IGDA Finland Goes Tampere - the journey there and back

IGDA Finland went to Tampere and what can I say… It was a BLAST! GREAT! HECTIC! TASTY! FUN! Over 200 people joined the party at Jack the Rooster bar, IGDA Finland's home-away-from-home. We had a "Transfluent sponsored" bus full of people from Helsinki. Also all sorts of vehicles reached Tampere from the directions of Pori, Outokumpu and Jyväskylä on 4th of October. Tampere game development scene, Neogames and Uusi Tehdas welcomed us warmly. We had everything from free ice cream to Ernest Adams' talk, accompanied with spicy food, sponsored drinks and great company!

Tampere game development scene sure is growing. The following companies were sponsoring the evening: Imgsystems, Autodesk, Musta-Pekka, Colossal Order, Kyy Games, Traplight Games, InnoGiant, Prank Entertainment and 10Tons and Transfluent from Helsinki. Give these people a big hand!

For those who weren't there: here's is a quick introduction to Tampere game development scene. Better take a good look at these names to be sure you at least know what hit you!

10tons - founded in 2003. Develops casual quality games for several platforms. Next big thing is Azkend 2 to be released at the end of the year!

Tampere-based Innogiant is a small studio concentrating on game-porting and other contracting services. Innogiant is focusing fully on technological contracting services. Their latest project was the Windows Phone 7 version of the popular Angry Birds game by Finnish Rovio.

PRANK is an independent game developer of ambitious SPACE-MONKEYS sharing years of experience in the industry. The team of (house)trained primates has a long track record of games developed for world famous brands and globally leading publishers of the 21st century, but most importantly, they are passionate gamers.

Colossal Order Ltd is an independent game development studio located in Tampere, Finland. Founded in 2009 by experienced developers and serious fans of the genre, the company focuses on original IP strategy and simulation games for PC platform. Colossal Order released their first title Cities in Motion early 2011.

Kyy Games is a company specializing in iPhone/iPad and other mobile games and applications. We are located in Tampere, Finland.

Traplight Games focuses on iOS games and has released The Hero for iPhone.

Imgsystems is software and system expert for creative industry. The core activity is to deliver best possible software and platforms from artists to production environments.

Musta-Pekka

Autodesk, Inc., is a leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software.

Helsinki based Transfluent offers fully-automated service of effortless, near real-time professional translation to social media feeds and websites. They just won MindTrek Grand Prix 2011!

All Tampere photos can be browsed here!

Thanks everyone for coming and see you on November the 8th!

IGDA Finland October Gathering - IGDA goes Tampere!

Hello fellow game developers! For the first time ever IGDA Finland Gathering will be organized outside Helsinki on October 4th. w00t!
(Photo by: Joe Carroll / Flickr)

Transfluent sponsors bus transportation from Helsinki to Tampere and local game studios sponsor drinks at the IGDA Finland Gathering at Jack the Rooster pub! Join us to an exciting trip to Tampere, learn more about local game development scene and party!

Registration: Binding reservations to the bus (sponsored by Transfluent) (leaves at 4PM from Helsinki, and will be back in Helsinki around 2.30-3AM!)

You can also come by car, bus, trains or plane. Jack the Rooster and Uusi Tehdas are within walking distance from the bus and railway station.

Register to the event at Jack the Rooster (sponsored by Imgsystems, Autodesk, Colossal Order, Kyy Games, Traplight Games, InnoGiant, Prank Entertainment and 10Tons).

What's going to happen in Tampere: 6.15 PM Welcome to Uusi tehdas by Director Petri Räsänen (Väinö Linnan Aukio 15, 3rd floor) 6.30-7.15 PM Ernest Adams on Game Design 7.30-7.35 PM Manse Games - what's that? 7.35-8 PM Chill out, drinks and snacks at the Uusi Tehdas 8 PM Pub night starts at Jack the Rooster (Satakunnankatu 13B) 8.30-8.45 PM Sponsor presentations: Imgsystems, Autodesk, Colossal Order, Kyy Games, Traplight Games, InnoGiant, Prank Entertainment and 10Tons

-00.30 AM Party!

IGDA FINLAND OCTOBER GATHERING Place: Jack the Rooster, Satakunnankatu 13 B, Tampere (map) Time: Tuesday, 4th of October, doors open at 8PM

IGDA Finland June Gathering: MotoHeroz & Rochard

It was certainly an amazing summer party so for those who missed it here are some highlights. As always the party was rocking with 207 attendees hanging out and enjoying the cool music and sweet vibes at Cuba bar.

Redlynx presented their WiiWare game MotoHeroz, Monster Trucks Nitro 2 as well as recently released 1000 Heroz a iOS platform game. Additionally they had huge sneak peek for everyone showing Trials Evolutions coming off the critically acclaimed Trials HD. Redlynx is also working on Draw Race 2!

On top of all that surprise guest Recoil had a special treat for everyone. They showed Rochard a side scrolling platformer. It will be available this summer on the Playstation Network.

So as you all go on your holidays everyone here at IGDA Finland would like to wish you a happy summer and see you in the Fall! Oh and don't forget to check out MotoHeroz on WiiWare and Rochard on Playstation Network.

IGDA Finland June Gathering aka Summer Party!

Hi everyone! Summer is here and IGDA Finland Summer Party is just weeks away. This year IGDA Finland Summer Party is organized together with Redlynx!

Many of you have enjoyed Trials HD and Monster Trucks Nitro but what's cooking next? Come to Cuba bar to find out! Redlynx will also be offering some summer drinks.

After June Gathering it is time to wish you enjoyable and fun summer holidays! See you in Fall 2011!

IGDA FINLAND JUNE GATHERING Place: Cuba Bar, Erottajankatu 4, 00120 Helsinki (map: http://igda.fi/?page_id=5) Time: Tuesday, 14th of June, doors open at 19:00

IGDA Finland May Gathering: Uplause and Housemarque in the spotlight

In case you missed it May's Gathering was a smashing success. Cuba was fully packed again with 180 partygoers. We know it already but those who don't: IGDA Finland Gathering is so cool that people come to IGDA Finland Gatherings all over the world. This time we had visitors from Canada (Jason Della Rocca / Perimeter Partners) and the US (Jeferson Valadares / Flurry) ;) Naturally also the crème de la crème of Finnish game industry was there from IGDA Affiliate studios and Industry Partners to cool IGDA student club from Tampere (Score) and Turku area, guys from Remedy, Kuuasema (they just released their 1st game Supersonic), Digital Chocolate, Housemarque, Turmoil Games and so on and so on! Wow! What a night! Thanks everyone!

More photos from the May Gathering.

We had double feature from Uplause and Housemarque. Uplause is innovative games startup. They do Massively Multiplayer Audience Games meaning that they bring simple games to mass audience in concerts, nightclubs, hockey games and other mass events. IGDA visitors were able to try out Blackjack á la Uplause. In their version players needed to shout if they wanted another card. That’s social for sure and a lot of fun as well!

Housemarque released their highly appraised Outland at the end of April and were kind enough to give IGDA visitors a chance to see what it is all about. At IGDA May Gathering super-pretty Outland represented totally different gaming experience from Uplause audience games. On top of that Uplause and Housemarque were sponsoring drinks!

Uplause party challenge:

Housemarque's Outland

Next IGDA Finland Gathering is on 14th of June right after E3 expo. We have something special for you also in June! See you then! After June IGDA goes to summer holidays and will be back in Autumn 2011.