Zombies, women gamers and good 8-bit vibes at the Cuba

IGDA Finland February Gathering was action-packed! We had women gamers' group (Pelinaiset) visiting us, Finnish Game Jam awards were announced and Tuomas Karmakallio arranged anticipated 8-bit music quiz. Also some serious Lipshack partying and 8-bit gaming too place during the evening. Good stuff! "Meet the (women) Gamers" was organized in collaboration with Microsoft Xbox Live. A big hand to Microsoft for offering drinks to all the ladies! Thus it was no wonder that we had a full house: the number of registered visitors rise up to 145. Super!

But who are these zombies in the photo? Read more to find out!

We had also little excitement within the evening. Everything worked as smoothly as always with Cuba Cafe but this time the microphone had gone missing! Luckily our technical mastermind Joona Pulliainen came up with an alternative solution to use iPhone as a microphone. And it worked perfectly! See the picture :)

The first ever Finnish Game Jam (FGJ) took place during the previous weekend. Finnish Game Jam coordinator team survived the weekend and came to IGDA Gathering to announce the Jury's and Jammers' Choices of FGJ. The competition was fierce and there was only one vote difference between the first and the second one! The winner was Kuuasema team featuring Eevi Korhonen and their game Grow Up! Jury's choice was Zombie growling game "Play Dead 2: The Growling of the Dead". Both games are available through Finnish Game Jam site.

Besides the awards ceremony, 8-bit gaming was on through the night at the back of the bar, there was also a good queue to Lipshack and women gamers were networking with game developers and sharing some valuable input of their gaming preferences.

More photos from the event can be found from IGDA Finland photo archive.

Whooo-Yeaaaah! “The Best IGDA ever!”

The first IGDA Finland Gathering in 2010 was held on 12th of January. Even if it was freezing cold outside, Café Cuba provided cozy warmth indoors. The beginning of a year has typically been a bit quieter compared to the fall season. So it was also in January 2010. Instead of 150 persons we had just little over 70 persons joining the IGDA party. Then again we all know that it is not about the number of people but the explosive atmosphere! Besides having good time (special thanks to Eevi Korhonen for the great kick off! :D) – and goofing, also business and networking wise the evening was a good one. New contacts were made and potential partnerships started. Thank you everyone for the great party! Whooo-yeeaaaah!

More photos from the event: Igda Finland photo archive.

The Finnish Game Jam crew was also present promoting the first Finnish Game Jam! The 48 hours Jam session will start already on 29th January! It is not yet too late to join the fun!

"Amazing weekend of game jamming is approaching! You have still some time to register to the event which will be participated from 129 locations and 37 countries! The registration to Finnish Game Jam is in process and continues until 25th of January, 16:00. The weekend is surely an unforgettable experience. Do not miss your chance to be a part of it!"

Hop on by registering here: http://finnishgamejam.fi/registration

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.