Are You the Next UA Superstar?

The Games Growth Hacker program aims to train new UA and mobile marketing talent for the Finnish gaming industry. 

During the program, trainees will work full time for 6 months at gaming companies and go through an 18-day training program held by industry professionals from companies such as Google, Rovio, Yousician, and Seriously.

No previous experience in UA, mobile marketing, or growth hacking is required. This program will train the participants, however applicants must be Finnish and unemployed to qualify. This is a good opportunity for unemployed members because past experience in the games industry, demonstrating a passion for games, and a positive attitude will help during the selection process. 

For more information visit: http://www.digitalexcellenceacademy.fi/koulutustrackit/games-growth-hacker/ 

Application deadline: June 4th

Wargaming Party 2017 and Bus Transportation Registration

Wargaming will be sponsoring bus transportation to the Parola Tank Museum from IGDA Finland Hubs. The buses are being coordinated by your local IGDA hubs.

In order to ensure a spot on a bus please do the following:

1. Register for the Wargaming 2017 Party on Eventbrite (registration is now closed)
2. Once you have a ticket to the event, register for bus transportation via one of the forms below.
3. Bus registrations are individual, you cannot reserve bus seats for multiple people.
4. Only register if you know for sure you can attend.

Bus transportation registration is now closed.

Bus transportation is free of charge, however a small fee of 5 euros will be collected from participants in Parola and donated to the Parola Tank Museum.

More info about the Wargaming Party 2017 here: https://www.igda.fi/new-events/2017/wargaming-party-2017

Finnish Game Awards 2017 - summary

Last evening at incredible Finnish Game Awards gala, "IGDA Finland Volunteer of the Year 2016" award went to - one and only - Minna Eloranta!!!

More detailed information about the awards and event can be found at Neogames-pages:

http://www.neogames.fi/suomen-peliparhaimmisto-palkittiin-the-finnish-game-awards-gaalassa/

IGDA Finland is recruiting coordinators

IGDA Finland is entirely run by volunteer staff, which means all of our activities – most importantly gatherings and presentations – are brought to life by the talent and passion of a group of individuals willing to invest their time and effort for the good of the industry. There are no paychecks but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t pay well: you get to meet awesome people, gain industry contacts and valuable experience. (Occasionally there will be fun and games too!) Right now we have a few open positions so if this sounds like something you’re interested in, don’t hesitate to email us!

Lead Coordinator

• The Lead Coordinator of IGDA Finland Helsinki is an active and motivated leader. You get energy from the success of others. To succeed as a Lead Coordinator, you have already proved your leading skills, either in the industry or in other circumstances. Previous experience working with volunteer teams is a big plus. This role will get guidance from the IGDA Finland Board on a monthly basis.
• Responsibility: Main responsibility of monthly gatherings in Helsinki including event production and sponsor communication, managing coordinators in Helsinki
• Needed time: 5h-10h / week
• Needed xp: team lead 2-5 years, knowledge of industry
• Contact: Minna Eloranta, minna.eloranta@igda.fi

Event Coordinator

• IGDA Finland Helsinki events are the biggest continuous game industry events in Finland. We are now searching for an exceptional individual, who can withstand the pressure of organizing events in a timely manner. This person has already experience in organizing multiple events and is self-driven. The Lead Coordinator will support and manage this role.
• Responsibility: organize gatherings, communicate with sponsors
• Needed time: 3-5h / week
• Needed xp: organizing any events 1-2 years in major role
• Contact: Jori Hellstedt, jori.hellstedt@igda.fi

We also want to thank our outgoing Lead- and Event Coordinators, Minna Eloranta and Jori Hellstedt for their hard work, positive spirit and hands-on input, and wish them all the best for their future adventures.

Introducing IGDA Finland Vaasa Hub

Vaasa game development scene is ready to take the next step. There has been a lot bubbling under in Ostrobothnia in recent years. One of the most visible parts being Vaasa Game Days, an annual event combining both consumer and professional sides in one enthralling game fair. And of course: there are plenty of people developing games!

With units from six different Universities and the strong entrepreneurial mindset of the people of Ostrobothnia, it´s only natural to have game companies and teams eager to become one. Until now, everyone has been busy developing their own things and not had the time to join the efforts. But now it´s time to make the game development scene in Vaasa visible to the world. Currently the game industry development in Vaasa region is coordinated by West Coast Startup, a joint business incubator of Vaasa University of Applied Sciences and University of Vaasa.

The first gathering amongst local game developers was organized in early 2015, together with Ostrobothnia Game Industry Facebook group, and since then there´s been regular meetings. What´s also going on at the moment, is building a game cluster together with developers from all around Ostrobothnia. In the beginning of April, a pilot project started with Yle Pohjanmaa, in order to hopefully build Vaasa Game Lab inside Yle´s premises, and actively scout and test new collaboration methods. The ultimate goal is to build a safe haven for all game developers, researchers and other parties to collaborate, network and test out new things. Being part of the IGDA family is an essential part of that. And now, the first step has been taken.

The Vaasa scene is thrilled to be part of a global network of game developers and welcomes all enthusiasts to join the hub. Find out more on the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/igdavaasa/