Some of you wonder who are those people organizing IGDA Finland events? Why they do it and even how could I join them? Active IGDA coordinators Samuli and Joona tell what drives them to do good stuff for the Finnish game community and what they got out of it. IGDA Finland is also welcoming new Coordinators and volunteers for the season 2010-2011. If you are interested, get in touch (sonja.kangas or vesa-matti.raudasoja [at] igda.fi).
How did you get involved in IGDA Finland at the first place?
Joona: I got several recommendations to take part in IGDA Finland Gatherings once I started studying game design at Adulta Creative Industries. I decided to take a look what these events were all about and with a couple of friends from school we went to visit one. After a couple of gatherings I decided to join the team as a volunteer. Getting to know the key people was quick and before I knew it, I was fully on board. I was to start taking names at the door but as a positive surprise, soon I was doing much more than just that.
Samuli: So yeah, I had been meaning to come to the monthly meetings for several years before a friend of mine finally dragged me along. He was already a volunteer at IGDA at that point, so he introduced me to the crew and before I knew it, I was drafted as a volunteer myself! Not many months after, I was asked if I wanted to take more responsibility and become an official coordinator at the chapter. Spotting a great opportunity, I of course answered “yes” and so here we are!
As a volunteer, what have you done for IGDA Finland chapter?
Joona: One very good point worth mentioning about volunteering for IGDA Finland, is that it’s completely up to you what kind of input you want to put for the organization and the events! After a few door sessions I’ve started to take photos at the events on a regular basis. You can find these photos on the igda.fi website and on Flickr. I’ve also programmed a visitor sign-in system for the door to streamline things a bit. This really helped out as now nobody has to do extra paperwork after the events. Besides those I’ve helped put up a movie theatre gaming event for volunteers and lots of miscellaneous technical stuff during the events.
Samuli: I started my volunteering at the sign-in spot at the door, as usual, but also wrote some content on the website occasionally. Once I was bumped to the epic coordinator status, I’ve been involved in coordinating the monthly gatherings, planning future activities and such. I do what I must, because I can!
Where are you working at the moment? What do you do there?
Joona: I just finished a four month training period at Digital Chocolate as a game design trainee. Helping out at IGDA and making new contacts this way in the industry really helped me out landing this position. For my training period I took responsibilities as a level designer and level scripter for a big game which is still to be announced. For the present I’m at school finishing up my degree in game development.
Samuli: I’m just finishing up my game design degree from Adulta Creative Industries and am currently sitting at the offices of Ironstar Helsinki, trying to whip a team of other students into shape! In other words, I’m a production intern and I run a small team, consisting of three other games industry students. I handle all the day-to-day stuff, scheduling, production planning and execution, interdepartmental communication and such. I even do some game design and writing, among other things, when needed.
What benefit have you gotten from being a Igda volunteer?
Joona: I’ve made lots of new friends! To make a great game, you need to make a great team, first!
Samuli: The most obvious thing is, of course, the huge amount of new contacts I’ve made and people I’ve gotten to know on a personal level through IGDA. I can’t think of any other place where you can have a beer and some laughs with some of the most talented and professional people in the Finnish games industry in a relaxed “off work”-environment. It’s been great! If you’re a game developer – or interested in becoming one – and haven’t already visited our gatherings, my personal recommendation is to do so as soon as possible or you’ll be missing out on some serious fun. Now that you’re aware of all these truly amazing facts, I’m sure you have no other option than to come say hello to us at the next gathering, so I’ll just see you there. Bye!
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