Finnish Game Awards 2017 - summary

/ Club Capital/

Last evening at incredible Finnish Game Awards gala, "IGDA Finland Volunteer of the Year 2016" award went to - one and only - Minna Eloranta!!!

More detailed information about the awards and event can be found at Neogames-pages:

http://www.neogames.fi/suomen-peliparhaimmisto-palkittiin-the-finnish-game-awards-gaalassa/

IGDA Finland is recruiting coordinators

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IGDA Finland is entirely run by volunteer staff, which means all of our activities – most importantly gatherings and presentations – are brought to life by the talent and passion of a group of individuals willing to invest their time and effort for the good of the industry. There are no paychecks but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t pay well: you get to meet awesome people, gain industry contacts and valuable experience. (Occasionally there will be fun and games too!) Right now we have a few open positions so if this sounds like something you’re interested in, don’t hesitate to email us!

Lead Coordinator

  • The Lead Coordinator of IGDA Finland Helsinki is an active and motivated leader. You get energy from the success of others. To succeed as a Lead Coordinator, you have already proved your leading skills, either in the industry or in other circumstances. Previous experience working with volunteer teams is a big plus. This role will get guidance from the IGDA Finland Board on a monthly basis.
  • Responsibility: Main responsibility of monthly gatherings in Helsinki including event production and sponsor communication, managing coordinators in Helsinki
  • Needed time: 5h-10h / week
  • Needed xp: team lead 2-5 years, knowledge of industry
  • Contact: Minna Eloranta, minna.eloranta@igda.fi

Event Coordinator

  • IGDA Finland Helsinki events are the biggest continuous game industry events in Finland. We are now searching for an exceptional individual, who can withstand the pressure of organizing events in a timely manner. This person has already experience in organizing multiple events and is self-driven. The Lead Coordinator will support and manage this role.
  • Responsibility: organize gatherings, communicate with sponsors
  • Needed time: 3-5h / week
  • Needed xp: organizing any events 1-2 years in major role
  • Contact: Jori Hellstedt, jori.hellstedt@igda.fi

We also want to thank our outgoing Lead- and Event Coordinators, Minna Eloranta and Jori Hellstedt for their hard work, positive spirit and hands-on input, and wish them all the best for their future adventures.

Introducing IGDA Finland Vaasa Hub

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Vaasa game development scene is ready to take the next step. There has been a lot bubbling under in Ostrobothnia in recent years. One of the most visible parts being Vaasa Game Days, an annual event combining both consumer and professional sides in one enthralling game fair. And of course: there are plenty of people developing games!

With units from six different Universities and the strong entrepreneurial mindset of the people of Ostrobothnia, it´s only natural to have game companies and teams eager to become one. Until now, everyone has been busy developing their own things and not had the time to join the efforts. But now it´s time to make the game development scene in Vaasa visible to the world. Currently the game industry development in Vaasa region is coordinated by West Coast Startup, a joint business incubator of Vaasa University of Applied Sciences and University of Vaasa.

The first gathering amongst local game developers was organized in early 2015, together with Ostrobothnia Game Industry Facebook group, and since then there´s been regular meetings. What´s also going on at the moment, is building a game cluster together with developers from all around Ostrobothnia. In the beginning of April, a pilot project started with Yle Pohjanmaa, in order to hopefully build Vaasa Game Lab inside Yle´s premises, and actively scout and test new collaboration methods. The ultimate goal is to build a safe haven for all game developers, researchers and other parties to collaborate, network and test out new things. Being part of the IGDA family is an essential part of that. And now, the first step has been taken.

The Vaasa scene is thrilled to be part of a global network of game developers and welcomes all enthusiasts to join the hub. Find out more on the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/igdavaasa/

Introducing IGDA Finland Satakunta Hub

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In Satakunta there is plenty of know-­how in game development, gamification and related fields, but for a long time the companies and schools have worked mainly on their own. Well, that’s about to change right now: We are proud to introduce the brand new member of IGDA family – ­IGDA Finland Satakunta Hub! The first gathering for the students, professionals and enthusiasts was held in Pori in October 2015 under the name “Peliala Satakunta”. The organizers were expecting from 10­ to 20 people to participate, but the total number was almost 40! Lots of contacts and plans were made, and from the start it was clear that the gaming community in Satakunta wants to be part of a larger network: ­ IGDA.

Since then there has been a gathering every month and the network has expanded even more. Over 80 people have attended to the gatherings and other events and the hub´s Facebook group has well over 100 members. In the process of gathering the network, a local audiovisual development and production facility Villilä Studios has been a big help with the project “Cogas – ­Concepting Gaming Seriously”. The aim of the project is to gather a network in Game Development and Gamification and search for joint development ideas and new areas for business. Cogas is financed by The Regional Council of Satakunta.

But so far the enthusiasm of the game developers in the area has been in the biggest role in networking and boosting up the game industry in Satakunta; local game companies, education providers, development companies and all the great people sharing the passion for making games.

IGDA Finland Satakunta Hub warmly welcomes everybody to the gatherings and events in Satakunta. The first official gathering as IGDA Finland Satakunta Hub will be held in April. Join the group and find out about the upcoming events on Facebook: facebook.com/groups/igdasatakunta

Recruiting volunteers!

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IGDA Finland is looking for more volunteers! Are you crafty with words and love social media? Or do you have some graphic design expertise? Our wonderful Media Team wants you!

We are currently looking for Social Media Managers and an Art Director in Helsinki area.

Social Media Managers - produce quality content on our social media channels (Twitter + Facebook), including live coverage of our monthly gatherings

We appreciate solid skills on Twitter and Facebook, understanding on the principles of different social media channels, excellent English skills. A more technical background will be considered a plus.

Sounds like you? Super! Contact our Social Media Coordinator Noemi Cugudda: noemi.cugudda@igda.fi

As an Art Director you will - take care of the look and feel of our visual content - oversee and organise the work of our photographers and graphic designers - plan and coordinate various graphics projects

We appreciate experience in project management, diverse graphic design skills, photography skills and a sharp visual eye.

Interested? Great! Drop an email to our Media Team Lead Niina Pesonen: niina.pesonen@igda.fi

As well as a fun team with fantastic people we offer exclusive studio visits and the chance to meet all the cool people in the industry – not to mention the warm and fuzzy feeling inside you when you get to make the world a better place.

Not from the Helsinki area? Contact your local hub to volunteer! Everyone is welcome to contribute, no matter their skills and background.http://igda.fi/hubs/