacation home," she says, laughing.

For Tau Petersson, it's all about creating context - both in games and in real life.

- I love creating places where people can meet. When you see how much it means to others, you know you're doing something important.

Here you can read more about the gambling industry in Skövde >>