Startspilleren følger spillerrekkefølgen.

It is a compound noun:

• start = start
• spiller = player
• -en = the definite singular ending

So startspilleren literally means the start player, more naturally the starting player or the first player depending on context.

Because Norwegian usually writes compound nouns as a single word.

So:

• start + spiller = startspiller
• startspilleren = the starting player

This is very common in Norwegian. English often uses separate words where Norwegian uses one compound word.

In Norwegian, the definite article is often attached to the end of the noun instead of being a separate word.

For example:

• en spiller = a player
• spilleren = the player

So:

• en startspiller = a starting player
• startspilleren = the starting player

That is why you do not need a separate the here.

Følger is the present tense of følge, which means to follow.

Examples:

• å følge = to follow
• jeg følger = I follow / am following
• han følger = he follows
• de følger = they follow

Norwegian verbs do not change according to person the way English verbs do. The same present-tense form is used with all subjects.

It can mean either, depending on context.

Å følge can mean:

• to physically go after someone
• to obey or stick to something
• to come after in an order
• to follow a rule, plan, or sequence

In this sentence, it most likely means something like:

• follows the player order
• goes according to the turn order
• acts in player order

So it is probably about sequence, not physically walking behind someone.

It is another compound noun:

• spiller = player
• rekkefølge = order, sequence
• -n / definite form = the

So spillerrekkefølgen means the player order or more naturally the turn order.

In a game context, this is the order in which players take their turns.

Because this is very normal in Norwegian, especially in instructions, rules, and game-related text.

Norwegian often packs meaning into compounds instead of using longer phrases.

So instead of something more analytical like:

• spilleren som starter
• rekkefølgen som spillerne har

Norwegian can use:

• startspilleren
• spillerrekkefølgen

This makes the sentence compact and natural.

The sentence follows the normal main-clause pattern:

• Startspilleren = subject
• følger = verb
• spillerrekkefølgen = object

So it is essentially:

Subject + Verb + Object

That is very similar to normal English word order here.

Both types of structure can exist in Norwegian, but compounds are often preferred when the meaning is clear and fixed.

• spillerrekkefølgen = the player order / turn order
• rekkefølgen til spillerne = the order of the players

The compound version sounds more compact and natural in many contexts, especially in game rules.

The indefinite forms would be:

• en startspiller = a starting player
• en spillerrekkefølge = a player order / a turn order

The sentence in indefinite form would be grammatically possible, but it would usually sound less natural in this context because game rules often refer to specific, known roles or systems.

It is understandable and natural, especially in games, rulebooks, and structured activities, but it is not as common in everyday casual speech as simpler words.

Depending on context, people might also say things that mean:

• turn order
• the order of play
• the order the players go in

So even if the exact compound is a bit formal or rule-like, it is perfectly normal Norwegian.

Yes. A literal translation might be:

• The starting player follows the player order.

But depending on the game context, a more natural English translation could be:

• The starting player follows the turn order.
• The starting player takes their turn according to the player order.
• Play proceeds in player order starting with the starting player.

The best translation depends on the exact game rule being described.