IGDA Helsinki November Meetup
Nov
10
5:00 PM17:00

IGDA Helsinki November Meetup

IGDA Helsinki Presents:
November Meetup with Next Games, A Netflix Games Studio
10.11.2026

Winter is coming… As is our next Meetup! So join us for our IGDA Helsinki November Meetup, and beat the cold weather with the help of Next Games, A Netflix Games Studio!

📣 Note: No pre-registration is required to join our Meetup.

WHAT:
IGDA Helsinki November Meetup with Next Games, A Netflix Games Studio

WHEN:
Tuesday 10.11
Doors open at 17
Program starts at 17:45

WHERE:
Maxine, Kamppi shopping center, 6th floor (Elevators can be found on the E-floor, between Jungle Juice Bar and Rax). Note that Maxine is a 18+ venue, hence you must be 18+ years of age to attend.

PROGRAM:
Intro and Opening Words by Studio Operations Director Juha Matikainen.

“Zero Installs, Infinite Surfaces: Web Tech In Netflix Games” by Principal Software Architect Matias Ärje.

Matias will discuss how Netflix utilizes web technologies in their game portfolio, where web tech fits especially well and how it compares to traditional game engines.

🕹️ Wanna showcase your game at our Demo Corner and get some valuable feedback? Sign up here: https://forms.gle/CpwsWvna11kgq95g7  The deadline for signups is November 6th at 23:59! Please note, you will need to submit a 10 - 30s gameplay video! 

💬 Our Chat Corner will be open and ready for chatting!

Chat Corner AMA at 19 - 20 with Frank Radecki

November’s AMA Guest is Remedy Entertainment’s Lighting Artist Frank Radecki. His AMA topics are lighting and environment art, artist’s career development, Unreal Engine and gamedev education.

🗣️ Interested in practicing and improving your Finnish or Swedish language skills by chatting with native-speaking game industry professionals? Join the "Let’s speak in Finnish/Swedish" - Café Lingua between 17-17.45!


PROGRAM DETAILS:
Intro and Opening Words by Studio Operations Director Juha Matikainen from Next Games, a Netflix Game Studio.

“Zero Installs, Infinite Surfaces: Web Tech In Netflix Games” by Principal Software Architect Matias Ärje.
Matias will discuss how Netflix utilizes web technologies in their game portfolio, where web tech fits especially well and how it compares to traditional game engines.

Juha Matikainen, Studio Operations Director

Juha leads studio operations at Next Games, overseeing production, QA, finance, and business operations. With a leadership background spanning indie studios and co-founding ventures, Juha has been part of Next Games’ leadership team since 2021, seeing the studio through its acquisition by Netflix in 2022. His goal is to build frameworks and remove operational hurdles, to empower development teams to focus on creating great games.

Matias Ärje, Principal Software Architect

Matias helps teams navigate complex technological environments and turn wild ideas into reality. With more than two decades in software and game development, his experience spans across a wide range of technologies, with a particular strength in identifying how they can be applied in new and unexpected contexts. He recently designed the architecture of Netflix Puzzled, which in addition to the mobile app is the first game available on Netflix Tudum and in the Netflix streaming app.

Next Games, a Netflix Game Studio, creates gaming experiences that bring friends and family together. As part of Netflix, the studio is shaping the future of global living room entertainment, driven by a deep legacy in the Finnish game development industry. With all games included with a Netflix membership and featuring no in-app purchases, Next Games focuses fully on quality, fun, and expanding on fan-favorite Netflix shows and films.


Chat Corner AMA at 19 - 20 with Frank Radecki

Frank is a lighting artist at Remedy Entertainment, where he worked on recently released CONTROL Resonant. He started his career in indie games as a 2D/concept artist and later switched to level art with further specialization in lighting on ‘Silent Hill 2’ remake and ‘Cronos: The New Dawn’. After hours, he’s also a Game Art mentor for various institutes and an academic teacher in Poland, covering topics related to environment art and Unreal Engine.

AMA topics: lighting and environment art, artist’s career development, Unreal Engine, gamedev education


ACCESSIBILITY:
At IGDA Helsinki we strive for making our events accessible for everyone. We kindly ask all attendees to stay away from using strong perfumes or similar fragrances. The Meetups can be crowded at times, meaning that the sound volume can also become rather loud.

Maxine is wheelchair accessible. There's a few steps at the entrance, for that please ask security at the cloakroom for a ramp. Accessible toilet can be found at the back of the space.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding any type of accessibility of our Meetups, then please contact helsinki@igda.fi and we will do our best to assist you. We also have an accessibility contact present at the Meetup until 19:00. They can be found near the entrance and are ready to assist with any accessibility-related matters!

Reminder that IGDA Meetups use the THE FINNISH GAME INDUSTRY Code of Conduct! 

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IGDA Kymenlaakso Kotka Meetup at Street Food Factory
Nov
12
5:00 PM17:00

IGDA Kymenlaakso Kotka Meetup at Street Food Factory

Join us for the next meetup at Kotka at Street Food Factory! The date is Thursday 12.11 starting at 17:00. Come hang out with us once again. See you there!

What? Kotka meetup

When? 12.11 at 17-20

Where? Street Food Factory, Kotka

View Event →
Nov
13
5:00 PM17:00

IGDA Lahti November - Use of AI for games by James Shepherd and Jan Storgård

  • 27 Kirkkokatu Lahti, Päijät-Häme, 15140 Finland (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Join us this month for presentation by James Shepherd and Jan Storgårds about Use of AI for games.

Sign up now: Register Link

James Shepherd is CEO of Cypherdelic and Head of Studio at nDreams, who just recently published Ghostbusters VR. James has received Bafta’s and a Develop award for his outstanding executive work and has delivered multi-million selling products.

Jan Storgårds has over 25 years of experience from various technology industries and academia. He is an entrepreneur, Academic Programme Director, and Director of CADGI (Cambridge Academy of Games and Innovation), and CEO of Cambridge Gamechanger ltd.

Event is organised by IGDA Lahti in Fellmanni-talo. Event starts at 17:00 and presentation starts at 18:00. After presentation there is time to do networking. Event closes about 20:00.

You can also present your demos or ask for feedback on your game projects after presentation. If you want to ask for more details contact: wawethewaras (Mika Happonen) in IGDA Lahti Discord (https://discord.gg/328zTZfy9z)

Reminder: IGDA events uses the Finnish Game Industry Code of Conduct!

WHERE:
Fellmanni-talo, Kirkkokatu 27, 15140 Lahti
WHEN:
Friday 13th November, 17:00-20:00


🚅 You can easily arrive at our event by train from Helsinki in 1h or from Kouvola in 30 min.
🚶 Around 1km/15min walk from the train station.

Event follows code of conduct of IGDA Finland!

Fellmanni-talo is wheelchair accessible! 
The event will be happening on the second floor, but the building has an elevator, and accessible toilets can be found on the same floor. Our volunteers will be opening the doors to get in, and on the inside, there is a button to open the door. 

For more information, you can contact us at lahti@igda.fi, but we are easiest to contact through our Discord.

Hublead: wawethewaras (Mika Happonen)

Sign up to let us know you’re coming: Register Link


Sign up here to speak at IGDA Lahti! We’ll let you know when a slot opens.

Please note that, unfortunately, as a community-supported, non-profit event, IGDA Finland Lahti Hub cannot guarantee covering speakers’ expenses.

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IGDA Vaasa Demo Night - Autumn  2026
Nov
18
5:00 PM17:00

IGDA Vaasa Demo Night - Autumn 2026

GDA Vaasa Demo Night | Wednesday 18th November | 5PM @ Startup Factory Register for the showcase: https://forms.gle/q1evsubfeTQVyAdH7

IGDA Vaasa Hub Discord: https://discord.gg/x2jPrfDSd

Board games night
Wednesday 18.10.2026
From 17:00 to 21:00
Startup Factory / Yliopistonranta 10, 65200 Vaasa

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IGDA Vaasa Board Games Night - November 2026
Nov
26
5:00 PM17:00

IGDA Vaasa Board Games Night - November 2026

It's the IGDA Vaasa board games night! Join us on Thursday, November 26th, starting at 17:00 🎲 Everyone is welcome to join the games or just hang out at Startup Factory.

IGDA Vaasa Hub Discord: https://discord.gg/x2jPrfDSd

You just need to bring yourself, we're bringing the games and a group of people who also like board games. You’re also welcome to bring your own games, or tell us your wish and we’ll try to make it happen.

Board games night
Thursday 26.11.2026
From 17:00 to 21:00
Startup Factory / Yliopistonranta 10, 65200 Vaasa

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IGDA Oulu Pre-Xmas Party
Nov
27
6:00 PM18:00

IGDA Oulu Pre-Xmas Party

Rub shoulders and socialize before the holidays!

End of the year is nearly upon us! But not yet, its still November and pre-Christmas party In Oulu.

See Eventbrite for full programme and ticket reservations here.

Isokatu 56, The 56 Lounge, 18-22.30 on the last Friday of November 27th.

View Event →
Dec
8
5:00 PM17:00

IGDA Helsinki December Meetup

IGDA Helsinki Presents:
December Meetup
08.12.2026

More info coming soon…

ACCESSIBILITY:
At IGDA Helsinki we strive for making our events accessible for everyone. We kindly ask all attendees to stay away from using strong perfumes or similar fragrances. The Meetups can be crowded at times, meaning that the sound volume can also become rather loud.

Maxine is wheelchair accessible. There's a few steps at the entrance, for that please ask security at the cloakroom for a ramp. Accessible toilet can be found at the back of the space.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding any type of accessibility of our Meetups, then please contact helsinki@igda.fi and we will do our best to assist you. We also have an accessibility contact present at the Meetup until 19:00. They can be found near the entrance and are ready to assist with any accessibility-related matters!

Reminder that IGDA Meetups use the THE FINNISH GAME INDUSTRY Code of Conduct! 

View Event →
IGDA Vaasa / Jakobstad / Kauhajoki hub Christmas Party 2026
Dec
11
6:00 PM18:00

IGDA Vaasa / Jakobstad / Kauhajoki hub Christmas Party 2026

Welcome to join the shared IGDA Vaasa, Jakobstad and Kauhajoki Hub Christmas Party!

Join us for a festive evening of games, food, and good company! We’ll meet at Finland’s coolest and coziest arcade — with almost 100 games, pinball machines, and arcade cabinets. Bring some Christmas spirit with you and it will be a night to remember! Welcome!

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IGDA Tampere November Meetup & Demo Event
Nov
3
6:00 PM18:00

IGDA Tampere November Meetup & Demo Event

Winter is slowly approaching with the start of November… Did you know that the finnish word for November, Marraskuu actually means death month (Marras is old finnish word for death)?

But there’s no death in Tampere because its time for our IGDA Tampere November meetup with a load of game demos!

Lets gather up at our usual Demo Event spot in the 5th floor of Platform6! We have eight spots for anyone wishing to show what they have been working on. It’s a wonderful opportunity to show what you’ve got and gather valuable feedback, all for the price of having to haul your stuff there and set it up!

Do you have something you’d like to show? Please fill in the sign up form and you are set. You may find the form here.

This event is strictly BYOB, so feel free to bring your own beverages and snacks!

WHAT: IGDA Tampere November Meetup & Demo Event!
WHERE: 5th floor of Platform6, Åkerlundinkatu 8, 33100 Tampere
WHEN: Tuesday November 3rd, starting at 18:00!

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Oct
30
5:00 PM17:00

10 YEARS OF HIVE - IGDA Turku October meetup + Halloween Party

Welcome to special anniversary - the oldest game hub in Finland is celebrating its 10th Anniversary!

🎉 HIVE TURNS 10 🎉

We have exciting program prepared for you:

💥 Masquerade

💥 Demo Corner and networking - starting at 16.00
💥 Karaoke
💥 Party Games

Sign up for the Demo Corner

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IGDA Vaasa Board Games Night - October 2026
Oct
22
5:00 PM17:00

IGDA Vaasa Board Games Night - October 2026

It's the IGDA Vaasa board games night! Join us on Thursday, October 22nd, starting at 17:00 🎲 Everyone is welcome to join the games or just hang out at Startup Factory.

IGDA Vaasa Hub Discord: https://discord.gg/x2jPrfDSd

You just need to bring yourself, we're bringing the games and a group of people who also like board games. You’re also welcome to bring your own games, or tell us your wish and we’ll try to make it happen.

Board games night
Thursday 22.10.2026
From 17:00 to 21:00
Startup Factory / Yliopistonranta 10, 65200 Vaasa

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Finnish Games Week
Oct
19
to Oct 23

Finnish Games Week

Finnish Game Week is a week-long series of game industry events in Helsinki, featuring Leadership Day by IGDA Finland, Pocket Gamer Connects Helsinki, and W Love Games conferences. It brings together game developers, students, and like-minded creatives exploring the topics of leadership, teamwork, business development.

Upcoming main events:

19.10. LEADERSHIP DAY

Leadership Day is a one-day event focused on how we build companies, teams, and working cultures to create better games. Expect inspiring talks from some of the brightest minds in the industry!

Just like in previous years, Leadership Day will be held both in-person and online and best of all, it’s completely FREE!


20-21.10. PGC NORDICS 2026

PG Connects Nordics focuses on connecting you with the right people from all sections of the games industry so that you can do great business. They unite delegates across the entire ecosystem with all the key formats covered (from mobile, PC and console to XR, web3 and AI technology), and cover all core topics over 30 hours of content from 200 speakers across 20+ tracks.


22-23.10. W LOVE GAMES

W Love Games is a two-day event that is entirely FREE of charge for both on-site and online participants. However, registration is mandatory due to venue capacity and to ensure you receive all necessary links and materials.

The conference tracks are dedicated to diversity and leadership, accessibility, education, and gamedev practices. Through workshops and mentoring sessions, W love games wishes to help you advance in your career!

 
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IGDA Lahti October - Finndie Forge DEMO DAY Competition
Oct
16
5:00 PM17:00

IGDA Lahti October - Finndie Forge DEMO DAY Competition

  • 19 Verstaskatu Lahti, Päijät-Häme, 15210 Finland (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Finndie Forge DEMO DAY Competition 🎮

​Your game. Your pitch. Your next opportunity.

​Join us for an evening dedicated to Finnish indie games, emerging developers and playable game projects.

​On Demo Day, selected developers get 3 minutes to pitch their game demo to an industry jury - with the opportunity to receive feedback, make valuable connections and get their project in front of people from the game industry.

​Whether you're a developer looking for your next opportunity or a game enthusiast who wants to discover the next generation of Finnish Indie games, you're welcome to join us.

​📅 16 October 2026
📍 StartHub Lahti, Verstaskatu 19, 15210 Lahti
🕐 17.00-22.00

​Free to attend - registration required.

🎮 Want to pitch your game?
Apply here → https://luma.com/9dl0czhl

📺 Watch the Demo Day Live
Can't make it to Lahti? IGDA Digihub will be livestreaming the event online.

Livestream link will be shared before the event.

---

🎮 What is Demo Day?

​Demo Day is a showcase event for indie game developers and emerging game projects.

​Selected developers will step on stage and have 3 minutes to pitch their game demo to our jury.

​The goal is simple:

​Show us your game. Tell us why it matters. Make us remember it.

​After the pitches, the jury will evaluate the projects and selected teams may have the opportunity to continue the conversation with industry professionals.

​What you can expect

​🎮 Playable indie game demos
🎤 3-minute live pitches
👥 Industry jury
💬 Feedback & discussion
🤝 Networking
🧩 Opportunities for future collaboration

---

🚀 Who can apply for the competition?

​Demo Day is open to:

  • ​Indie game developers

  • ​Small game studios

  • ​Student teams

  • ​First-time developers

  • ​Early-stage game projects

  • ​Developers with a playable prototype or demo

​You don't need to have a finished game.

​If you have something playable and you're looking for feedback, funding, publishing, connections or your next opportunity - we want to see it.

---

🎤 The 3-Minute Pitch

​Each selected developer will have exactly 3 minutes to introduce their game to the jury.

​Your pitch should answer three simple questions:

​1. What is your game?
Give us the elevator pitch.

​2. Why is it interesting?
Show us the core gameplay, hook or unique idea.

​3. What are you looking for?
Tell us what you need next.

​For example:

​"We're looking for a publisher."

​"We're looking for funding."

​"We're looking for a development partner."

​"We're looking for feedback and industry connections."

​⏱️ Keep it simple

​You only have 3 minutes.

​You can use:

  • ​Gameplay footage

  • ​A live demo

  • ​Screenshots

  • ​Slides

  • ​Trailer footage

​Your presentation should be prepared in advance.

---

📤 Submit Your Game

​Want to pitch your game at Demo Day?

​Register through Luma → https://luma.com/9dl0czhl and tell us about your project.

​We will ask for:

  • ​Game title

  • ​Team / studio name

  • ​Contact person

  • ​Email

  • ​Short game description

  • ​Genre

  • ​Platform

  • ​Current development stage

  • ​Link to your playable demo

  • ​Trailer / gameplay video

  • ​Website / social media

  • ​What are you looking for?

  • ​Short description of your team

​You don't need a finished game.

​A playable prototype is enough.

🎮 Want to pitch your game?
Apply here → https://luma.com/9dl0czhl

---

⚖️ How will games be evaluated?
Our jury will evaluate each project across three key areas:

​💰 Commercial Potential
Market appeal, business potential and target audience fit.

​⚙️ Technical Execution & Quality
Technical quality, usability, stability and overall execution.

​✨ Uniqueness
Originality, distinctiveness, creative identity and memorable gameplay.

---

📍🗺️ Getting Here

​🚌 By bus:
Verstaskatu 19 is easily accessible from Lahti Travel Centre by local buses 1, 1S, 1K and 13. (“Niemen kampus”)

​StartHub is approximately 4 km from Lahti Travel Centre.

​For the most up-to-date departure times and routes, check the LSL journey planner.

🚗 By car: Parking
Paid parking is available near the venue.
P1 & P4: 1 hour free, then €1/hour.
Parking can be paid through eParking, EasyPark, Moovy or Parkman.

---

📅 Important dates

​15 September - Applications open
9 October - Application deadline
12 October - Selected developers announced
14 October - Pitch materials deadline
16 October - Demo Day 🎮


For more information, you can contact us at lahti@igda.fi, but we are easiest to contact through our Discord.

Hublead: wawethewaras (Mika Happonen)


Sign up here to speak at IGDA Lahti! We’ll let you know when a slot opens.

Please note that, unfortunately, as a community-supported, non-profit event, IGDA Finland Lahti Hub cannot guarantee covering speakers’ expenses.

View Event →
IGDA Helsinki October Meetup with Remedy Entertainment
Oct
13
5:00 PM17:00

IGDA Helsinki October Meetup with Remedy Entertainment

IGDA Helsinki Presents:
October Meetup with Remedy Entertainment
13.10.2026

Tis’ that time of the year again, where we celebrate the spooky season — October! So come hang at our next IGDA Helsinki October Meetup where we’ll be celebrating Remedy Entertainment’s recently released game CONTROL Resonant! Be sure to dress up in your best spooky attire in the spirit of early Halloween!

📣 Note: No pre-registration is required to join our Meetup.

WHAT:
IGDA Helsinki October Meetup with Remedy Entertainment

WHEN:
Tuesday 13.10
Doors open at 17
Program starts at 17:45

WHERE:
Maxine, Kamppi shopping center, 6th floor (Elevators can be found on the E-floor, between Jungle Juice Bar and Rax). Note that Maxine is a 18+ venue, hence you must be 18+ years of age to attend.

PROGRAM:
Intro and welcoming words by Remedy Entertainment Executive Producer Juha Vainio
Live Q&A with the CONTROL Resonant team moderated by Juha Vainio, with Senior Level Designer Arhi Makkonen, Senior Environment Artist Masha Malitskaya and Senior Gameplay Designer Ville Varis

🕹️ Wanna showcase your game at our Demo Corner and get some valuable feedback? Sign up here: https://forms.gle/N7F8Jo8m6GmbeuFP9  
Deadline for signups is October 9th at 23:59 . Note, you will need to submit a 10 - 30s gameplay video! 

💬 Our Chat Corner will be open and ready for chatting! Keep an eye out because this month’s chat corner will be at a different location within Maxine!

We’ll also have an AMA Session (19:00 - 20:00) with Emma Varjo who leads UX and Design and has worked across AA and AAA console and PC games, including the Trine series and Overwatch 2. See more details of Emma’s background further below!

🗣️ Café Lingua is back! Interested in practicing and improving your Finnish or Swedish language skills by chatting with native-speaking game industry professionals? Join the "Let’s speak in Finnish/Swedish" - Café Lingua between 17-17.45!


PROGRAM DETAILS:

Live Q&A with the CONTROL Resonant team moderated by Juha.

Juha
Vainio, the Moderator
Juha Vainio is the Executive Producer of CONTROL Resonant and the CONTROL Franchise at Remedy Entertainment. He joined Remedy 2017 and started as the Lead Producer of CONTROL, heading the production, and shipping the game. He has over twenty years of management experience in software development and fifteen years of production experience in the games industry. In his previous life he produced mobile titles such as Angry Birds Star Wars at Rovio, and as the CEO of Epic Owl he shipped the still-profitable-after-11-years free-to-play mobile game Space Arena: Build and Fight. Juha has also been active in the Finnish Game Dev Community being a former member of the board of directors of both IGDA Finland and Finnish Game Development Studios’ Association. 

Arhi Makkonen
Arhi Makkonen is a Senior Level Designer on CONTROL Resonant. He has worked at Remedy Entertainment for eight years, joining during the final year of Control’s development. Makkonen was the first Level Designer to join CONTROL Resonant, contributing extensively to early prototyping. His main focus throughout development has been creating the game’s world structure and designing its Zones, the game’s more open areas. Previously he worked on games like Bad Biggies and designing interactive board game tutorials. From outside of work Makkonen is enthusiastic tabletop and live-action roleplayer and loves game jams.

Masha Malitskaya
Masha Malitskaya is a Senior Environment Artist on CONTROL Resonant. She has been at Remedy Entertainment for 4 years focusing largely on the semi-procedural worldbuilding and open spaces of CONTROL Resonant. She has been an environment artist for 14 years and has created environments for games like The Division 2, Rainbow Six Siege, and Skyforge specializing primarily in level layouts and composition.

Ville Varis
Ville Varis is a Senior Gameplay Designer on CONTROL Resonant. He has been working at Remedy Entertainment for eight years and primarily worked on the final phase of Control's development and through its two expansions. On CONTROL Resonant he was responsible for the player's melee system, combat abilities and some of the game's boss fights. Working at Remedy is Ville's first job in the game industry, although he worked on multiple hobbyist and school projects before this.


Chat Corner AMA at 19 - 20 with Emma Varjo

Emma leads UX and Design and has worked across AA and AAA console and PC games, including the Trine series and Overwatch 2. She's spent her career at the intersection of design and research, figuring out how to turn player feedback into better games, and she's especially passionate about accessibility. Ask her anything about the cross section of UX and game design, research, facilitation, or making games work for more people. 

Topics: UX/game design, user research, accessibility, facilitation/alignment 


ACCESSIBILITY:
At IGDA Helsinki we strive for making our events accessible for everyone. We kindly ask all attendees to stay away from using strong perfumes or similar fragrances. The Meetups can be crowded at times, meaning that the sound volume can also become rather loud.

Maxine is wheelchair accessible. There's a few steps at the entrance, for that please ask security at the cloakroom for a ramp. Accessible toilet can be found at the back of the space.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding any type of accessibility of our Meetups, then please contact helsinki@igda.fi and we will do our best to assist you. We also have an accessibility contact present at the Meetup until 19:00. They can be found near the entrance and are ready to assist with any accessibility-related matters!

Reminder that IGDA Meetups use the THE FINNISH GAME INDUSTRY Code of Conduct! 

View Event →
IGDA Tampere x Indie Tampere October Games & Music Meetup with One Trick Entertainment & FusionLabs
Oct
6
6:00 PM18:00

IGDA Tampere x Indie Tampere October Games & Music Meetup with One Trick Entertainment & FusionLabs

The game and music industries in Tampere have active networks that regularly meet within their respective communities. In October, these networking events will come together for a special joint meetup! 

Ever wondered how game music gets made and how to possibly make some yourself? This is your chance to come meet game developers and musicians to make some magic happen!

The evening will consist of wonderful mingling between gamedev and music people with Finnish Game industry’s own rockstar Ari Pulkkinen joining us. First with a short interview and then by spending the evening with us!

FusionLabs’ people are also hosting a “speed dating” event for game developers and musicians to bridge the gap.

We’d like you to fill in the following registration to get a better image of how many would arrive. The form also includes a section to sign up for the speed dating! Please follow the link to the registration form.

We’re not forgetting the Demo Corner! If you want to show your games please fill in the Demo Corner Sign up form here.

WHAT: IGDA Tampere x Indie Tampere October Games & Music Meetup with One Trick Entertainment & FusionLabs!
WHEN: 6th of October 2026 at 18:00-22:00!
WHERE: Bar Ihku Tampere, Hämeenkatu 23, Tampere!

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IGDA Vaasa Board Games Night - September 2026
Sep
24
5:00 PM17:00

IGDA Vaasa Board Games Night - September 2026

It's the IGDA Vaasa board games night! Join us on Thursday, September 24th, starting at 17:00 🎲 Everyone is welcome to join the games or just hang out at Startup Factory.

IGDA Vaasa Hub Discord: https://discord.gg/x2jPrfDSd

You just need to bring yourself, we're bringing the games and a group of people who also like board games. You’re also welcome to bring your own games, or tell us your wish and we’ll try to make it happen.

Board games night
Thursday 24.9.2026
From 17:00 to 21:00
Startup Factory / Yliopistonranta 10, 65200 Vaasa

View Event →
IGDA Turku September Meetup
Sep
22
6:00 PM18:00

IGDA Turku September Meetup

welcome to the IGDA Turku September Meetup - Summer Training 2026: Project Showcase!

This time we’re diving into the Summer Training 2026 program, powered by Turku AMK and Step On D4 Oy! Two student teams have been working on their game projects for the past four months, and now it’s time to check out what they’ve been building. Each team will pitch their game live, sharing their progress, challenges, and creative visions so far.

When: 22.9.2026

Where: Kaivomestari (EduCity)
Doors open: 17:00

Program starts: 18:00

View Event →
IGDA Lahti September Meetup - Finndie Forge
Sep
11
5:00 PM17:00

IGDA Lahti September Meetup - Finndie Forge

  • 27 Kirkkokatu Lahti, Päijät-Häme, 15140 Finland (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Small indie studios are struggling to get funding and here is a company attempting to fix the problem: Finndie Forge! Hear from Toni Tilsala and Ville Muhonen about how they plan to support indie developers and help people build teams. They are gonna tell about their next huge event were developers can get feedback for their games and testers can earn prices by finding bugs!

Sign up now: Register Link

About Finndie Forge:
Early-stage game developers in Finland struggle to access funding, team building, professional support, and publishing opportunities, despite the strong educational pipeline. We provide a community-driven platform and funding for Finnish indie game developers. Guiding them from brilliant ideas to published products. We will create and support new gaming companies in Finland and help the whole industry to evolve and prosper.

Website: https://finndieforge.fi/

Event is organised by IGDA Lahti in Fellmanni-talo. Doors open at 17:00 and presentation starts at 18:00. After presentation there is time to do networking. Event closes about 20:00.

You can also present your demos or ask for feedback on your game projects after presentation. If you want to ask for more details contact: wawethewaras (Mika Happonen) in IGDA Lahti Discord (https://discord.gg/328zTZfy9z)

Reminder: IGDA events uses the Finnish Game Industry Code of Conduct!

WHERE:
Fellmanni-talo, Kirkkokatu 27, 15140 Lahti
WHEN:
Friday 11th September, 17:00-20:00


🚅 You can easily arrive at our event by train from Helsinki in 1h or from Kouvola in 30 min.
🚶 Around 1km/15min walk from the train station.

Event follows code of conduct of IGDA Finland!

Fellmanni-talo is wheelchair accessible! 
The event will be happening on the second floor, but the building has an elevator, and accessible toilets can be found on the same floor. Our volunteers will be opening the doors to get in, and on the inside, there is a button to open the door. 

For more information, you can contact us at lahti@igda.fi, but we are easiest to contact through our Discord.

Hublead: wawethewaras (Mika Happonen)

Sign up to let us know you’re coming: Register Link


Sign up here to speak at IGDA Lahti! We’ll let you know when a slot opens.

Please note that, unfortunately, as a community-supported, non-profit event, IGDA Finland Lahti Hub cannot guarantee covering speakers’ expenses.

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IGDA Helsinki September Meetup
Sep
8
5:00 PM17:00

IGDA Helsinki September Meetup

IGDA Helsinki Presents:
September Meetup
feat. Game Designers of Finland

08.09.2026

Update to what was previously communicated: There will be no mandatory security and cloakroom fee after all! Next Games, A Netflix Game Studio stepped in and enabled us to keep the event free and thus more accessible. Big Thank you to Next Games, A Netflix Game Studio! 💛

Brave the first days of Autumn at our next IGDA Helsinki September meetup! We’re collaborating with the amazing Game Designers of Finland and learning all about "friendslop" games. 🎮 Please scroll further below for more information on the talks and our speakers. ⬇️

📣 Note: No pre-registration is required to join our Meetup.

WHAT:
IGDA Helsinki September Meetup with Game Designers of Finland

WHEN:
Tuesday 08.09.
Doors open at 17
Program starts at 17:45

WHERE:
Maxine, Kamppi shopping center, 6th floor (Elevators can be found on the E-floor, between Jungle Juice Bar and Rax). Note that Maxine is a 18+ venue, hence you must be 18+ years of age to attend.

PROGRAM:
Introduction to the Game Designers of Finland by Collin Foss - Game Designers of Finland started in 2020 as a way to bring game designers in Finland together and build a stronger community around the craft. They've grown to close to 900 members and have organized around 20+ events so far. And now they want to hear from YOU!

In Slop We Trust by Tanja Saarentaus & Ali Irdiren - In this talk, Ali and Tanja explore friendslop games: what they are and why they have become so darn popular. They examine what makes the genre so distinctive and how its design, social interaction, and shared chaotic experiences contribute to its appeal and overall fun factor. Are friendslop games really slop, or are they actually far from it?

🕹️ Wanna showcase your game at our Demo Corner and get some valuable feedback? Sign up here: https://forms.gle/GuR9UWjwGc518GTC9
Deadline for signups is September 4th at 23:59. Note, you will need to submit a 10 - 30s gameplay video!

💬 Our Chat Corner will be open and ready for chatting! AMA Session: Begüm Doğan from the IGDA Finland Grant team and the Marketing Witch from Hexen Marketing will be hosting the AMA and weaving marketing magic for indie game developers.


PROGRAM
🎤 Game Designers of Finland Introduction by Collin Foss
Game Designers of Finland started in 2020 as a way to bring game designers in Finland together and build a stronger community around the craft. They've grown to close to 900 members and have organized around 20+ events so far. Over the years GDoF have had a pretty broad mix: industry talks, workshops, mentoring, design discussions and social events, with events hosted together with companies like Remedy and Supercell, sessions with experienced people from the Finnish games industry, and hands-on events like a board game design workshop supported by Game Makers of Finland. Their events are practical and useful, while also just giving designers a good reason to get together and meet each other. Going into 2026, GDoF want to figure out how they can have more of an impact, especially with how much the industry is changing. They're interested in doing more around mentoring, peer support, hands-on design, playtesting and supporting solo or independent creators, but they also really want to hear from YOU about what would actually be useful and where GDoF will head into the future!

🗣️ Collin Foss is a Creative Director at Nitro Games with 15+ years of experience across game design, product, and design leadership. He started his career at Digital Chocolate and later spent five years at Rovio, working across both new and live games. More recently, his focus has expanded from mobile free-to-play into PC and console, including work on PAYDAY 3 with Starbreeze, leading Nitro’s Netflix project, and currently directing the development of a popular PC game for mobile F2P. Originally from the U.S. and based in Finland for the past 16 years, Collin is the founder of Game Designers of Finland. Outside of work, he’s a strategy game fan, occasional solo developer, father to a four-year-old and a now 10 week old puppy.

🎤 In Slop We Trust by Tanja Saarentaus and Ali Irdiren
In this talk, Ali and Tanja explore friendslop games: what they are and why they have become so darn popular. They examine what makes the genre so distinctive and how its design, social interaction, and shared chaotic experiences contribute to its appeal and overall fun factor. Are friendslop games really slop, or are they actually far from it?

🗣️ Tanja Saarentaus is a Development Coordinator in publishing at Remedy Entertainment. She has nearly a decade of experience in marketing, in addition to her work in publishing and production. She has worked on games including Merge Mansion, FBC: Firebreak, and CONTROL Resonant. She is also a long-time volunteer with IGDA Helsinki and Game Designers of Finland.

🗣️ Ali Irdiren is a Game Designer at Rovio Entertainment, where he designs “Beyond F2P” Angry Birds experiences for partner platforms. His indie work spans multiple genres and themes like Isop0dyssey, Crowing Around & Purrbots Unleashed. He’s active in the game jam scene with mehu jam and bad jam. Ali has been volunteering with IGDA, Game Designers of Finland and Finnish Game Jam.

For more information on Game Designers of Finland, check out their website!


TL;DR:
- IGDA Helsinki September Meetup with Game Designers of Finland
- Tuesday 08.09.
- Doors open at 17, program starts at 17:45
- Demo Corner and Chat Corner are Open!


ACCESSIBILITY:
At IGDA Helsinki we strive for making our events accessible for everyone. We kindly ask all attendees to stay away from using strong perfumes or similar fragrances. The Meetups can be crowded at times, meaning that the sound volume can also become rather loud.

Maxine is wheelchair accessible. There's a few steps at the entrance, for that please ask security at the cloakroom for a ramp. Accessible toilet can be found at the back of the space.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding any type of accessibility of our Meetups, then please contact helsinki@igda.fi and we will do our best to assist you. We also have an accessibility contact present at the Meetup until 19:00. They can be found near the entrance and are ready to assist with any accessibility-related matters!

Reminder that IGDA Meetups use the THE FINNISH GAME INDUSTRY Code of Conduct! 

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IGDA Tampere September Meetup
Sep
1
6:00 PM18:00

IGDA Tampere September Meetup

Better a bit late than never… Its time to kickstart the Fall/Winter season of IGDA Tampere meetups with our September Meetup!

How has the summer treated you? Has the Finnish summer given you new ideas and renewed your enthusiasm for the autumn? Come share your summer memories with your fellow game development enthusiasts! We will gather up at the usual spot in Bar IHKU Tampere, found in Hämeenkatu 24!

As a new thing this meetup we’re again taking influence from Helsinki and make our own version of the popular chat corner! If you want to sit down and have a conversation, theres a place for it!

Our demo corner also returns with new vigor! If you have cooked up something during summer, please sign up using the form and come show it! The demo corner sign up form can be found here

WHAT: IGDA Tampere September Meetup!
WHERE: Bar IHKU Tampere, Hämeenkatu 23, Tampere!
WHEN: Tuesday 1st of September, Starting at 18:00(6pm)!

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IGDA Vaasa Board Games Night - August 2026
Aug
20
5:00 PM17:00

IGDA Vaasa Board Games Night - August 2026

We’re arranging the fall season’s first IGDA Vaasa board games night on Thursday, August 20th, starting at 17:00 🎲 Everyone is welcome to join the games or just hang out at Startup Factory.

https://discord.gg/QPN8xbJU?event=1491778936391204904

You just need to bring yourself, we're bringing the games and a group of people who also like board games. You’re also welcome to bring your own games, or tell us your wish and we’ll try to make it happen.

Board games night
Thursday 20.8.
From 17:00 to 21:00
Startup Factory / Yliopistonranta 10, 65200 Vaasa

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Aug
11
6:00 PM18:00

IGDA Turku August Meetup - Finndie Forge

Welcome to the August meetup of the IGDA Finland Turku Hub — featuring Finndie Forge!

To kick off the fall, we have invited Toni Tilsala from Finndie Forge to discuss what they do and what they can offer as an indie publishing company.

Finndie Forge

Early-stage game developers in Finland struggle to access funding, team building, professional support, and publishing opportunities, despite the strong educational pipeline.

We provide a community-driven platform and funding for Finnish indie game developers. Guiding them from brilliant ideas to published products.

We will create and support new gaming companies in Finland and help the whole industry to evolve and prosper. Globally Indie games are booming and very attractive investment cases.

There are a few small publishers in Finland. Huge ones outside Finland. None of them are doing it quite the same way we are. We have very transparent business concept and our goal is to make a difference. Finnish game industry has plenty of room to grow and we are here to help.

We have the Finnish game education and our Discord gaming community as our backbone. Finnish gaming talent and design is globally renowned. We are building a network of investors to support the projects financially. We have strong experience in project management and studio management to help our gaming teams succeed. The Global market is ready for us. Timing is perfect.

Creative industry is known for being high risk and high reward. Are you ready to roll the dice with us?

When: 11.8 18:00 ->
Where: Saaristobaari

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Aug
11
5:00 PM17:00

IGDA Helsinki August Party with Supercell!

IGDA Helsinki Presents:
August Meetup with Supercell
11.08.2026

🎉Woohoo! The IGDA Helsinki August Meetup is back this month with Supercell! Let’s keep that summer energy alive a bit longer and come hang out 😎 There’ll be no seminars this month, but we will be revealing the IGDA Finland Grant recipient and language learning café Café Lingua is back! So dress to shine, bring your summer style and enjoy the Summer party as we kick off the Meetup season!

📣 Note: No pre-registration is required to join our Meetup.

WHAT:
IGDA Helsinki August Meetup with Supercell

WHEN:
Tuesday 11.08.
Doors open at 17
Program starts at 17:45

WHERE:
Maxine, Kamppi shopping center, 6th floor (Elevators can be found on the E-floor, between Jungle Juice Bar and Rax). Note that Maxine is a 18+ venue, hence you must be 18+ years of age to attend.

PROGRAM:
IGDA announcements
IGDA Finland Grant recipient reveal
Summer celebration and good times

🕹️ Wanna showcase your game at our Demo Corner and get some valuable feedback? Sign up here: https://forms.gle/BsXXqJ6nCRM9q7YL8
Deadline for signups is August 7th at 23:59. Note, you will need to submit a 10 - 30s gameplay video!

💬 Our Chat Corner will be open and ready for chatting!

🗣️  Café Lingua is back! Interested in practicing and improving your Finnish or Swedish language skills by chatting with native-speaking game industry professionals? Join the "Let’s speak in Finnish/Swedish" - Café Lingua at the August Meetup in Maxine between 17-17.45!


ACCESSIBILITY:
At IGDA Helsinki we strive for making our events accessible for everyone. We kindly ask all attendees to stay away from using strong perfumes or similar fragrances. The Meetups can be crowded at times, meaning that the sound volume can also become rather loud.

Maxine is wheelchair accessible. There's a few steps at the entrance, for that please ask security at the cloakroom for a ramp. Accessible toilet can be found at the back of the space.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding any type of accessibility of our Meetups, then please contact helsinki@igda.fi and we will do our best to assist you. We also have an accessibility contact present at the Meetup until 19:00. They can be found near the entrance and are ready to assist with any accessibility-related matters!

Reminder that IGDA Meetups use the THE FINNISH GAME INDUSTRY Code of Conduct! 

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IGDA Lahti August BBQ
Aug
7
5:00 PM17:00

IGDA Lahti August BBQ

Join IGDA Lahti grill party on the 7th of August.

IGDA Lahti will provide grilled sausages to the event. You are also welcome to bring your own foods to grill. The event will take place at Ank­ku­rin Ran­ta­puis­ton BBQ spot. (event address: Ruoriniemenkatu 6, 15140 Lahti).

If you have allergies, please inform them when you sign up.

NOTICE!

As this is an outdoor event and we can't control the weather, the venue place

might change to indoors. We will be notifying all attendees with changes as soon as possible, if the need comes!

Reminder: IGDA Finland uses the Finnish Game Industry Code of Conduct!

Where:

Ank­ku­rin Ran­ta­puis­to Grilling Spot

Ruoriniemenkatu 6, 15140 Lahti

When:

On Friday, August 7th, 2026 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM

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IGDA Vaasa August Meetup - Presentations
Aug
6
5:00 PM17:00

IGDA Vaasa August Meetup - Presentations

On Thursday 06.08. starting at 17:00 IGDA Finland Vaasa Hub will have our monthly meetup, this time with interesting presentations!

A couple local game developers will talk about how their latest games came together. Henri Tervapuro from Platonic Partnership will do a postmortem about his recently released first person metroidvania “Voltage High Society” and Henrik Hermans from September Games will talk about his upcoming Wild West RPG “Bounty Trail”.

Everybody's welcome!

This event is one of our monthly meetups. This event has a very low entry-bar event so all you need is just to show up!

See you there!

…and welcome also to our Discord-channel: https://discord.gg/AcPesHP

This event is part of IGDA Finland Vaasa hub´s meetups. IGDA Vaasa Hub follows and enforces the Finnish Game Industry Code of Conduct in all its events: https://neogames.fi/the-finnish-game-industry-code-of…/

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IGDA Vaasa Summer Picnic 2026
Jul
17
5:00 PM17:00

IGDA Vaasa Summer Picnic 2026

IGDA Vaasa Picnic 2026 | Friday 17.7. at 17:00, Hietasaari 🏖️

Let's gather at Hietasaari from 5PM onwards for a fun summer picnic together. We’ll also be hosting a couple of fun activities and games during the evening, so feel free to join in and look forward to those!

If the weather is not agreeing with us, we'll retreat to Vaasa Startup Factory to have a cozy indoor picnic instead.

Good games, good people, perfect picnic. Don't forget to bring your snacks and sunscreen! 🍎🍹😎

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IGDA Turku July Meetup: Picnic
Jul
14
5:30 PM17:30

IGDA Turku July Meetup: Picnic

Greetings to all IGDA actives!

Summer is once again here and our annual IGDA Turku summer picnic hasn't taken place yet! As per usual lets gather at the Kupittaa Park as the tradition has been; right by the Moose statue on Tuesday July 14th. If the weather allows feel free to start earlier, but the outdoor games will begin around 17:30. If mother nature deems otherwise and it's not pleasant to be outside we can gather at The Hive with our quilts and snacks to have our picnic inside.

Casual meetup, outdoor games (Croquet, Mölkky, and Pétanque etc.), hanging out with the best people while enjoying a beverage or two among our snack filled baskets; Sounds like a perfect picnic!

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IGDA Lahti July BBQ
Jul
10
5:00 PM17:00

IGDA Lahti July BBQ

Important notice! Location of the event has change to "Ank­ku­rin Ran­ta­puis­ton BBQ spot" (Ankkuri's beachpark)

Join IGDA Lahti grill party on the 10th of July.

IGDA Lahti will provide grilled sausages to the event. You are also welcome to bring your own foods to grill. The event will take place at Ank­ku­rin Ran­ta­puis­ton BBQ spot. (event address: Ruoriniemenkatu 6, 15140 Lahti). There's a parking area near the kiosk and the grill place. If you have allergies, please inform them when you sign up.

NOTICE! As this is an outdoor event and we can't control the weather, the venue place might change to indoors. We will be notifying all attendees with changes as soon as possible, if the need comes!

Reminder: IGDA Finland uses the Finnish Game Industry Code of Conduct!

Where: Ank­ku­rin Ran­ta­puis­to Grilling Spot

Ruoriniemenkatu 6, 15140 Lahti
When: On Friday, July 10th, 2026 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM

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