Pocket Gamer has teamed up with Neogames and the IGDA Finland with support from Cocoa China and Papaya Mobile, to organize Pocket Gamer Mobile Mixer in Helsinki.

Pocket Gamer’s Mobile Mixers unite the greatest minds and freshest faces in the world of mobile games development with a heady mixture of presentations, panels, and networking – all gently lubricated with a little complimentary booze.

The Program

Doors Open (5pm)

Welcome – Chris James, MD – Pocket Gamer

Market Spotlight: China
Cocoa China’s US GM Lei Zhang, explains why it makes sense to look East right now!

Market Spotlight: Russia
Nevosoft’s Business Development Director, Julia Lebedeva points out that one of the fastest growing app markets is right on your doorstep

Acquisition & Monetisation Panel:
The hottest topics relating to recruiting users and making money discussed with industry luminaries.
Chris Hanage, GM – Papaya Mobile
Tommy Palm, Mobile Guru – King
Thorbjörn Warin, CMO – Grand Cru
Jon Jordan, Editor at Large – PocketGamer.Biz

Recruitment Focus
Looking to advance your career? Look no further.
Rovio
Unity
Grey Area
Supercell
AppCampus

Battle Panel – Big Vs Small
Is it better to stay small, nimble and retain full creative control or do you need to think big to survive in the increasingly competitive market place? Chris James is your referee for a tru david vs goliath battle featuring leading industry heavyweights.
Chris James, MD – Steel Media
Illkka Paananen, CEO – Supercell
Markus Pasula, CEO – Grand Cru Games
Jami Laes, SVP Games – Rovio
Johannes Vuorinen, Co-Founder – Frogmind

Sign up to the event: Eventbrite.

We’ve done it! 404 visitors. And no, this is not an error. The evening was even more spectacular than we had hoped for. Thank you for everyone! Your enthusiasm never ceases to amaze us.

You may have spotted a few unusual visitors within the crowd. Some had traveled to Helsinki from Turku or Kajaani, others from across the seas. Did you recognize Kate Edwards, the Executive Director of IGDA? Or Kadri Ugand from the recently founded IGDA Estonia?

Our wonderful sponsor Supercell deserves a big thank you. The cryptic flashlight mentioned in the invitation turned out to be a neat photo booth, and we got some compelling pictures of you guys. It was heartwarming to see you embrace all the hats and wigs.

All in all the evening was a success. We have once again proven that the developers know how to party. See you next time!

IGDA Finland April Gathering
Time: 9.4.2013 at 19.00
Place: Club Adams, Erottaja 15-17, Helsinki Finland

We will dive tablet first into IGDA Finland’s April Gathering and we are happy to announce that the notorious Supercell returns as our sponsor! This means several things. Yes, drink tickets. But that’s not all: I have been informed we shall also have something to nibble on (the whispers say it’s something round). And don’t be surprised if the atmosphere physically hits the ceiling this time!

Oh, and be prepared for flashlights, it will get you a tasty reward!

There’s another reason you definitely don’t want to miss this Gathering. Surely all of you know the hot topic: the all-mighty Game Developers Conference. Here’s a great chance to discuss the living daylight out of it!

Note! Executive Director of IGDA Central (International Game Developers Association) will be visiting us, too! Let’s show the world how we party!

We’ll see you there!

All’s well that ends well. The December Gathering was just as grandiose as it was supposed to be. We couldn’t have hoped for a better way to say goodbye to 2012.

We extend a big thank you to December’s sponsor. Supercell was a patron of modest but nevertheless generous disposition. Drink tickets were only half of the fun: visitors were provided with a Christmasy drink and a Santa hat, both free of charge. Early arrivers even had a chance to grab themselves a tasty hamburger to soothe their souls.

The highlight of the evening came from Supercell’s Ilkka Paananen. We already know that the Finnish game industry and game community are full passion, creativity and commitment, you, dear visitors, keep proving it over and over again. Paananen revealed to us that our reputation precedes us: Finland’s game community is recognized even overseas. When it comes to making games, Finland is the place to be.

We were happy to see that some of you already flashed your new and shiny IGDA Finland membership cards. We were certainly happy! There were an astounding 273 visitors in Cuba. Thank you everyone! We are ready for 2013.

Have a most relaxing Christmas and a splendid New Year. See you in January 2013!

“Happy holiday, happy holiday
While the merry bells keep ringing
May your ev’ry wish come true.”

We Wish You A Happy Holiday,
IGDA Finland Coordinators: Jukka, Vesku, Pauliina, Joona, Joonas, Samuli, Anna & Sonja
Fabulous IGDA Finland volunteers
IGDA Finland ry board