We’ve invested in the Swedish gaming catalyst Mind Detonator

Building the next generation of gaming developers in rural areas

You may know us as the developers who brought you Magicka, Gauntlet, and Helldivers.. but did you know our studio was born in Skellefteå, a small town in northern Sweden? We fondly remember our roots and we’re excited to pay it forward for the next generation of developers. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce that we’ve invested in the company Mind Detonator, a development incubator devoted to capturing talent at a very early stage and building the next generation of gaming developers far from the big cities.

Our very own CEO Johan says, “Mind Detonator is a fantastic initiative that gives us a chance to give back and create an opportunity for more people to be part of a journey equally as fantastic as our own. I really wish there was something similar when we started our business.”

Johan Pilestedt, CEO and founder of Arrowhead

Mind Detonator is a unique investment in gaming companies in the early stages. It is a combination of local support, local investors and international gaming developers that help each other to create the best conditions for game developers to succeed.

Quality of life and full focus on the game

Mind Detonator hopes to open Game Villages in different countries’ rural areas and offer financing for developer teams, starting in the Nordic region. They offer opportunities for teams to build their games full time, without traditional incubator requirements to learn how to run a business at the same time. With Mind Detonator, the entire working day can be spent creating the game – and in their spare time, teams can recharge and find new energy in the Arctic environment.

“Mind Detonator breaks new ground. In our work to build the Arctic Game Lab, we have looked a lot at incubators and other initiatives to promote growth among gaming developers and come up with our unique solution. We and our partners have found a way forward where the teams we bring in receive basic funding that gives them development time during a full year, housing, studio and the possibility of additional financing after one year combined with the fact that during this time we also take functions in the teams. We believe that this, combined with our and Arrowhead’s network, can lead to game productions that find their audience.” says Lars Lindblom, CEO and founder of Mind Detonator.

Lars Lindblom, CEO and founder of Mind Detonator

In October 2021, their first Game Village in the city of Jörn in northern Sweden will open. Five teams with up to five people each will start their game development journey; it is still possible to apply. In the long run, Mind Detonator aims to open more Game Villages, in other countries, and make at least 15 investments per year.

“Our first step will be to bring in talent and teams from the Nordics to validate the concept, and second step will be to aim for more Game Villages in more countries to be able to help international gaming teams regardless of country,” says gaming veteran Michael Stenmark who is now actively scouting talent for Mind Detonator’s first investments.

We’re very excited to have this opportunity to support the next generation of game developers! Pitches to Mind Detonator open later this year. For more information, stay tuned over at minddetonator.com.