Last Call for PGC Helsinki Tickets

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Here’s a reminder to everyone who hasn’t gotten their tickets to Pocket Gamer Connects Heslinki! Over 1,500 games industry professionals will gather at Wanha Satama in Helsinki on October 1-2 to network, discover, pitch and learn from 200 of the world’s top experts.

Pocket Gamer Connects Helsinki is part of Finnish Games Week 2024, a week-long series of game industry events taking place in Helsinki, and powered at its core by Leadership Day by IGDA Finland, W Love Games alongside Pocket Gamer’s own events. More information on Finnish Games Week can be found here: https://www.pgconnects.com/helsinki/finnish-games-week/

IGDA Finland members get 20% using code IGDAHelsinki20 when registering, which is automatically applied using the this link.

Book your tickets now: https://www.pgconnects.com/helsinki/registration/ 

Pocket Gamer Connects Helsinki 2024

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Pocket Gamer Connects, returns to Finland again in 2024!

Over 1,500 games industry professionals will gather at Wanha Satama in Helsinki on October 1-2 to network, discover, pitch and learn from 200 of the world’s top experts.

Mobile, PC and console, blockchain, VR/AR and more will be covered, across unmissable conference tracks. Our speakers and panelists will share their expert insight into design and development, monetisation and growth, AI, blockchain and loads more. Attendees will gain access to the MeetToMatch meeting platform free and unlimited to all delegates, so you can find that perfect contact and arrange to meet them in person.

We’ll be running a whole host of side activities and curated matchmaking events to cater to everyone’s networking needs.

Investor Connector
Publisher SpeedMatch
The Global Connects Party
The Very Big Indie Pitch (Mobile Edition)
The Very Big Indie Pitch (PC + Console Edition)
The Big Indie Zone

Pocket Gamer Connects Helsinki is part of the Finnish Games Week 2024, a week-long series of game industry events taking place in Helsinki, and powered at its core by Leadership Day by IGDA Finland, W Love Games alongside Pocket Gamer’s own events. More information on Finnish Games Week can be found here: https://www.pgconnects.com/helsinki/finnish-games-week/

IGDA Finland members get 20% using code IGDAHelsinki20 when registering, which is automatically applied using the this link.

Join us in Helsinki for the return of the leading games industry conference! Book your tickets now: https://www.pgconnects.com/helsinki/registration/ 

Quantum Game Jam 10 Years Celebration!

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Join us in celebrating A DECADE of Quantum Game Jam! 🎉🎉🎉

This year we are reaching a great milestone - 10 years of Quantum Game Jam which grew into a global event! To celebrate, in collaboration with Department of Computing at University of Turku and IGDA Future program of IGDA Finland, we are organizing a one-day IT conference “ENTANGLE” in Turku with esteemed line of guest speakers.

Join us next week from Friday to Sunday, both the conference and game jam are FREE of charge to attend but registration is mandatory so that we can share the information and proceedings with the attendees.

📅 13.09. - Entangle: Bridging Quantum and Classical Computing ✨REGISTER HERE✨

👾 13-15.09 - Quantum Game Jam 2024 ✨REGISTER ON ITCH.IO✨

For more information visit quantumgamejam.org

Get 20% off your ticket to GIST / Indieway

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Join game industry decision-makers on September 13-15 at Gaming İstanbul / Indieway, a business conference dedicated to the gaming industry.

🎙 Webinars/Seminars with great speakers,
📅 Business Matchmaking,
🎮 Indie Game Showcase.

IGDA Finland members should use promocode IGDA20 when registering for the event for a 20% discount. Get your ticket here: https://biletino.com/tr/e-unl/indieway-september-official-b2b-event-of-gaming-istanbul/

DevGAMM Awards: Empowering Future Game Talents with a $100K Prize Pool

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The DevGAMM Awards is a top-tier competition celebrating excellence in game development, with a $100,000 prize pool and sponsor bonuses—perfect for indie developers and small studios.

Industry pros will judge projects across 10 categories.

The grand ceremony will take place at DevGAMM Lisbon 2024 on November 15.

Submission deadline: September 30, 2024. Submit your game or join other activities at DevGAMM Lisbon here: https://form.fillout.com/t/cBUBtM1Pv2us

Find more details on the DevGAMM website. Don’t miss your chance to showcase your game!

Get 20% off your Gamescom Congress Ticket

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The Gamescom Congress takes place on 22 August 2024 at the new Confex conference centre on the Koelnmesse exhibition grounds and shows that games are much more than just great entertainment. In a wide-ranging programme, 130 speakers from all over the world will present the social, economic and technological opportunities that games offer for our future in over 60 programme items. This year's programme will focus on the topics of 'Games and Artificial Intelligence' and 'Games and Democracy'.

Using contemporary practical examples, the Gamescom congress demonstrates how culture, business, science and society can benefit from the innovative power of games. This makes the Gamescom congress unique worldwide and in demand far beyond the games industry. The congress will take place for the 16th time in 2024 as part of Gamescom and is targeted at experts from a wide range of business sectors including culture, education, politics, science, journalism and game development.

Programme details and tickets are available at: https://congress.gamescom.global/en/gamescom-congress.

IGDA Finland members get 20% off when using the following code when checking out: congress24b3ews4pdq

Get 15% off Tickets to the Mobidictum Conference

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Returning for its third edition, the Mobidictum Conference 2024 is set for October 15-16 at the Lütfi Kırdar Congress Center in Istanbul, drawing over 1,500 attendees from 70 countries. With a strong focus on mobile gaming, the event features 100 speakers, including top names from Supercell, Rovio, and Ubisoft, and industry leaders like Peter Vesterbacka, Harri Manninen, and Fawzi Mesmar.

The conference, a key event for gaming professionals, offers networking and knowledge-sharing opportunities, with dedicated areas for PC, console, indie, and mobile games. Side events include a mixer, main party, and various meetups.

New this year, Mobidictum has partnered with Turkish Airlines, offering discounted flights to Istanbul from October 8-23. Tickets are now available on the conference page, with options to suit various budgets. Don't miss out!

Apply to speak at the conference using this form.

For more information visit the conference website. IGDA Finland members get 15% using promo code: partner-IGDA

The first ever IGDA Finland Grant goes to the talented End-all Entertainment and their game Paradigm Island!

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Paradigm Island is a narrative RPG where everyday surrealism meets dry wit. In this game, you'll discover what kind of person you want to be, unravel a complex mystery by getting to know the people you meet along the way using your chosen skills, all while trying not to get lost in your own mind. 

All in all, we received a total of 24 game submissions, and Paradigm Island stood out as the perfect match for this Grant. Thank you to everyone who applied and shared their feedback! This is our first Grant event and all the feedback has been noted and helps us to improve.

 
 
 

EU Sustainability Disclosure Workshop

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The Sustainable Games Alliance (SGA) is organizing a webinar on July 11th at 11:00 to review the new EU sustainability disclosures and what is required from the games industry?

In this webinar, the Sustainable Games Alliance will survey the legislative landscape in Europe, and make sense of the alphabet soup of interlinked EU acts: the CSRD, the CSDDD, the ESRS and the Green Claims Directive. Each separate legislative act imposes new obligations on companies to either disclose sustainability strategy, metrics, risks and impacts (CSRD), ensure that entire supply chains are free from human rights violations and environmental harms (CSDDD), to providing the extremely complex and detailed framework for ESG data disclosures (ESRS), and regulating the types of sustainability claims that companies can make and the evidence required for each (Green Claims Directive).

The session is for game business decision-makers, and staff in the industry with sustainability or compliance responsibilities. The session will show how the SGA will simplify members’ compliance with EU legislation, and accelerate action across the games industry.

The Sustainable Games Alliance is a non-profit founded by the world’s leading game entrepreneurs and environmental researchers with one goal: to make the games industry the leader in sustainability by setting ambitious and achievable standards for environmental and social responsibility.

Visit the SGA website for more information: https://sustainablegamesalliance.org/

Sign up for the webinar here:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAsfuusrzkiHNKDrwvEvmeAn7eUhKuFq1yc#/registration

IGDA Finland Summer Meetups part 2

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Are you still wondering what to do this Summer? The IGDA Finland hubs are holding events all around Finland; from mini golfing to grilling and summer parties.

Kajaani

When: Tuesday, 25th of June at 18:00
What: Join us at Rantapuisto (or in case of bad weather, Rock House Kulma) for a get-together where we'll catch up with fellow community members and unwind after a long day. We'll bring our summer pal BBQ, you bring the snack to sizzle!
Where: Rantapuisto
More info: Event Page

Kymenlaakso (Kotka)

When: Thursday, 27th of June at 18:00
What: BBQ meetup at beautiful Jokipuisto in Kotka. Sausages and condiments are sponsored by the Finnish Game Jam and some non-alcoholic drinks are also provided! Feel free to also bring your own grillables as well! The afterparty is hosted by Kuura!
Where: Jokipuisto
More info: Event Page

Porvoo

When: Thursday, 18th of July at 18:00
What: Minigolf and Grilling! The event will be held as a private event in the Porvoo Minigolfkeskus. At the venue there will be minigolf, billiard, darts and a grill!
Access to minigolf, billiard and darts will be free of charge and for grilling there will be some sausages available, but please bring your own if you desire! The afterparty will be held at the Porvoo Game Club / IGDA Porvoo Club house!
Where: Porvoo Minigolfkeskus
More info: Event Page

Oulu

When: Friday, 19th of July
What: Teekkaritalo Summer Party
Where: Teekkaritalo
More info: Coming up on IGDA Finland Discord with the role “?Oulu”:
Discord

Lahti

When: Friday, 19th of July at 17:30
What: IGDA Lahti grill party, IGDA Lahti will provide grilled sausages to the event. You are also welcome to bring your own foods to grill.
Where: Pikku-Vesijärvi
More info: Link to event sign up

Helsinki

When: Tuesday, 13th of August at 17:00
What: Rovio Summer Party
Where: Maxine
More info: Coming soon

IGDA Finland has now a Linktree, find all our hubs in one place and special events like Leadership Day 2024!

IGDA Finland Summer Meetups Around Finland ☀️

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Many hubs will be having events during the summer, if you’re itching to meet new people or just curious to see what other hubs have to offer, now is a great time to do so!

 

Turku Hub

When: Tuesday, June 4 at 18.00
What: Fakefish is turning 10 years old this year and Turku gamedev community is organizing a “surprise” party (to which it is not much of a surprise now, is it? But FF team promised to be totally surprised as they arrive) with appreciation and celebration of their incredible journey!
Where: Aura riverside Saaristobaarin Kesäterassi (in case of rain the party will be moved to Saaristobaari at Aurakatu 14)
More info: Link

Kymenlaakso Hub in Kouvola

When: Thursday, June 6th at 18.00
What: Picnic
Where: Urheilupuisto in Kouvola
More info: Link

On the 27.6 Kotka will have a BBQ at 18:00 in Jokipuisto with afterparty at Kuura.

Lahti Hub

When: Friday, June 7th at 17.30
What: Picnic with a twist: Liha/Vihispiirakka Grill Party
Where: Pikku Vesijärvi
More info: Link

Oulu hub

When: Friday, 19.07.2024
What: Summer party
Where: Teekkaritalo
More info: Coming up on IGDA Finland Discord with the role “?Oulu”:
Discord

Kajaani Hub

Will be having events, which are most likely going to be a lot of outdoor activities.
Join their Discord Channel to know when the next upcoming event is:
Kajaani Discord



Free Monetization Workshop from Multiscription

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Multiscription is thrilled to announce its Indie Game Monetization Accelerator.

Led by industry experts, this program offers five comprehensive workshops to support participants with essential business knowledge and valuable industry connections.

The program begins on Thursday, May 30th, and is entirely free with no obligations. Participants who complete the program and integrate Unleashd can receive a €1000 "Go-To-Market" grant to support user acquisition and ensure a strong game launch.

“Indie developers are the driving force of innovation in the industry. Transforming a game idea into a successful business venture is an inspiring journey, and I am thrilled to announce the launch of our new program dedicated to supporting developers on this path.” - Teis Mikkelsen, CEO & Co-Founder of Multiscription

The program includes:

  • Expert-led Business Success Sessions: Strategies for sustainable profitability and diverse monetization.

  • Community Engagement and Peer Support: Open discussions and feedback sessions.

  • Guidance Towards Publisher Readiness: Finding the right publisher and effective monetization layering.

Multiscription is committed to helping game developers focus on creating their dream games by supporting their monetization efforts. The Accelerator is a significant step in this mission.

Schedule:

  • May 30, Thursday @ 15:00-16:00 CET - Crafting Your Business Strategy (Panel)
    Moderator: Teis Anker Mikkelsen
    Panelists: Sune Thorsen, Bhavin Sagar, Aysu Yildiz

    June 6, Thursday @ 15:00-16:00 CET - Monetization Mastery
    Teis Anker Mikkelsen

    June 13, Thursday @ 15:00-16:00 CET - Analytics for Indie Success
    Katla Hrund Björnsdóttir

    June 20, Thursday @ 15:00-16:00 CET - Marketing & Network Effect (Panel)
    Moderator: Teis Anker Mikkelsen
    Panelists: Sissel Morell Dargis & Ömer Yakabagi

    June 27, Thursday @ 15:00-16:00 CET - Publisher Partnerships 101
    Søren Lass & Markus Windelen

    July 4, Thursday @ 15:00-16:00 CET - Interactive Round Table
    Teis Anker Mikkelsen & TBD

For more information and to apply, visit the Multiscription Indie Accelerator Sign-Up page. The application deadline is 12:00 noon CET on Thursday, May 30, 2024.

Leadership Day: Call for Speakers

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Leadership Day by IGDA Finland explores how we build companies, teams and working cultures to make the best games. Offering often overlooked insights to game development, this event kicks of Finnish Games Week in Helsinki on September 30, 2024.

We invited you to share your expertise on leadership topics that define success in the industry. Whether it's building resilient companies, navigating team dynamics, embracing change, fostering accessibility, shaping corporate culture, guiding mentorship programs, managing stakeholders, optimizing remote work, nurturing communities, mediating conflicts, cultivating investor and publisher relations, strategizing outsourcing needs, championing corporate social responsibility, promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, or any other leadership topic that you are passionate about, we welcome your contribution.

Submissions should be made using this form by June 7, 2024.

For more information visit: https://www.igda.fi/leadership-day

Free Virtual Tickets to the GameExpo Summit in Dubai

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Interested in learning more about the MENA game market but can’t go to Dubai GamoExpo Summit powered by Pocket Gamer Connects. No worries. IGDA Finland will send you there virtually. We have 20 free online tickets. The conference is taking place this week May 1-2, 2024

The first 20 members who sign up using promo code VIRTMEDIA24 using the registration link will get free virtual tickets.

IGDA Finland Grant Intro

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It has been a bit over a month since we announced the IGDA Finland Grant. Lots of questions have been asked and a lot of them have been answered, we have also clarified some things.

If you have been unsure if you are eligible for the grant, then have a second look at it or ask us directly.

Thank you to everyone who sent us questions, we want to make this something that can help you in the last steps before release.

Got interested? Click here to find out more!

Retro Game Jam 2024

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Retro Game Jam 2024
Dates: May 17-19th, 2024
Location: Espoo Game LAB (A Grid, Otakaari 5, Espoo, Finland)

Retro Game Jam is for everyone interested in developing new games for older hardware. No prior experience on retro development is required, but we encourage to do some research of the platform of your choice before the jam.

There will be a selection of retro consoles with development tools available and of course you are welcome to bring your own. Mentoring help for getting started is available.

The jam will have a theme revealed on the spot. You can come alone or as a team. There will be short brainstorming and team forming session at the beginning. Espoo Game Hub is open for jamming around the clock. You are welcome to sleep on premises, but note that there are no sofas or anything provided by the location.

Please tell us if you have any special needs regarding movability, allergies etc. Please do not hesitate to ask anything from us! Everyone has access to the following:

  • Working space (table, chair, internet etc.)

  • Selection of retro consoles & televisions

  • Workshop / introduction to development hardware

  • Mentoring help for getting started

Discord server: https://discord.gg/FEgkQUJ8kV

List of hardware available for jammers by organizers:

  • Nintendo Game Boy / Game Boy Color with SD card reader

  • Nintendo Entertainment System with Mapper30 flash cart (NesMaker)

  • Nintendo Famicom with SD card reader

  • Nintendo Super Famicom with SD card reader

  • Nintendo 64 with SD card reader

  • Sega Mega Drive / Master System with SD card reader

  • Sega Saturn with SD card reader

  • Sega Dreamcast with SSD

  • Sony Playstation 1 with SD card reader

  • Sony PocketStation

  • NEC PC-Engine with SD card reader

  • Neo Geo Pocket with SD card reader

  • WonderSwan with SD card reader

  • Vectrex with SD card reader

  • MSX with CF card reader

  • Oscilloscope with PC connectors

  • CRT televisions

    This is primarily on-site game jam.     You are welcome to jam via Discord too, but we do not stream opening ceremony or organize team building in Discord. Submissions are open for everyone in Itch.io page. Register to the jam below!

JOIN THE JAM

Leadership Day: Call for Speakers

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Save the date for Leadership Day by IGDA Finland: September 30, 2024! This international event explores the company structures, team dynamics, and working cultures that make the best games, offering insights to vital but often overlook aspects of game development.

The call for speakers is open. Share your expertise on leadership topics such as team building, change management, DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion), accessibility, corporate culture, mentoring, CSR (corporate social responsibility), stakeholder management, remote team/company management, community management, conflict resolution, investor/publisher relations, outsourcing, or any leadership topic that you are passionate about. The deadline for applications is June 7, 2024.

Got an idea for a talk, a series of lightning talks, or a panel discussion that needs some fleshing out? Contact us at leadership (at) igda (dot) fi for support.

For more information visit: https://www.igda.fi/leadership-day

IGDA Finland Hub Highlight: Kajaani

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Burning straw goats and the booming games industry are some of the things Kajaani is known for, but how did this seemingly middle-of-nowhere hub become what it is today? Let’s find out!

In this first part of our hub highlight we dive into IGDA Kajaani, to find out who are they and why you should definitely visit their hub. We asked Kajaanis hub lead Tuomas Vartiainen to tell us a bit about their hub.

How did your hub get started and how old is it?
The IGDA Kajaani hub was founded in 2015, and it originally replaced an event called Industry Beer, where locals from the gamedev community gathered in Rock House Kulma, but now has grown into a much larger portion of the Kajaani gamedev culture.

What makes your hub special?
Our location comes with a fairly unique ecosystem with game companies and study opportunities. Kajaani is also just located very out of the way, despite that numerous people gather here to develop games within a healthy and good community. We always come up with new things to make our events more interesting and allow everyone to get involved.

What are some of the events, achievements, or other causes your hub is proud of?
For one of our more recent game jams, we collaborated with our local library to hold a game jam where children can take part in the development process by drawing in-game characters for the jammers to use. Yle News also ended up writing a couple of articles about the game jam.

What have been some of the struggles your hub has faced? Or anything you would wish to have?
Covid was the toughest struggle. Our hub was among the first to move online only, and we offered online seminars and meet-ups but of course people missed face-to-face meet-ups.
Our team of volunteers started out very small (3-4 people), so when people could not volunteer it had a large impact. Thankfully our volunteer team has grown a lot after Covid.

It has also been difficult to create a permanent feeling culture as students often have to move away after graduation due to the limited work market.

Where can people follow or find your hub?
You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Discord, they are all updated actively with our upcoming events!

Currently, Kajaani has 19 volunteers, and game companies such as  Critical Force & Black Smoke Studios are located in Kajaani.

Join the IGDA Game Accessibility SIG's European Conference

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The IGDA Game Accessibility Special Interest Group volunteers have worked since 2003 to aid the game industry in making games accessible for all, regardless of impairments or other limitations. The European conference is a hybrid event taking place in London and online April 22-23. Tickets for the streamed content and networking in Discord are free, but you must register in order to get the link for the remote networking.

For more information visit the IGDA Game Accessibility SIG webpage or the conference registration page.