PortaPlay

PortaPlay is an independent Danish game development and interactive design studio based in Copenhagen. Founded in 2006, it combines original commercial games with commissioned educational software, serious games and interactive cultural experiences. Its work spans entertainment, learning and public engagement, bringing game design and multimedia storytelling to projects for commercial publishers, public institutions, broadcasters and nongovernmental organizations.

The company operates through two complementary labels. PortaPlay handles client-commissioned edutainment, serious games and museum installations, while Bird Island is its internal commercial game label. Both belong to the same company and share ownership, premises and a core team. This structure distinguishes its original narrative games from its established work-for-hire practice.

Original games

PortaPlay's commercial work emphasizes historical fiction, moral dilemmas and human experiences during conflict. Its portfolio includes Broken Lines, a 2020 alternate-history World War II tactical RPG, and Gerda: A Flame in Winter, published by DON'T NOD in 2022. Set in Tinglev during the German occupation of Denmark in 1945, Gerda uses branching, non-violent storytelling and a visual style inspired by the Skagen Painters. Its narrative expansion, Liva's Story, followed in 2023.

Other releases include the science-fiction tactical game Tales from the Void and the physics-based mobile game Panzer Geekz. Together, these projects reflect experience across narrative role-playing, tactical combat and smaller interactive formats.

Commissioned interactive experiences

The studio's client work includes financial learning through Pengeby, children's educational games for DR Ramasjang, location-based historical augmented reality and interactive documentary production. These projects apply its development capabilities to classroom learning, cultural interpretation and audience participation.

PortaPlay offers concept development, consulting, UX design, prototyping and full-cycle production, alongside software development and subcontractor coordination. Its supported platforms include PC, consoles, mobile devices, the web, VR/AR and embedded systems, allowing projects to take the form of standalone games, learning applications or physical exhibition experiences.