Spillfabrikken AS was founded in Trondheim, Norway in 2020 by Sander Ofstad, Ole Tessem, and Jørgen Holmseth.
Since then, we have sold over 1 million board games across multiple international markets, including Europe, the United States, and beyond.
In 2025, the company generated over 8 million USD in revenue.
Our long-term focus is simple: to keep building, scaling, and improving the games we create.
We continue to expand into new markets, working across countries worldwide and adapting each game to fit the people it's made for.
Our ambition is to become a leading global player in the card game market, by creating products that work internationally and continue to perform at scale.
One frosty evening in Lauøyva, a small island outside Trondheim in central Norway, or as some might say, in the middle of nowhere, the northern lights shimmered in a dance of emerald and violet across the Arctic sky. Amidst this celestial spectacle, four quirky friends —Sander Ofstad, Ole Tessem and Jørgen Holmseth — gathered around a bonfire, their faces illuminated by the flickering flames and their hearts ablaze with a madcap idea.
began Sander, scratching his head thoughtfully, "What if we combine our love for Trondheim's icy winters with our passion for board games into a fantastic business?"
Ole, ever the practical joker, pulled a pair of fuzzy earmuffs over his ears. "Board games? In this weather? Are you trying to freeze our brains?" Jørgen, never one to shy away from a challenge, chimed in with a sly grin, "Why not? If we can survive Norwegian winters, we can conquer anything — even Monopoly."
a name inspired by their love for spills, thrills, and the occasional faceplant in the snow.
They started brainstorming ideas, fuelled by copious amounts of brunost (Norwegian brown cheese) and lingonberry jam. Sander came up with "Kryptert," a game where players try to figure out what they are reading while everyone else hears it clearly. Ole introduced"TROLL LAKS BRUNOST VIKING TACO," a strategic game involving tricky trolls and even trickier foods. Jørgen, with his flair for drama, pitched"GJØR ELLER DRIKK," where players get smashingly drunk under the northern lights to outshine their opponents. Well, he got stuck in a snowbank and yelled, "How about a game called 'SNOWED IN BLUFF,' where the goal is to bluff your way out of a cabin fever meltdown?"
With prototypes in hand — crafted from reindeer antlers, dried fish scales, and a sprinkle of Viking spirit — they hit the streets of Trondheim. Their first sale? A game of "Kryptert" to a confused yet intrigued tourist who mistook it for a survival guide.
Word spread faster than you can say "Lutefisk," and soon Spillfabrikken became the talk of Norway. Their board games were flying off the shelves faster than Ole during a reindeer race.Before they knew it, they had sold over 250,000 units and were even stocking three stores at Oslo airport, making their games more popular than lefse at a Norwegian Christmas feast.
Today, Spillfabrikken stands tall not just as a testament to friendship and fun but as the heart and soul of Norwegian gaming culture.
And if you ever find yourself wandering the snowy streets of Trondheim, listen closely. You might just hear the playful echoes ofa board game battle, with players crying while playing Kryptert — crying because they feel baffled and their audiences crying with laughter because they clearly know what's going on.
So, fancy a game of "Kryptert," or are you up for the challenge of "TROLL LAKS BRUNOST VIKING TACO"? Either way...
Founder, Chairman
Founder, CEO
Founder, Director
Director
