October Gathering: More good times at Cuba Cafe

Cheerful group of game developers gathered once again to Cuba Café. In October 112 attendees joined the Gathering. Finnish game companies are doing nicely despite the slight economic downturn. Still bad news from Sulake, the company behind Habbo Hotel, definitely was the topic of the evening. There was a constant flow of people through the evening and besides Sulake discussions went around Nordic Game applications. Many have applied development funds from Nordic Game Program and hopefully more than few will get some. More about that in December! During last spring and this fall we have had an interesting trend in the attendance records. Every month we get new visitors, warmly welcome! We have also increasing number of anonymous visitors. Why is that? Don't people want to be informed (aka to be in the mailing list) or do they prefer other channels like Facebook to keep on track of what's up within Finnish Game Development scene? If anyone is willing to open up your reasoning for anonymity, I would be very interested to hear.

We have also got feedback that you like IGDA Finland Presentations sessions but there could also be more something to do and play at the bar. We hear you and have already done some improvements. IGDA Finland Game League is slowly starting and it is basically up to you what you would like it to be. If you have good ideas and suggestions talk to the main organized Kari Perho! Also we are inviting all game studios to present their games at the Gatherings. We can organize playing sessions, short presentations, surveys, discussions... again it is up to you what you would like IGDA events to be like! Please contribute :)

We have had very good start of the season. We hope to see many of you again at the Presentations and at Cuba Cafe on 17th of November. We will have kick-ass program for you!

Here are more good moments from October Gathering.

September Gathering: Social break for game industry enthusiasts

IGDA Finland season 2009-2010 start focused on gaming in social networks. Social gaming, free drinks and top quality discussions attracted 149 visitors to the September Gathering. The evening was sponsored by Everyplay -- the same company that sponsored IGDA Gathering almost a year ago. The CEO of Everyplay, Jussi Laakkonen reminded us that last time his message regarding Everyplay's recruitment needs apparently did not reach the audience but the message is still the same. If you are interested in working with social gaming and/or social networks -- get in touch with Everyplay.

Everyplay is currently working on Kamu World which can be found at Facebook. Kamu is still under development and Everyplay is also starting other projects. There is plenty of room for new entrepreneurs as the genre of social network games is still far for being totally defined and settled.

Besides Everyplay there are lots of interesting activities going on in Finnish game development scene. The editor-in-chief of Pelaaja (Player) magazine, Thomas Puha shortly introduced September issue of the magazine which is focusing on Finnish game studios. There articles cover for example RedLynx which is doing very well with Trials HD and gives a snapshot of game studios like Inaria Interactive, Farmind and Pixolane representing Northern Finland.

A bit different social activity -- IGDA Finland Game League started operating as well. IGDA Finland Game League will bring hottest DS, PSP, mobile and board games for people who want to play some games during the evening. More information will be available through Igda.fi site. Look for "IGDA Finland Game League" sign if you want to join the fun!

Get a sense of the IGDA vibe though the photos and see you next time!

The next event will be on 6th of October, see you all at Cuba (Erottaja, Helsinki)!

October Gathering: A breather

IGDA FINLAND OCTOBER GATHERINGPlace: Cuba Bar, Erottajankatu 4, 00120 Helsinki (map: http://igda.fi/?page_id=5) Time: Tuesday, 6th of October, doors open at 19:00

Time to catch breath in good company while the holiday season is still months away. No-one stealing the stage or pushing you excessive free drinks this time! So grab some colleagues and spend a well-deserved pre-Wednesday testing you mettle in boasting, toasting and rumor swapping.

Also, in the spirit of relaxation we present:

Casual Game Night Bring your favourites and come and tell us what you want to see in upcoming game nights. The main focus is on the DS but we love all games, so be brave.

Expect more details about the event later.

September Gathering: The future of gaming according to Everyplay and drinks!

[Fanfare] It is time for IGDA Finland season start! Everyplay will talk about game development for social network services, show Kamu World community and offer some drinks. Wohoo! IGDA Finland Game League will start, too. The game league will be run by Mr. Kari Perho at the back of the bar. Kari will give you more detailed information about the league at the September gathering. On top of all - we will have special price drawing going on later in the evening. See you at Cuba on Tuesday September the 8th!

IGDA FINLAND SEPTEMBER GATHERING Place: Cuba Bar, Erottajankatu 4, 00120 Helsinki (map: http://igda.fi/?page_id=5) Time: Tuesday, 8th of September, doors open at 19:00

In June IGDA Finland wanted to thank our volunteers by providing movie theater gaming. Sello Bio Rex was all ours from 11PM until next morning. NES, PS3 and Xbox 360 games were impressive on big screens and people enjoyed the experience so much that we'll organize another session this fall. This time we might have 3D-gaming as well! If you want to attend, follow Igda.fi to learn more.

IGDA Finland staff joined several games related events also in August. IGDA Finland was well represented at Assembly 09. We didn’t have any special IGDA agenda at the event but enjoyed quality demos, music and graphics compos. Also we started collaborating with Jolly Dragon, the organizer of Social Gaming nights. Their concept is to bring gaming to the pubs and show that gaming is social and fun. Social Gaming nights take place at Willi Wäinö every Tuesday, starting at 7PM. So far gaming has mainly focused on Nintendo Wii games and poker. Follow

Social Gaming Facebook group if you want to know more.

At the end of August IGDA Finland organized a picnic at Sinebrychoff Park. That was the first time for such outdoor activity and we learned good lessons.

Lesson nr. 1: weather-wise it is too risky to organize a picnic at the end of August. Lesson 2: We need a bigger flag! It had been raining for the most of the week so the grass was soaking wet. Instead of sitting on the puddle, we moved the picnic to the benched at the side of the park. And there we have it - lesson 3: don’t pick a spot which is famous for being a drunkards place. It was totally ok except that it totally changed the atmosphere from picnic chill out to shady hangout. The rest of the evening was well spent at Punavuoren Ahven. Despite of bad luck with the weather, we had a blast - thanks to all who joined us!

We have learned our lessons and will organize IGDA Finland picnic also next summer. Yes, earlier in the summer, with sunny weather, super cool canopy, music and huge IGDA flag :)

Season Start Picnic & September Gathering Invitation

IGDA Finland pub nights start rolling from 8th of September. Before that we'll arrange a picnic at the Sinebrychoff park. See you there on Thursday! To catch the waning summer warmth, join us at the IGDA Finland picnic on Thursday the 27th of August. Spawn point at Sinebrychoff Park will trigger around 18:00. Bring your own drinks, snacks and friends who haven’t been introduced to IGDA yet.

IGDA Finland will provide some blankets and we’ll have an IGDA flag on location to help you to find us. Check the blog and Facebook group for weather updates. You can still RSVP on Facebook.

After the picnic, the first IGDA Finland pub night will be on September the 8th at Cuba. The evening is sponsored by Everyplay. Everyplay will present Kamu World and provide drinks! IGDA Finland Game League will also start running from September. Join us at Cuba on 8th of September to learn more about gaming in social networks and IGDA Finland Game League!

IGDA FINLAND SEASON START PICNIC Place: Sinebrychoff Park, Bulevardi 40, Helsinki Time: Thursday, 27th of August, starts around 18:00

IGDA FINLAND SEPTEMBER GATHERING Place: Cuba Bar, Erottajankatu 4, 00120 Helsinki (map: http://igda.fi/?page_id=5) Time: Tuesday, 8th of September, doors open at 19:00