Stefan Eriksson is the network Game Hub Umeå's new community manager and also eXpression's latest recruitment. In close cooperation with Umeå municipality, he will help support the established gaming industry in northern Sweden and create even better conditions for startups and indie developers.

The game development industry is on the rise. New games and studios are emerging all the time and many of the established companies are growing fast. And yes, we're talking about northern Sweden.

In cooperation with Umeå municipality, eXpression Umeå is now investing in increased support for the growing industry in the north, where Stefan Eriksson has a central role.

It feels great to have finally landed in the middle of the gaming industry, which was after all a childhood dream for me. Creative environments are the best thing I know and eXpression is full of creative people I can be inspired by. What I hope for most of all is to contribute to Umeå really being able to be associated with game development even more. Universities, birch trees and games! says Stefan.

The new role involves both project management around the grassroots network Game Hub Umeå and supporting the established gaming industry in Umeå.

The initiative is a close collaboration with Umeå municipality, which recently decided on continued support for the growing industry and the regional gaming cluster Arctic Game.

I will support Game Hub Umeå, which is a community for Umeå's game creators. This includes coordinating activities and efforts to inspire, increase knowledge and help create new contacts. The cooperation with Umeå Kommun's business community also includes creating better strategic conditions for Umeå as a game city. One of the goals is more training, says Stefan.

Regional collaboration key to success

Stefan highlights the strength of the gaming industry in northern Sweden, the widespread indie scene and the importance of collaborating with others.

I see a huge potential that remains untapped, perhaps especially here in Umeå. My hope is that cooperation between the cities within the Arctic Game cluster will provide space and opportunity for more developers to invest in their ideas.

Cover photo: Johan Öhrlund

Fact box: 

Name: Stefan Eriksson 
Coming from: Umeå, Carlshem 
Live: On Lilljansberget 
Prefers to play: Stardew Valley 
Unexpected interest: Baking, preferably pie! 
Most proud of: That I ventured back to the school bench from my working life 
Best Eurodisco song: Sash! ft. Tina Cousins - Mysterious Times