Website engine update incoming [done]

In the wake of our recent activation of news commenting, we're rolling out extensive updates to all our key systems related to security, bugs and layout fixes. There might some downtime and/or oddities during 23:00-24:00 GMT +2, so please bear with us. *edit: Updates nearly done! Notice the new indicator on news posts displaying the number of comments. We're still tweaking things here and there, but no further downtime or critical view bugs should occur. Thank you for your patience.

P.S. If you run in to any bugs, please either leave a comment in this post or hit us via mail (webmaster at igda.fi)! We also accept feature requests.

October Gathering: housewarming party with lappish flavor

[singlepic=297,320,240,,center] IGDA Finland Gatherings moved to Cuba café and in October it was the time for housewarming party. With 185 visitors out of which 37 were newcomers the house surely was hot – packed full! Cuba staff didn’t quite get the idea of IGDA at first. They were expecting just a couple of geeks playing video games at the back and were surprised when people start floating in. Recoil, Rovio, Sumea, Sulake, Bugbear, Everyplay and Remedy were all present amongst others.

Move from the heavy metal basement of System Rock to more colorful, cheerful and cosy Cuba café was apparently well accepted. The housewarming party was sponsored by Lapland Studio which is a post-production house and game company in one. They showed an impressive show reel and talked a bit about their services. In a nutshell Lapland Studio is interested in collaboration with game companies who need high class concept art, 3D animations and motion capture. If you missed the presentation, Lapland Studio has a new web site with lots of examples of their current work.

Besides chatting about Lapland Studio, people were eagerly expecting Max Payne movie to hit the theatres. There were rumors that brand new Alan Wake trailer will be showing before the movie but only during the opening weekend? Check out by yourself if that is true! Good discussion and excellent mojitos kept the house full until the closing signal. Luckily there are several after party places nearby such as Rymy-Eetu, Ahjo or Erottaja. We had a blast! The next gathering is on 11th November – see you then!

Commenting opened up to the public!

The vote has been cast we have opened up commenting for everyone to use! We decided to promote activity in igda.fi and want you to participate by telling us your impressions on the topic at hand. Please note that you do not need to register to comment (you can if you want to reserve your very own nick name!), but we will moderate all unregistered commenters to avoid spam. Also, we will not post any invitations, reminders or AARs to the forums. Keep an eye out for the Facebook invites, tho!

Remember, commenting not only increases your sex appeal, but makes you look smart, too!

September Gathering: Farewell System Rock

[singlepic=337,120,90,,right] Media has been full of news about global economical recession. Unfortunately game industry is not free of its impact even though the editor in chief of Pelit-lehti said that the economic slump is always good for the game industry because people tend to stick indoors playing games during the insecure times instead of spending their money elsewhere ;)

[singlepic=338,120,90,,left]

Luckily the worries didn't show in attendance to the September IGDA Gathering which attracted nearly 100 visitors. The casual chat went from challenges in the gaming industry and global economics to funding, networking and interesting game releases. For example Little Big Planet is around the corner. Also Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning was one of the releases people were eagerly waiting for. There are number of things happening in Finland as well but we have still some way to go until large domestic productions such a Alan Wake will be finalized.

Thank you all who joined the Gathering in September and be sure to join the party again on 7th October. October Gathering will be the "housewarming party" at Cuba bar sponsored by Lapland Studio.

IGDA together with its partners has also been planning exciting program for November and December Gatherings. Mark the coming Gatherings to your calendar and follow the IGDA forum and web site to keep track with the news.

October Gathering - Tuesday 7th

¡BIENVENIDO A CUBA! IGDA Finland goes to Cuba on 7th October. System Rock will soon be closed due to the Makkaratalo renovation. But no worries, from now on IGDA gatherings will be held at Cuba Café at Erottaja. Its going to be a lot of arriba! arriba! and couple of mojitos, por favor!

The Cuba housewarming party will have special program as well as sponsored drinks by Lapland Studio.

Remember to put next IGDA Gathering to your calendar and join us for the fiesta!

*IGDA FINLAND OCTOBER GATHERING* Time: Tuesday 7th October, doors open at 19.00 Place: Cuba Café, Erottajankatu 4, 00120 Helsinki (map)