IGDA Finland Presented Volunteer of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Awards at Finnish Game Awards

On the 21th of May, we celebrated the Finnish Game Awards alongside Neogames and Suomen Pelinkehittäjät ry, with awards presented in two categories this year.

The first category was the IGDA Volunteer of the Year. This award was given to our amazing volunteer, Joni Paasikivi, your dedication to community building and bringing amazing old CRT TVs to the venue every Sunday has created a welcoming space where people can connect, have fun, and feel included.

The second category was the Lifetime Award, which recognizes long-term dedication and contributions to our community. This year, the award was presented to Emma Von Munthe Af Morgenstierne Vantaa, for their dedication to keeping our website up to date, managing our social media, and ensuring our community stays informed about events across Finland.

Thank you both for your invaluable contributions, IGDA Finland is truly lucky to have you among us!

Also a big congrats to the rest of all the winners:
W Love Games Excellence Award 2025: Paradigm Island (End-all Entertainment)
Bit1 Game Competition 2026: My Tennis Apocalypse (Dappal Interactive)
Jampion of the Year 2025: Noora Archer
Best IP Expansion 2025: Cities: Skylines II (Colossal Order)
Rookie of the Year 2025: Kokoon Games
Power Player of the Year 2025: Valtteri (Wanda) Lahti
Business Excellence Award 2025: Clash Royale (Supercell)
Best Creative Achievement of the Year 2025: Sektori (Kimmo Factor)
Finnish Game of the Year 2025: The Last Caretaker (Channel37)

And thank you Neogames and Suomen Pelinkehittäjät ry, for yearly organizing the Finnish Game Awards!

Photo’s taken by Katariina Salmi

Finland Game Talent Fair debuts in Helsinki on April 23

Finland Game Talent Fair debuts in Helsinki on April 23, convening AI, investment, and talent to align on emerging tech and Indie showcase. 

The first-ever Finland Game Talent Fair will take place on Thursday, April 23, 2026 at Helsinki City Hall (Pohjoisesplanadi 11–13), bringing together AI experts, investors, game industry professionals, and indie studios for an onsite day focused on industry alignment around emerging technology especially how AI is reshaping production, creativity, and the business of games. 

Organized by Games Factory Talents, the event’s content centers on AI in games and investment decision-making, paired with an indie studios showcase and structured networking designed to connect the people building, funding, and scaling the next wave of game technology. 

What to expect

Attendees can expect a focused, practical program that includes:

• Expert perspectives on AI usage in the game industry today 

• Insights into what investors and publishers look for when choosing games to publish or invest in 

• Participating companies will have mini stands that attendees can network with. 

• An indie studios game showcase, so you can try out their games and discuss about their open roles. 

• Careers Zone matches attendees with career opportunities and gives chance for face to face interviews with the hiring companies in a dedicated room. 

• Individual CV and Portfolio reviews with industry professionals. 

AI in Games 

“AI in games doesn’t have to be a threat to creative work… The best studios treat AI like any other tool: clear rules, ethical sourcing, respect for IP, and human ownership of creative decisions,” the event organizers note, alongside a statement from Ikka Paananen of Supercell: “AI will boost games not break them.” (Financial Times)

Attendance is limited and registration is required.

Registration to the event is required. There will be only 350 places available, so there is a chance you will not be admitted to attend. Register your ticket in advance on the website. 

Careers Zone offers an opportunity for attendees who are actively looking for a job to create a job seeker profile and book face to face interviews at a dedicated spot at the event. 

Game Talent Fair will feature the presentation of the Great Place to Work in Games Award, handed out onsite a moment dedicated to recognizing a Finnish games company that stands out for how it builds and sustains a great workplace culture, and to spotlight the people practices that help teams thrive as the industry navigates rapid technological change. 

https://gamesfactorytalents.com/game-talent-fair-finland-2026

IGDA Finland Presented Volunteer of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Awards at Finnish Game Awards

On May 13th, we celebrated the Finnish Game Awards alongside Neogames and Suomen Pelinkehittäjät ry, with awards presented in two categories this year.

The first category was the IGDA Volunteer of the Year. This award was given to our amazing volunteer, Daria Bokovaya, who has actively contributed to the reawakening and refinement of the Chat Corner concept, and continues that humble and impactful work even today.

The second category was the Lifetime Award, which recognizes long-term dedication and contributions to our community. This year, the award was presented to Christopher Hamilton, who has been with us for many years and continues to make incredible events like Leadership Day and Finnish Games Week possible.

Thank you both for your invaluable contributions, IGDA Finland is truly lucky to have you among us!

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Also a big congrats to the rest of all the winners:
Mainframe Industries for winning the Finnish Game of the Year 2024 award with the game Pax Dei.
Makea Games for taking the second place with the game Supermoves.
Fingersoft / LEGO Hill Climb Adventures, Ranela Games Oy / Finnish Cottage Simulator and Supercell / Squad Busters for placing third.
Ilkka Paananen for receiving the Power Player of the Year 2024 award.
Hanki Games Oy for being the Rookie of the Year 2024.
Ranela Games Oy / Finnish Cottage Simulator for winning the Excellence Award for best indie game awarded by W Love Games
Ali İrdiren for becoming the Jampion of the Year, awarded by Finnish Game Jam
Team Scavenger for winning the Bit1 Student Game Competition 2025, with their game Spaceship Scavenger.

The full game awards ceremony can be watched from Youtube.

The first ever IGDA Finland Grant goes to the talented End-all Entertainment and their game Paradigm Island!

Paradigm Island is a narrative RPG where everyday surrealism meets dry wit. In this game, you'll discover what kind of person you want to be, unravel a complex mystery by getting to know the people you meet along the way using your chosen skills, all while trying not to get lost in your own mind. 

All in all, we received a total of 24 game submissions, and Paradigm Island stood out as the perfect match for this Grant. Thank you to everyone who applied and shared their feedback! This is our first Grant event and all the feedback has been noted and helps us to improve.

IGDA Future at Assembly 2023

As previous year, we are delighted to welcome you to the workshops and seminars at Assembly 2023, organized by IGDA Future program of IGDA Finland!

To sign up for the workshops, feel free to use this form, but also ad hoc attendance is possible.

Check full program of Assembly Creative Zone and welcome to the party of the year!