How nine university students built a gaming empire from a modding competition
In short: In 2010, a group of nine students in Skövde, Sweden, turned a modding entry into a global phenomenon. From the chaotic physics of Goat Simulator to massive corporate acquisitions, the journey of Coffee Stain Studios reveals how intentional chaos and strategic publishing can reshape the industry.
The origins of Coffee Stain Studios trace back to the University of Skövde, where nine students—including Anton Westbergh, Johannes Aspeby, and Mikael Mård—founded the company in 2010. Their early trajectory was shaped by the 'Make Something Unreal' competition, a modding contest for Unreal Tournament 3 hosted by Epic Games and Intel. Their entry, a mod titled Sanctum, was successful enough to lead the group to adopt the Unreal Development Kit, eventually releasing Sanctum as a standalone game in April 2011.
While their early work included the iOS title I Love Strawberries, the studio achieved massive recognition with the April 2014 release of Goat Simulator. The game was famously released in a purposely buggy state to leverage ragdoll physics, a move that resonated with live streamers and Let's Play creators. The economic consequences were immense: total earnings exceeded US$12 million by March 2016, and by August 2014, the game's sales had overtaken the sum of every prior studio release.
As the studio grew, so did its corporate footprint. In November 2018, the Coffee Stain group was acquired by THQ Nordic AB (later Embracer Group) for approximately 317 million kr. The company expanded through various subsidiaries, including Coffee Stain Publishing and stakes in developers like Ghost Ship Games and Lavapotion. After years of operating under the Embracer umbrella, the company underwent a significant structural shift, spinning off in December 2025 to become the independent, publicly traded Coffee Stain Group.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Coffee Stain Studios
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/history-coffee-stain-studios.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Born on this day · More in History · Latest · A–Z · All topics
