The Czech and Slovak Gaming Industry - A Global Success From A To Z

Reflecting on my career, it’s clear that it has been a journey not just through the evolution of video games but also through a transformative era in my country’s history. As I was taking my first steps into the world of gaming, my homeland, Czechoslovakia, was undergoing a seismic shift from communist totality to a free country. This change opened up new horizons for many industries, including gaming, which eventually transitioned from a pastime into a thriving business after decades of hard work and many struggles.

I was fortunate enough to be at the forefront of this revolution and even more fortunate to still be an active part of the gaming community in the Czech Republic even today. Growing up in Prague, I was captivated by the allure of video games from a young age. The arrival of gaming machines in our neighbourhood was a transformative experience for me. I remember thinking, “This is it. This is what I want to do—not just for now, but for the rest of my life.” And once my oldest brother Patrik ?paněl brought home a computer behind the Iron Curtain, Texas Instruments 99/4, my destiny was clear. I was lucky to share this passion with Ond?ej ?paněl , the genius programmer kid behind the Real Virtuality engine that later powered Arma games for many decades. From homegrown games to starting in a small JRC sales booth in the heart of Prague, I witnessed and contributed to the growth of the entire Czech video gaming retail and distribution industry and, most of all, my true passion, the development sector. This hands-on experience laid the foundation for a significant chapter in my life: founding Bohemia Interactive. It was here that I could fully integrate my passion for game development and the business and marketing aspects of the industry.

Looking back at the history and global impact of the Czech game development industry, I’m filled with pride at the incredible hits it has produced. However, it’s evident that despite the significant advancements and global hits we’ve created, the video game industry is often not regarded with the same esteem as the movie industry, which enjoys substantial government support. So one way to look at it is that we should work hard and compete on the global stage to earn tax money that the government can later pour into another Western streaming series or a movie to be filmed in the Czech Republic. As I reflect on the past decades, I remain hopeful that the video game industry will continue to gain the recognition it deserves, not just as a business powerhouse but as a vibrant and vital part of our cultural tapestry, not just as technology but also as an art form and that we, game developers, will be able to continue producing unique games that shine on the global stage.

In this blog, let me highlight this once tiny home industry's success, dive into the alphabetical list of Czech and Slovak games that made video games arguably our country's most significant contemporary cultural export and also my notes about the state of the industry in the Czech republic and its future.

Arma

Developed by Bohemia Interactive, the Arma series continues in the legacy of its debut breakthrough title, Operation Flashpoint. It is an authentic, diverse, open military sandbox that allows users to create, learn, and play. The Arma series began in 2006 with Arma: Armed Assault, a spiritual successor to Operation Flashpoint, and has seen the release of several games, with Arma 3 selling over 10 million copies since its initial release in 2013 and Arma Reforger successfully bringing Arma to Microsoft Xbox Series in addition to PC Valve corporation Steam, paving the way for the future of the series powered by the latest proprietary Czech game technology, Enfusion Engine .

Beat Saber

This VR game has taken the gaming industry by storm! Created in Prague by a team of Slovaks and Czechs - Jaroslav Beck, Ján Ilavsky, and Vladimír Hrin?ár - Beat Saber is the perfect example of passion and dedication that led to the creation of a true classic. The game's concept sounds simple - players use VR controllers to wield a pair of glowing sabres and slash beats incoming as the music flows. However, Beat Games took this concept to perfection and created a game that dominates and defines the entire genre. Today, Beat Games (Beat Saber) is a part of one of the world's largest technology and media companies, Meta. Millions of players enjoy the light sabres and energy of this fascinating and quite physical experience in virtual reality.

Codenames

This is not purely a video game but must be included in this list. Codenames, created by the living legend Vlaada Chvátil from Czech Games Edition, is one of the most successful board games ever. It is a game that blends various bits of best party games, making it an excellent way for 4-8 people to play and interact, ideally in the real world. Its thought-smart design has contributed to its success, and it is a genuine global phenomenon, perhaps one of the top ten contemporary board games that sold way more than 10 million copies worldwide in many different variants and languages.

Dayz

This is Dayz. This is your story. Meet Dean Hall, an active Arma modder, soldier, and adventurer from New Zealand. After joining the Bohemia Interactive team in Brno, the video game village East of Prague, he worked on a persistent Arma game with authentic military operation mode. He was supposed to make Arma 3 multiplayer mode (a year later, another mod maker, Brendan "PLAYERUNKNOWN" Greene, made Arma 3: Battle Royale, won second place in the Make Arma Not War competition with a prize money 30.000 Euro, but that is another story). Instead, he created Dayz Mod for Arma 2 - a game that simulates apocalypse and survival in a large online multiplayer/social experiment. Available now as a stand-alone game on PC, Xbox, and Playstation, Dayz has become a viral hit with over 350 thousand daily players having a more active player base than when it was first released ten years ago and with over ten million copies sold worldwide.

Euro Truck Simulator 2

E can not mean anything else than Euro Truck Simulator 2 from SCS Software. It is probably the best-selling Czech game of all time. Its wheels of steel cannot be stopped, with a convoy of many DLCs. The game's attention to detail, more relaxing nature, and ability to cater to casual and hardcore players is incredible. Trucks from Prague are rolling not only across Europe but across the world, and there is nothing that can stop them.

Factorio

After a successful Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign in 2013, Factorio, the game initially developed by two programmers and one artist, became a global hit and started a new genre: factory automation games. It sold over 3.5 million copies and has a space in the gaming Hall of Fame. This game is just loved by its players, and it is even endorsed as the best game by Notch, the creator of Minecraft.

Gravon Real Virtuality

Created by SUMA, Ond?ej ?paněl, and published in 1995 by JRC Czech, a.s., and Slavomír Pavlí?ek, the game was designed on quite an uncommon computer platform, Atari Falcon030; it was arguably the first Czech game that was developed for and exported to Western markets. Although revolutionary for its time (a 3D open-world game rendered in 65 thousand colours with detailed physical simulation, AI units, and fully positional 3D audio; yes, this was the year 95), it was not yet the commercial breakthrough global Czech gaming success. However, it paved the way in terms of technology and game design vision for Operation Flashpoint that followed six years later and proved that Czech developers could compete on the global stage with the best Western studios and games. If you wonder about this game, it is preserved in Take On Mars on Steam for future generations, or you can watch a gameplay video.

Hidden and Dangerous

Released in 1999, developed by Illusion Softworks from Brno, this Czech game became a big international hit, selling millions of copies and finally putting the Czech Republic on the game's development map. Hidden and Dangerous is a tactical shooter game that puts you in command of a four-man British Special Air Service (SAS) team during World War II. The gameplay emphasizes a realistic approach, requiring players to use stealth and strategy to execute sabotage and rescue missions across various war-torn environments. You can control any squad member from several 3D perspectives while assigning tasks to the rest of the team on a tactical map.

Chuchel

Let's talk about the letter "Ch". Did you know it's a letter in the Czech alphabet and is pronounced as "kh"? And more importantly, have you played "Chuchel" yet? It's another stunning masterpiece from Amanita Design, a Czech game studio that has redefined the boundaries of computer games as an art form without any objection.

Indiana Jones a chrám zkázy

In 1985, Fuxoft released "Indiana Jones a chrám zkázy" for ZX Spectrum, one of the first known, finished and comprehensive Czech video games ever made. Despite the challenges posed by a lagging IT industry and a communist regime that failed to endorse computer technology, the first brave Czech developers created homebrew games. We did not understand much about copyright, and we wanted to "go west", so many of them were more or less trying to recreate Western games and Western culture. It's fantastic to see how far the Czech gaming industry has come since those early days, especially after the oppressive regime fell in 1989.

J.U.L.I.A. Among the Stars

CBE Software Jan Kavan's is a standout example of an intelligent science-fiction adventure game. With a captivating story, challenging puzzles, and stunning artistic design, it's no wonder this game has achieved global success in a small gaming industry niche. The industry is now much more difficult, so another great game from Jan, Someday You'll Return, is more of a hidden gem.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance

Directed by Daniel Vavra, is a true legend of Czech games. This single-player action RPG from Warhorse Studios is inspired by events in the 15th century in the Kingdom of Bohemia and is clearly one of the best and most known Czech video games ever.

Last Train Home

A recent game from Ashborne Games embodies one of the Czech games industry's strengths: authenticity and real-world connections. This recent game from Brno tells the inspiring story of Czechoslovak legions as they fought against the Bolsheviks and made their way back home. The legions' journey took them across the entire expanse of Russia, to Vladivostok far in the east, to get back home to the west.

Mafia

The Mafia series, developed by Illusions Softworks (now 2k Czech) and directed by Daniel Vavra, has been a fan favourite since Mafia, its first instalment in 2002. Set in the fictional U.S. city of Lost Heaven, Illinois, during the final years of Prohibition in the 1930s, the game's immersive storyline and realistic gameplay make it a standout in the gaming world.

Nibiru: Age of Secrets

Point-and-click adventure games were once the most popular genre among Czech game developers and customers. However, those days are long gone. While these games were primarily successful in the local market, one exception was the company Future Games, which has unfortunately been defunct since 2011. But they managed to create globally successful adventure games, and Nibiru: Age of Secrets is a well-crafted point-and-click adventure game from 2005 that puts you in the shoes of a young archaeology student and is set in the beautiful Czech Republic.

Original War

A real-time strategy game with RPG elements developed by Czech studio Altar Interactive. It is a hidden gem that deserves more recognition and appreciation from the global gaming audience—published globally by Virgin Interactive (precisely one week before Operation Flashpoint) on 15th June 2001. Despite its originality and quality, Original War did not receive as much global attention outside of Central Europe, where it gained a loyal fan base and cult status. This is the second time Vlaada Chvátil, the Czech game design legend, has been featured on this list! However, thanks to the incredible user community and community developers of the OW Support team, the game is kept up to date for anyone to play on Steam in a state that makes it competitive even in the modern era of gaming. In an alternate timeline where the US and the Soviet Union compete for a mysterious alien mineral called Siberite, Original War challenges players to make choices and deal with the consequences. Its unique combination of strategy, role-playing, and storytelling makes it a game ahead of its time, showcasing the creativity and talent of Czech game developers. Back then, the world was not ready for it, nor was it prepared to accept that the US and Western Europe are not the only places where great games come.

Polda

A Czech adventure game series that has captured the hearts and minds of many players in the Czech Republic and beyond. Despite the relatively small Czech local market, Polda has sold many copies, nearly all in the local market only. The game follows the adventures of Pankrác, a clumsy but lovable policeman who solves various crimes and mysteries. The games are full of humour, puzzles, and references to Czech culture, history, and politics, and they star some of the best Czech voice actors. First released in 1998, Polda was inspired by classic adventure games such as Monkey Island and Leisure Suit Larry. The game has become a cult phenomenon among Czech gamers. It has been translated into several languages, such as English, French, German, Italian, Polish, and Russian, gaining fans from other countries.

Quadrax

A Slovak puzzle game was released in 1996 for DOS, based on a 1994 ZX Spectrum game by David Durcak and Marian Ferko. It features two adventurers working together to solve platform puzzles in an ancient temple. With over 100 levels full of obstacles, switches, doors, and lifts, Quadrax quickly became popular in its home countries.

Reaper

R is not a famous letter among Czech game developers for some reason, but there is at least one very successful game: Reaper from Hexage. It is an action/RPG that sports attractive visuals and various quests to keep you engaged in improving your character all the time.

Space Engineers

This game from Keen Software House has significantly impacted the gaming industry, and it continues to attract a large and dedicated fanbase. Players can design, build, and explore their space stations, ships, and planets with its realistic physics engine. The game's attention to detail and immersive experience make it a must-play for any video game enthusiast.

Top Spin 4

While not widely known as a Czech creation, this game is developed by 2K Czech and beautifully encapsulates the essence of tennis, drawing inspiration from the Czech Republic's rich history in the sport. Home to tennis legends like Martina Navratilova and Ivan Lendl, the Czech Republic's influence on the global tennis stage is undeniable. Top Spin 4 offers players a realistic and immersive tennis experience, allowing them to engage with the sport on a virtual court.

Unkilled

MADFINGER Games, a.s. has made significant strides in the mobile gaming industry. Unkilled, released in 2015, is a first-person shooter game that set a high standard for graphics and gameplay on mobile platforms and followed the series of similar games from this studio, like Dead Trigger or Shadowgun. Unkilled is a prime example of the Czech Republic's growing influence in global game development. It underscores Czech developers' creativity and technical expertise, contributing significantly to the industry's innovation. Madfinger Games' success with Unkilled highlighted their prowess. It reinforced the Czech Republic's position as a key player in the international gaming scene, not only on PC but also in the mobile gaming space.

Vigor

A game developed by Bohemia Interactive and initially released in 2019 has attracted over 19 million console players through continuous updates and active community engagement. Set against the bleak backdrop of post-apocalyptic Norway, Vigor is a survival challenge where strategy, resourcefulness, and player interactions intertwine to create a deeply immersive experience.

Way of the Hunter

Another Slovak game developed by a talented team of Nine Rocks Games in Bratislava formed by the same people that have brought us games like Spellcross and Quadrax in the past, but also many hunting games made for a US publisher. This game provides players with a realistic and engaging wilderness experience, capturing the essence of hunting elegantly. Its attention to detail and dedication to authenticity make it an excellent play for enthusiasts and casual gamers alike.

X

Many other great Czech games made their mark on the global scene. Some deserve to be highlighted, and I want to use X as a joker card for them. On this list, I include several honourable mentions:

American Truck Simulator, Dead Trigger, Machinarium, Operation Flashpoint, Samorost and Vietcong.

Ylands

At its core, it is a game about freedom. Freedom to explore, freedom to create and freedom to share. In this free-to-play low-poly game on PC and mobile, players can sail between various ylands and regions, gathering resources, crafting tools, and engaging in multiple activities - from building to battling.

Ylands continues to evolve, offering a platform for players to play games and create, share, and live out their wildest gaming fantasies using the powerful editor that empowers players to make any game they can dream of, from RPG epics to racing games and a unique program for schools and future game creators is available as Ylands Edu.

Z future of Czech Games

On our journey through the Czech game industry's remarkable success, one letter of the alphabet still needs to be explored: Z. Surprisingly, no standout Czech game title starts with this letter. However, the Czech gaming scene is still actively evolving and innovating, and I am confident that one day, there will be a globally successful Czech game beginning with the letter Z.. Still, for now, we can let it represent the future of the Czech game industry.

The global game industry is challenging and will look very different in the coming years. However, we at Bohemia Interactive, as one of the driving forces in the Czech Republic in the last three decades, will continue to embrace curiosity and acknowledge that the world will continue to shift, adapt, and surprise us.

We are proud to have many strong Czech gaming IPs, like Arma and Dayz, and we will keep growing and nurturing them. We are also continuing to build our in-house Czech game technology Enfusion Engine . Additionally, we established Bohemia Incubator as a platform that nurtures independent game developers in the Czech Republic (and even beyond), providing financial support, publishing services, and resources. It’s where innovative ideas transform into captivating games, like the recent release of Silica.

We are investing in the next generation of game creators and invite kids and schools to use Ylands Edu to learn how to become creators and developers instead of just consuming content prepared by others. The Czech gaming industry thrives, and Bohemia Interactive stands at the forefront. With Enfusion, strong IPs, and educational initiatives, we're shaping the future of games. So, while the missing “Z” game remains a mystery, Czech developers are busy creating a legacy that will resonate for years to come. ??????