Video games in the Czech Republic explained

The video game industry in the Czech Republic has produced numerous globally successful video games such as and the subsequent ArmA series, the Mafia series, Truck Simulator series, the series, the Samorost series and others. There were 300–400 video game developers and around 30 video game companies focusing on video game development in 2014. In 2017 it was 1,100 developers and 47 companies.[1] Video games are also considered by some experts to be the country's biggest cultural export.[2] The video game industry did not enjoy a good reputation and was unsupported by the state until 2013, when the Ministry of Industry and Trade started to seek ways to kickstart the economy. By 2014, programs were planned to support the video game industry. Another problem is a lack of video game development specialization at any university.[3] [4] [5] [6] [7]

In 2014, Czech video game site Bonusweb made a survey for the best video game developed in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The victor of the survey is that received 3866 votes out of 13,143. was second and Vietcong third.[8] In 2019, Games.cz made a list of the 15 best video games developed in the Czech Republic. It was also topped by Mafia: City of Lost Heaven.[9]

History

See also: List of video games developed in the Czech Republic. The first games were developed in Czechoslovakia during the late 1970s as part of experimentation with Czechoslovak computers SM 52/11 (minicomputer version of PDP-11). These titles lacked graphics and were not meant for wider distribution.[10] Card games were particularly popular. Card games were played through printer due to lack of displays. There were also games based on chances such as electronical version of Rock–paper–scissors. Some games were competitive such as Dělostřelba (Cannonade) in which player had to count the trajectory of his cannon shot to hit his rival. Some games were developed on universities. Some universities taught programming at the time. Games at universities included Chess and Plivátko. The first real-time game was Přistání na měsíci (Landing on the Moon). One of the first games for character displays was Zombíci (Zombies). Players had to run for zombies and stay alive as long as possible.[11]

In the 1980s, the first graphic video games development in the country were mostly part of the Svazarm clubs.[12] The most popular video game platform of the time were ZX Spectrum, Czechoslovak computer PMD 85 and Atari 8-bit computers (mainly Atari 800XE).[12] [13] Hobbyists could come explore computing and teach themselves programming. Games developed by members of these clubs include Hlípa and Flappy. Text adventures were very popular, accounting for more than half of the total output of Czechoslovak programmers. Czechs produced games for these platforms even in 1990s when were outdated. After 1989, the market changed, improving opportunities for programmers and gamers alike.

In the 90's, the most known Czech video games are of the adventure type. During this period, the company Vochozka Trading was established, which first distributed games for Amiga computers, such as Světák Bob. The game was not successful; however, in 1994 Vochozka Trading released the first Czech commercial games for PC, two adventure titles – Tajemství Oslího ostrova (Donkey Island) and 7 dní a 7 nocí (Seven Days and Seven Nights). Both were developed by Pterodon and widely regarded as successes. This was followed by adventures like Dračí Historie (Dragon History, the first Czech dubbed game on CD, 1995), Gooka (the first Czech game on Windows, 1997), Horké léto (Hot Summer, 1997) and (1999). Games released in the 1990s also include real-time strategy game Paranoia (1995) and RPG Brány Skeldalu (Gates of Skeldal, 1998). Among the most widespread Czech logical DOS games were also Vlak (Train, 1993), Achtung, die Kurve! (1995) and Boovie (1998). The game Polda was released in 1998, this was the beginning of the most popular Czech adventure series.

The first internationally successful Czech game was Hidden & Dangerous by Illusion Softworks, a third person action game released in 1999.[14] [15] [16] [17] More notable games by Illusion Softworks include Flying Heroes (2000), (2002) and Vietcong (2003). In 2008 American publisher Take-Two Interactive acquired Illusion Softworks and renamed it to 2K Czech. The dark adventure Black Mirror from 2003 was a great success abroad, but two more sequels have already been made in Germany.

Bohemia Interactive became the most successful Czech developer with its worldwide bestseller[18] and the series of ARMA games, first released in 2006. The success of Bohemia Interactive is regarded as having overshadowed other independent development studios.[16] [19] [20]

Czech development studios such as Amanita Design along with their Machinarium from 2009, Altar Games with its Original War and UFO series and SCS Software with its Euro Truck Simulator were established in these years.

In July 2011, several people formerly of 2K Czech and Bohemia Interactive opened Warhorse Studios, which produced (2018).

Consumer availability

The video game market in the Czech Republic is currently growing, with a spend of 2.202 billion Czech koruna (CZK) across both the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 2011.[21] The corresponding total for 2012 was 2.436 billion CZK, a growth of 10.6%.[22] Purchased video games made up one third of this amount.

The most popular genres among Czech players are action and sports games. The growth of the market is expected with next-generation consoles such as the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One.[22] [23]

Video game associations

Czech Games is a community of video game developers in the Czech Republic. It was established in 2001 and since then it has supported video game development beginners. It has its own phorum where developers can share its experience and show their work. The association also organizes Game Developers Session and GAMEDAY Festival.[24]

Video Game Industry Association of the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic exists to promote video games in the two named countries. Video game developers, publishers, importers and distributors all belong to the organization. The association also organizes the BOOOM Contest.[25]

MU Game Studies is an association composed of Masaryk University students and graduates. It aims to improveand support video game education at Czech universities.[26] [27]

Education

Some Czech universities offer programs of study related to video games. These universities are Masaryk University in Brno, Charles University in Prague, University of West Bohemia in Plzeň, Czech Technical University in Prague and Academy of Performing Arts in Prague.[28]

Video game companies from the Czech Republic

CompanyLocationFoundedType
1C Publishing EU[29] [30]
(Now Fulqrum Games)
Prague2002Video game publisher
2 Stupid DevsCzech2020Video game developer and publisher
2K CzechBrno1997Video Game Developer
About Fun[31] Prague2011Mobile game developer
Alda Games[32] Brno2013Mobile game developer
Allodium Games[33] Prague2007Online game developer
Amanita DesignBrno2001Video game developer
Ashborne GamesBrno2020Video game developer
BadFly InteractiveUherské Hradiště2014Video game developer
BeerDeer GamesPrague2011Video game developer
Blue Brain GamesPrague2016Video game developer
Bohemia InteractivePrague1999Video game developer and publisher
Boomer Games s.r.o.Prostějov2021Video game developer and publisher
CBE SoftwareBrno2010Video game developer
Cenega CzechPrague1988[34] Video game publisher
Centauri ProductionPrague2000Video game developer
CGE DigitalPrague2014Mobile game developer
Charged MonkeyPrague2014Mobile game developer
Charles GamesPrague2017Video game developer and publisher
Chaos Concept2002Video game developer
CinemaxPrague1997Video game developer and publisher
Computer Games Distribution[35] Prague2002Video game publisher
ConQuest Entertainment[36] Prague1990Video game publisher
Craneballs StudioOstrava2008Video game developer and publisher
Digital Life ProductionsHradec Králové2009[37] Video game developer
Dreadlocks LtdPrague2011Video game developer
Electronic Arts Czech Republic[38] Prague2001[39] Video game publisher
Fineway StudiosBrno2004[40] Video game developer
Fiolasoft Studio[41] Prague2002Video game developer, audiovisual production, graphics, web, marketing
Flow Studio[42] Prague2011Video game developer
Gamajun GamesBrno2012Mobile game developer
gamifi.cc[43] Brno2007Video game developer
GeewaPrague2005Mobile game developer
GoldKnightsPrague2015Video game developer
Grip GamesPrague2010Video game developer and publisher
HangonitBrno2012Video game developer
HexagePrague2009Video game developer
Honestly Games LimitedPrague2019Video game developer
Hyperbolic Magnetism[44] Prague2010Video game developer
Icarus Games[45] Brno2011Video game developer
inDev BrainBrno[46] 2013Video game developer
INGAME STUDIOSBrno2020Video game developer
JRC InteractivePrague[47] 1988Video game distributor. Former publisher (1988-1999), dev & localizer.
Keen Software HousePrague2010Video game developer
Kubat SoftwareCzech2011Video game, app & web developer
KUBI GamesBrno2013Video game developer and publisher
Latest PastOstrava2021Video game developer
Lukáš Navrátil GamesZnojmo2013Video game developer
Madfinger GamesBrno2010Video game developer and publisher (Mostly mobile & online)
McMagic ProductionsPrague2012Video game developer and publisher
Microsoft Česká Republika[48] Prague2006 (video game division)Video game publisher
Mingle Games[49] Prague2012Video game developer
Nepos GamesPrague2019Video game developer
Neronian StudiosPrague2023Video game developer and publisher
Oxymoron GamesPrague2017Video game developer and publisher
Paper Bunker s.r.o.Ostrava2014Video game developer and publisher (Mobile, core & VR)
PaperashBrno2014Video game developer
Perun CreativeOstrava2017Video game developer and publisher
PlayitoPrague2012Mobile game developer
Playman[50] Hradec Králové2001Video game publisher
Purple NebulaCzech2017Video game developer
Rake in GrassPrague2000Video game developer
Rocking ToyPrague2022Video game developer and publisher
Running PillowBrno2009Video game developer
SCS SoftwarePrague1997Video game developer
Silver Eye StudiosPrague2023Video game developer and publisher
SleepTeam s.r.o.
(See CS wiki)
Prague1996Video game publisher and developer
Sony Czech[51] Prague1993Video game Publisher
Soulbound GamesZlín2013Video game Developer
T19 GamesCzech2021Video game developer
Team 21Prague2012Video game developer
Touch OrchestraBrno2015Video game developer
Trickster ArtsBrno2012Video game developer and publisher
Valdabro GamesLiberec2015Video game developer
Vicious MimeOlomouc2013Video game developer
Volcanoid s.r.o.Prague2017Video game developer and publisher
Warhorse StudiosPrague2011Video game developer
Wube Software[52] Prague2014Video game developer
Zima SoftwarePrague1995Video game developer

Defunct video game companies

CompanyFoundedDissolvedNotes
7FX s.r.o.19992010Developer.
Altar Games
(CS wiki)
19972010Developer & former publisher.
Black Element Software20002010Developer. Acquired by Bohemia Interactive.
Bone Artz20042007Developer & publisher.
Disney Mobile Prague Studio2005[53] 2014[54] Developer. Former co-dev & porting.
eeGon Games20122013Mobile game developer. Inactive. Website down in 2014.
Fun 2 Robots20132016Czech office of Slovak developer.
Future Games19962011Developer. Former publisher & distributor.
Hammerware, s.r.o.20052017 (Inactive afterwards)Developer & publisher.
Mindware Studios20022011Developer.
Napoleon Games[55] 19942016Developer. Inactive. Website down after 2021.[56]
NoSense19941997Developer.
Phoenix Arts (game company)19941998Developer. Former publisher.
Plastic Reality Technologies20002006Developer. Closed. Staff moved to Illusion Softworks.
Pterodon (Ex-Pterodon Software in 1993-1995)19932006Developer.
Unknown Identity19962005Developer. Staff moved into Future Games, & Unknown Identity's name use ceased.
Silicon Jelly s.r.o.20112017Developer & publisher (mobile-focused).
Slightly Mad Studios (Prague)20082017Developer.
Vatra Games20092012Developer.
Vochozka Trading
(CS wiki)
19932008Publisher & distributor.

Appearance of the Czech Republic in video games

The country has been featured in numerous games written by Czech developers, such as Euro Truck Simulator, Euro Truck Simulator 2 and .

Command & Conquer takes place in Central Europe and some missions occur within the country's borders.[57] The country was also the inspiration for fictional countries featured in and ARMA 2.

In, a fictionalised uprising occurs in Prague. The city also features in a mission from .

In Forza Motorsport 5, one of the tracks available to play was based in Prague.

In, the title character is sent to save kidnapped Czech scientist Dr. Kio Marv. One part of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, occurred in Prague-inspired city with Czech signs and Vltava-inspired Volta River.One character, Smoke (real name Tomas Vrbada), in Mortal Kombat is also Czech originating from Prague.

In, a huge part of the story takes place in cyberpunk Prague, where the mix of modern architecture and historical building is very apparent from each other.

As part of Czechoslovakia

There are some missions in Contract J.A.C.K. that are set in Czechoslovakia. The former state also appears in the game Hidden & Dangerous.

World of Tanks released Plzeň map in December 2015. This update also features Czechoslovak Tanks.[58]

Video game events in the Czech Republic

Game Developers Session is a game development conference that has been held annually since 2003. Video Game Culture figures including Developers have Presentation there about Video Gaming and players can meet Video Game developers for Chat about their project. They can also sometimes try video games that are in development.

Game Access is a game development conference that has been first held in Brno in 2010. Since 2016, Game Access is held annually. It includes speeches of developers from all around the world, Indie Expo where all its participants compete for Game Access Awards, Business Expo and networking events. Since 2017, the organizers included workshops in the Game Access conference.[59] [60] [61]

GameFFest is a Game Festival held in Prague. Video Game Players can try Video Games for various Platforms and look around a Video Game history Museum. The Festival is a Part of PragoFFest.[62]

The GAMEDAY Festival has been held every May in Třeboň since 2010, part of Anifilm Třeboň. .[63]

The Czech Game of the Year Awards are annual awards that recognize accomplishments in video game development.Awards were part of Gameday Festival until became independent in 2017.[64]

The Booom Contest was held annually from 2011 to 2013. Prizes were awarded in various categories, including Game of the Year, Best Czech Video Game and Computer Game of the Year.[65] It was replaced by Player's Awards for next years.[66]

The Central and Eastern European Game Studies conference is held in Brno as an event designed to allow the discussion of video gaming by academics, journalists, developers and members of the public. It is organized by the Game Studies civic association.[67]

Game Jam Prague is annually held in January as part of almost 200 Game Jams over the World.

Game Brew Plzeň is a meeting of video game developers, graphic designers and business enthusiasts. It has been held in Plzeň since 2015.[68]

Gamer Pie is a video game festival held in Brno.[69]

Media

Print Media

MagazinePublisherSince
LeveLNaked Dog1995
ScoreOmega Publishing Group1994

Defunct print media

MagazineSinceEnded
Excalibur19912001
Game4U20002006
GameStar19992006
Klan19962000

Czech TV programs about video games

Programs

TitleChannelSince
IndianTV Relax2008
Re-PlayPrima Cool2009
Game PageYouTube2013

Programs no longer broadcast

TitleChannelSinceEnded
Game PageČeská televize19992012
Games TVStream.cz20142016
Hrajeme s AlimPrima Cool20152016

Notable people in the Czech gaming industry

See also

Online media

External links

Notes and References

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  2. News: Doskocil. Jan. Podle výzkumníka Univerzity Karlovy jsou hry naším největším kulturním exportem. Eurogamer.cz. 4 March 2014. 20 April 2014.
  3. Web site: České hry na počítač (PC) . Mujsoubor.cz . 30 January 2014 . 23 February 2014.
  4. Web site: České hry na mobil a tablety . Mujsoubor.cz . 3 February 2014 . 23 February 2014.
  5. Web site: Kreativní Česko – Další článek od Michaely Svobodové z MF... | Facebook . Cs-cz.facebook.com . 23 February 2014.
  6. Web site: Herni prumysl . Mediadeskcz.eu . 23 February 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20101122032835/http://www.mediadeskcz.eu/uploaded/20101008014704-hry.pdf . 22 November 2010 .
  7. Web site: Podpoří stát herní průmysl?.
  8. Web site: Nejlepší česko-slovenská hra? Že neuhádnete, kdo na plné čáře vyhrál. Bonusweb. 4 December 2014. 4 December 2014.
  9. Web site: Redakční anketa: 15 nejlepších českých her . Games.cz . 18 September 2019 . cs.
  10. Web site: Halcin. Jakub. Příběh počítače (4. díl). Galaxie.name. 4 August 2014.
  11. Bébr. Richard. Cesta do pravěku. Click. 1 July 2005. 13 February 2017.
  12. Web site: Švelch. Jaroslav. Vítejte v klubu – Kde se v normalizačním Československu scházeli počítačoví nadšenci?. Games.cz. 20 April 2014.
  13. Web site: Pros. Marek. Videohry jsou největší kulturní export Česka, tvrdí odborník. Aktualne.cz. 4 March 2014. 20 April 2014.
  14. Web site: České hry.wz.cz - Hrej! : Česká herní scéna. 20 April 2014. 3 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303215621/http://ceskehry.wz.cz/historie/hrej.htm. dead.
  15. Web site: Zach. Ondřej. České logické a akční hry. Bonusweb. 21 September 1999. 20 April 2014.
  16. Web site: Archived copy . 23 February 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20101122032835/http://www.mediadeskcz.eu/uploaded/20101008014704-hry.pdf . 22 November 2010 .
  17. Web site: Zach. Ondřej. České RPG – díl 2. Bonusweb. 9 September 1999. 20 April 2014.
  18. Web site: Bestsellers – Operation Flashpoint . BoardGameGeek . 15 February 2019.
  19. Web site: P.. Štěpán. Mafia II a český herní průmysl (1. díl). 20 April 2014.
  20. Web site: České hry byly na vrcholu před deseti lety. Nyní přinejlepším stagnují . Bonusweb. 28 October 2011. 20 April 2014.
  21. Web site: Chybička v souboru .htaccess.
  22. Web site: Karel. Kališ. Po stagnaci začal herní průmysl v ČR a SR opět růst. A to významně. cs. doupe.cz. 12 April 2013. 28 September 2014.
  23. Web site: Videoherní trh v ČR a SR zaznamenává růst . cs . 9 June 2010 . 27 February 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140303191225/http://svethracu.cz/clanky/herni-novinky/69-videoherni-trh-v-cr-a-sr-zaznamenava-rust.pdf . 3 March 2014 .
  24. Web site: Official Site. České Hry.org. 2 November 2014.
  25. Web site: O asociaci. HerniAsociace.cz. 2 November 2014.
  26. Web site: O nás. Game Studies.cz. 2 November 2014.
  27. Web site: Rozhovor: Když jsou videohry nejen zábavou, ale i studiem. Neogamer.cz. 2 November 2014.
  28. Web site: Herní předměty v Čechách a na Slovensku (seznam). Game Studies.cz. Masaryk University. 2 November 2014.
  29. Web site: 1C Publishing games news screenshots videos downloads and online shop . 1cpublishing.eu . 19 December 2008 . 23 February 2014.
  30. Web site: 1C Publishing EU s.r.o., Praha IČO 26688417 – Obchodní rejstřík firem . Rejstrik-firem.kurzy.cz . 23 February 2014.
  31. Web site: About us @ About Fun . About-fun.com . 23 February 2014.
  32. Web site: iOS and Android games with Heart! . Alda Games . 23 February 2014.
  33. Web site: Home . allodium.eu.
  34. Web site: O nás . Cenega.cz . 23 February 2014.
  35. Web site: "Computer Games Distribution s.r.o.", "Praha" – Počítače – hry | Zlaté stránky . Zlatestranky.cz . 23 February 2014.
  36. Web site: Profil společnosti | CQE.cz . B2b.cqe.cz . 23 February 2014.
  37. Web site: Energy Plus s.r.o., Hradec Králové IČO 28782712 - Obchodní rejstřík firem | Kurzy.cz.
  38. Web site: O společnosti EA : Electronic Arts – EA Games . Ea.com . 24 July 2012 . 23 February 2014.
  39. Web site: Electronic Arts Czech Republic s.r.o., Praha IČO 26439999 – Obchodní rejstřík firem . Rejstrik-firem.kurzy.cz . 23 February 2014.
  40. Web site: Jaká je situace u Fineway Studios?. 1 August 2006. iDNES.cz. 12 May 2017.
  41. Web site: Home . fiolasoft.cz.
  42. Web site: Flow Studio . Flowstudiogames.com . 23 February 2014.
  43. Web site: gamifi.cc: About us . www.gamifi.cc . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130802061513/http://www.gamifi.cc/about-us . 2013-08-02.
  44. Web site: Home . hyperbolicmagnetism.com.
  45. Web site: Home . icarusgames.com.
  46. Web site: Lubomir Dykast – Česká republika | LinkedIn . cs . Cz.linkedin.com . 23 February 2014.
  47. Web site: O nás | JRC – O hraní víme vše . cs . Jrc.cz . 30 January 2014 . 23 February 2014.
  48. Web site: Videohry . New.institutumeni.cz . 23 February 2014 . 26 February 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140226025259/http://new.institutumeni.cz/media/document/videohry.pdf . dead .
  49. Web site: Company . Mingle Games . 23 February 2014.
  50. Web site: Playman.cz . Playman.cz . 30 November 2012 . 23 February 2014.
  51. Web site: Sony Czech, spol. s.r.o. – Praha 4 – Chodov – ABC Českého Hospodářství . Abc.cz . 23 February 2014.
  52. Web site: Friday Facts #59 - the new office.
  53. Web site: Český Walt Disney se přiblížil 100 milionům z mobilů . Borovan.cz . 23 February 2014.
  54. Web site: Poláček. Petr. Pražské studio Disney Mobile končí, zaměstnanci šli naposledy do práce. Games.cz. 27 August 2014.
  55. Web site: Napoleon Games . Ngweb.webnode.cz . 23 February 2014.
  56. Web site: Napoleon Games s.r.o.'s official website . www.napoleongames.cz . February 17, 2016 . April 25, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211225053421/http://www.napoleongames.cz/ . December 25, 2021 . dead.
  57. Web site: Command & Conquer GDI mission 6 (Czech Republic) . YouTube . 26 April 2012 . 23 February 2014.
  58. Web site: Zach. Ondřej. Československé tanky a rozbořená Plzeň rozšiřují akci World of Tanks. Bonusweb. 16 December 2015. 16 December 2015.
  59. Web site: Vývojářská konference Game Access 2010 začíná dnes v Brně. Games.cz. 26 February 2016.
  60. Web site: Game Access '17 #day 1 hvězdný start [CzechGamer]]. www.czechgamer.com. cs. 12 May 2017.
  61. Web site: Game Access '17 Conference is Near. 80.lv. 80.lv. 13 April 2017. 12 May 2017.
  62. Web site: Videohry. GameFFest. 7 February 2015.
  63. Web site: Home . gameday.cz.
  64. Web site: Home . ceskahraroku.cz.
  65. Web site: Booom.cz . Booom.cz . 23 February 2014.
  66. News: Doskočil. Jan. Televizní diváci vybrali jejich hry roku 2014. Eurogamer.cz. 15 March 2015. 18 January 2016.
  67. Web site: Central & Eastern European Game Studies Conference. Games Studies.cz. 2 November 2014.
  68. Web site: PRVNÍ SETKÁNÍ GAME BREW PLZEŇ. KeenGamer.cz. 26 May 2015. 27 September 2015.
  69. Web site: www.oliverstasa.cz. Oliver Staša /. Gamer Pie ► Herní festival / Brno, Kino Art – 1. 10.'16. www.gamerpie.wtf. 20 July 2016.
  70. News: Všechny starší hry Bohemia Interactive doslova za babku. Eurogamer.cz . 16 January 2014.