Please note that the deadline for our spring seminar 'Events and communities' has been extended! The new deadline is 21 January 2026. You can find the CfP and full details here: springseminar.org/2026-call-fo... The seminar will be organised at Tampere University, Finland, on 5–6 May 2026.

With team PEGASUS, we analysed Finnish game cultural organisations' DEI guidelines. Have a look, it is an open access! (Also, there is a great summary in the comments).

Meanwhile in Finland: the largest daily newspaper does a live broadcast of sunshine. #finland #winter #hs

Gave a talk at an Aalto seminar on my research topic(s) and joined the monthly game research afterwork in Helsinki. What great discussions, both fun and thought-provoking! If you’re in game research and happen to be in Helsinki, I definitely recommend joining. Thanks @aakoo.bsky.social for hosting!

The very first Finnish Game Industry DEI Summit is held on Dec 9th 2025, and I'll be on stage with three amazing professionals: Laura Smith, Essi Jukkala and Licia Prehn. Signups close tomorrow, so you still have a day to join us, either online or in downtown Helsinki! weingames.fi/dei-summit/

The third We in Games Experience survey is here: forms.office.com/e/cDhKgxhvrb If you currently work, have previously worked, study, are seeking employment in the Finnish game industry or are closely connected to the field, consider participating this survey!

I'm pretty proud that our little research project with @controlledstumble.bsky.social on duoethnography and non-binary experiences will be on stage at Cultural Studies Conference in December 2025 ✨ And we both will be there! sites.utu.fi/kultut2025/i...

The newest Finnish game industry report is out and there is _FINALLY_ a small increase in the number of women working in the industry. I've been monitoring this number since around 2010, so this is news! neogames.fi/the-finnish-...

Game industry parties are for everyone? My article on inclusion at game industry events was published in the DiGRA 2025 proceedings this summer. The focus is on underrepresented groups beyond genders. If you organise industry events, I’d love to hear your thoughts! dl.digra.org/index.php/dl...

Although I am not entirely happy returning from the woods to the city, there are things in my neighbourhood that make me <3 this place: youngsters camping in the park next to their school the night before their classes start, a tough delivery man peaking softly to his old dog who travels with him.

Data analytics: friend, foe, messy coworker? Emotions in game data work is my first academic baby, born sometimes in 2022 when I was analysing the IDA project material with Heikki Tyni and Olli Sotamaa. I was so unsure to present the finding to our work group, but luckily they showed some interest.

📢 The Internet Archive needs your help. At a time when information is being rewritten or erased online, a $700 million lawsuit from major record labels threatens to destroy the Wayback Machine. Tell the labels to drop the 78s lawsuit. 👉 Sign our open letter: www.change.org/p/defend-the... 🧵⬇️

The UK supreme court has ruled that the terms “woman” and “sex” in the Equality Act refer only to biological women and biological sex. This is as far from gender equality as I can think of.

If you work in academia, you should know about this. The US government demands changes from Harvard, the Harvard president says no. "The University will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights.” 💪

More Tampere events! Leaderboard next Friday 11th April at the university. Not organised by us, but the great folks of Tampere Game Hub. Great speakers, also me :) tampere.games/leaderboard-...

This spring is full of interesting game industry events ✨ This week's the event is Bit1, happening in Helsinki on Friday 4th. The event showcases the games young talents have made, absolutely my favs! Sadly I'll be teaching in Tampere, but luckily there is also an option for online attendance too!

If you are in Tampere this Friday and interested about game making, consider participating in our Game Industry Panel event starting 14.15 at OASIS (Pinni B, Tampere Uni main campus). I am very proud of the talented lineup we got for this panel! More info: www.facebook.com/events/10132...

Good reminder from Suvi: the game industry isn't only about big studios and profit-seeking. "Most games are made in living rooms and dormitories, during game jams, by students and hobbyists, often just for fun." This is the part of the industry I wish would get more attention!

We argue that creative work and data work in game companies are gradually converging. Would you agree? Our article about game data work with Heikki Tyni and Olli Sotamaa is out and free to read! journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....

So, "illegal and immoral discrimination programs, going by the name “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI)" need to be stopped so that the government can serve "every person with equal dignity and respect". But... isn't that the goal of every DEI program? www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...

Finns don't talk, but a game made them social :D If you wish to know more, do follow Elina's dissertation or read her book! www.tuni.fi/en/news/elin...

This is me in academia.

Mark your calendar: Festival of Game Culture (29.–31.5.2025, Tampere) is a celebration of games, play and scholarship. This witty, playful, thought-provoking and fun event both summarizes some of the work conducted in the CoE GameCult in 2018-25 and explores the future prospectives for game culture.

⭐ “It just took one person to believe in what I could become one day". Be that one person for someone. ⭐ Today is Equality Day here in Finland, and for this I wrote a blog post of ways to support new talents in the game industry (suitable other industries too). weingames.fi/tribute-to-d...

Suomalaisten erityinen luontosuhde: ensin päästät koiran luonnoneläimiä pelottelemaan aikana, jolloin koiran pitäisi olla kiinni tai välittömästi kytkettävissä, ja kun eläin pelästyttyään puolustautuu vaadit sen tappamista. www.hs.fi/kotimaa/art-...

Save the date! The Nordic DiGRA 2025 conference will be held at the University of Turku, Finland, on May 26–28, 2025. The theme of the conference is "Hope: Envisioning the Future of Game Cultures". More information and the call for papers TBA. #gameresearch #gamestudies

Parasta just nyt: Poronuoret Yle Areenassa. Rehellistä, tuttua mutta niin kovin erilaista ja ah niin koukuttavaa!

We are now also starting to publish English summaries of original Finnish language research articles in the website of the Centre of Excellence in Game Culture Studies: coe-gamecult.org

Our PEGASUS project got funded! The next two years will be about equity and game cultural sustainability among players and game makers in Finland <3 Do expect to hear more :D www.facebook.com/TAUgamelab/p...

calling experimental/weird art game creators: i'm involved with the Experimental Game Workshop at GDC this year. we're looking for new and unusual games to showcase of all types and sizes. if you're not sure if that's your game or not - you should submit! it's free! www.experimentalgameworkshop.org

From time to time someone asks what kind of games I like to play. My patent answer is “odd indie games” but when I am asked to name one, my mind blanks. For those upcoming blank moments, here is a list of a few. Device 6 (+all Simogo’s games!) The Dragon, Cancer If found… Samorost Far from Noise

When I started my ICT career almost 25 years ago, it was strictly no to discuss personal matters at work. Nowadays it is getting more common to encourage you to be yourself and companies are willing to help with personal life problems too. Where is that button to reboot my career?

It was a fine summer day when the topic of this panel was agreed. Now there are way darker tones, but perhaps even more important to openly discuss how talents from marginalised backgrounds can secure their rights in these political environments.

To follow fellow game researchers in Finland, check out this list set up by Mikko!

Changing careers brings out a new type of impostor syndrome. Now I'm worried that I won't be able to pass on the wisdom of all those wise people I have interviewed for my research.

I'm very much for everyone defining their own story and don't like mocking people for what they say as we all stumble sometimes, but I wish to note that when talking about people from working class background in the game industry or at university, my definition differs of Beckham’s.

After successfully implementing a late morning routine at work and in my studies for 23 years or so, I have been mercilessly defeated once again by an old boss: the primary school. Most of the kid’s schooldays start at 8 o'clock, which means we get up at 7. Can’t say I am enjoying this change.

Next Friday at W Love Games I will present some research results on the safety of game industry events in Finland and obstacles in attending the industry parties. Would love to hear comments & concerns, so come if you can! Other great speakers present too <3 www.wlovegames.org/speakers2023