All Finnish Game Jam 2022 sites are now open for registration! Joining are:
✨ FGJ Helsinki PHZ Game Studios
✨ FGJ Helsinki HypeHype Online
✨ FGJ Aalto GAME (Invite only)
All FGJ22 sites open for registration!
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Finnish Game Jam 2022
#FGJ22 is a game development event run in connection to Global Game Jam. #FGJ22 is arranged on 28th – 30th of January – as a part of Global Game Jam. With various different #FGJ22 online locations, Finland is celebrating the 13th Global Game Jam in 2022! To hear the latest updates, follow this page and our other channels:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/FinnishGameJam
Twitter: https://twitter.com/finnishgamejam
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/FinnishGameJam
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/finnishgamejam
Discord: https://discord.gg/5hMyXB3tyQ
How to join?
Participation requires registration through our Eventbrite page – each location has their own registration. All of the locations are different, contact your local organizer if you need more info.
What is a game jam?
A game jam brings together all types of game developers, amateurs, professionals and students to innovate new games in a single weekend or a similar short time span. Typically participants work in small teams, racing to produce as complete a game as possible with limited time and resources, but unlimited creativity.
What is a Global Game Jam?
Global Game Jam (GGJ) is the world’s largest game jam event taking place around the world at physical locations in every January. In 2017, jammers in 700 locations in 95 countries created over 7000 games.
What is Finnish Game Jam and #FGJ22?
Finnish Game Jam ry (FGJ) is a registered association founded to organize game jam events in Finland. Our main event is our annual game development event, which is part of the Global Game Jam (GGJ). This year’s event is called #FGJ22, and comprises of several game jam locations organized all around Finland. In #FGJ17, we had 22 locations, 888 jammers and 222 games created in one weekend!
Pride Game Jam Helsinki is here again, fully online 2-4 July 2021!
Pride Game Jam Helsinki is an annual three day game jam that celebrates LGBTQIA+ people by creating a safe space for expressing one’s gender, sexual and romantic experience through art, music and video games.
The event aims to educate on LGBTQIA+ experiences, and help budding game devs to learn key skills in teamwork, design, and familiarize with relevant software. Everyone is welcome, including allies, regardless of skill level and background.
Pride Game Jam Helsinki is part of Helsinki Pride Week 2021, and is organized by Finnish Game Jam ry in partnership with Helsinki Pride ry. Last year our jam ran as a hybrid jam, and this year we’re fully online. The main platform for the jam is our Discord server, to which you will be invited after registration. Panel talks, workshops and speakers will be streamed directly through Twitch, and game submissions will be through itch.io.
Sign up on Eventbrite
The event is completely free and the tickets are available in Eventbrite until June 27. If you sign up by June 22, you also get a care package with stickers, sponsored swag and snacks!
Before signing up, please familiarize yourself with the event’s code of conduct.
Follow our social media to find out more, and sign up for your tickets before they run out!
Eventbrite tickets: https://bit.ly/3uHp6pD
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/337692694448235
Quantum Wheel Report
Quantum Wheel, a game jam about quantum technology, was held in the heart of frozen Helsinki in February 15-17. The event was first of its kind, bringing independent game developers and physicists under one roof to innovate a union of games and quantum computing.
Finnish Game Jam is no stranger to quantum theory, having organized already four Quantum Game Jams in the past. Physicists have been invited to jam since the very first event, and for a couple of years jammers have had access to Quantum Black Box, a tool developed at the University of Turku. Quantum Wheel was the first event organized in collaboration with IBM as well as the first event to provide jammers with the IBM quantum computer Q Experience.
During the weekend Allas Sea Pool was inhabited by over 50 participants who made 10 games, all utilising quantum technologies in one way or another. The theme for the jam was “noise in the wheel”. The theme was inspired by the eponymous SkyWheel, where teams spent some time jamming above the city.
One team took a step further, bringing quantum computing into physical world. They designed a card game that teaches players how to program on a quantum computer, and an actual quantum computer will also decide who wins the game.
Quantum Wheel garnered international interest as well, and Wired UK wrote an article featuring the event. You can read it here: https://www.wired.co.uk/article/quantum-game-jam-finland-helsinki
Make sure to try the games, all of them are available at Itch.io: https://itch.io/jam/quantum-wheel
Here you can read more about IBM’s Q Experience:
https://www.research.ibm.com/ibm-q/
Thank you for everyone for an amazing and unique event!
Quantum Wheel 15-17 Feb 2019
We are proud to have a new exciting jam in February 2019!
Quantum Wheel is a three day game jam at the heart of Helsinki aimed at creating games based on Quantum Physics, both for education and research.
The event continues the Quantum Game Jam series, and it is a collaboration with quantum physicists from the University of Turku, Aalto University and from IBM Zurich, who will participate in the jam. The list of participants includes also many experienced game developers and jammers from Finland and around the globe.
In this jam, the participants create games that utilize Quantum Black Box (tool developed at the University of Turku) and/or IBM quantum computer Q Experience. Otherwise the teams are free to choose their games’ directions and technologies used.
The jam will have around 50 participants and will be located at the cozy Sea Allas Pool in the center of Helsinki. Additional inspiration for the jam will be extracted from riding the SkyWheel Helsinki!
The website is open, go see it here: http://www.quantumgamejam.com/quantumwheel/
Quantum Wheel
15-17 February 2019
Allas Sea Pool / SkyWheel Helsinki
Katajanokanlaituri 2
00160 Helsinki
Finland
Allas Sea Pool is a gardenlike oasis in the heart of Helsinki with a large pool area and magnificent saunas. In addition to swimming, bathing in the saunas and good food, Allas Sea Pool offers many options for wellness. Spending a perfect day at Allas means relaxing, lingering, enjoying with all senses, both the body and the mind – in the middle of Helsinki, next to the Market square, every day of the year.
Website: https://www.allasseapool.fi/en/
SkyWheel Helsinki is an Observation Wheel is situated in Katajanokka, one of the most beautiful locations in Helsinki, right next to the market square. From 40 meters high you may see over the city, sea and surrounding islands.
Website: http://www.skywheel.fi/en/
#FGJ19 Report
Another FGJ wrapped up, thank you everyone!
Global Game Jam weekend has come and gone and we are one jam experience richer. 48 hours is a short time to develop a game from scratch, and every year we are amazed at what the jammers are able to do within such a limited timeframe!
This year in Finland we had a total of 884 jammers who developed 218 games. You can find all the games on the Global Game Jam page:
https://globalgamejam.org/2019/games?title=&country=FI
On a global scale there were in total 47 000 jammers who made 9000 games at 860 sites in 113 countries, which makes this Global Game Jam the biggest game jam ever held! 10 new countries joined the fun, as sites were set up in Azerbaijan, Iraq, Sri Lanka, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kenya, Ivory Coast, Myanmar, Namibia, and Rwanda.
The global theme for GGJ19 was “what home means to you”, and jammers incorporated it in their games in countless different ways: there was homesickness, homelessness and house parties, to name a few.
We were lucky to have amazing national and local sponsors this year as well. We want to extend a big thank you to all sponsors one more time, we couldn’t have made #FGJ19 this awesome without them
The national gold sponsor was Supercell.
The national silver sponsor was Veikkaus Game Studio.
Thank you again everyone who attended or followed the action through our streams and social media, it was a blast of a weekend!
See you at the next jam!
Finnish Game Jam 2019 (Global Game Jam)
As 2019 draws closer so does the main event of the year: Finnish Game Jam!
It is again time to get jamming with the rest of the planet. Finnish Game Jam 2019 is organized as part of the Global Game Jam that will be held throughout the entire world at the same time. Naturally Finland will participate, now for the 10th time!
We currently have 8 public locations confirmed in Finland: Helsinki, Turku, Vaasa, Kymenlaakso, Kajaani, Ylivieska, Kuopio and Turku. If your area is missing a site here is your chance to organize one yourself! Site applications can be made through Global Game Jam’s website. Site application is open until January 10th, but we recommend you act fast to be able to prepare for the jam.
If you have questions about organizing a site or need help feel free to contact us.
More info will follow throughout December!
Finnish Game Jam (Global Game Jam)
25-27 January 2019
These are the Finnish Game Jam Awards of 2018!
On Wednesday November 28 we gathered together at Finnish Game Jam Awards to celebrate not only jam games but also all the great people in the community!
All of the awarded games have been made in different game jams organized by Finnish Game Jam during the 2017-2018 season.
Games
Rievssat
Nature Leap Award
Sami Game Jam (2018)
- Asla Guttorm
- Elie Abraham
- Leevi Halonen
- Magoda Wegiel
- Nigá Aikio
- Samuli Jääskeläinen
- Sofi Kurtti
- Zuzanna Buchowska
A story of a land amidst change. The metamorphosis can truly be witnessed by those who have been there since the early days. By each turn of the century and through the light of innovation, the landscape becomes more than what it has been. But what is the nature of this change? This ambitious jam game creates a beautiful atmospheric flying adventure with a help of Leap motion controller and custom made pedal. In addition to technological feats, Rievssat takes the stressful theme of Sami people as strangers in their own land and makes the game into a universally appealing experience around the eight seasons.
Switchboard Operator
Connect, Please Award
FGJX, FGJ Turku
- Jenni Lehmonen
- Kasperi Ekqvist
- Markus Sukoinen
- Matti Mänty
The challenge of connecting people before the days of “Connecting people” is immediately clear in this story timed around the early ages of the telephone. It is up to the player to investigate who should be talking to whom in this simulation of a telephone center before the benefits of the internet, automation, or even FGJ. This game, not unlike a certain indie sensation about papers, engulfs the player with its charming audiovisual presentation, and provides the feeling of what it is to truly connect those in need. Switchboard Operator is surprisingly polished game for a 48h jam and pleases us as jam players on many aspects.
Double Cooked
Frozen Hedgehog Award
ASM Game Jam ‘18
- Samuli Jääskeläinen
- Miika Pelkonen
- Thiyagarajan Manihatty Bojan
- Juha Korhonen
- Jari Miranda
- Pyry Takkunen
Remember the good old times when you couldn’t play games without a printed manual? Why not dive into that era in a game jam? The graphics and music of this Dark Souls of casual cooking games successfully capture the nostalgia of olden days. The effort to develop for old hardware is already worthy of a mention, as old consoles and their methods are gradually forgotten as technology goes forward. Double Cooked is a great example of how game jams can be used to explore what has been done before, but you just were not old enough back in the day to be part of it. In the end, how many jam games come on a cartridge?
Krokoralli
More Buttons Award
Pikku Kakkonen Game Jam (2018)
- Niilo Kajala
- Laura Horton
- Selja Tanskanen
- Krista Erkkilä
- Samuli Jääskeläinen
- Jaakko Sirén
- Elie Abraham
A game for kids made by kids, big and small. This game delivers an audiovisual feast co-created with the tiny creators around Finland and focuses on fun and interaction. The game was inspired by the drawings of the kids and the team has done a good job in making as many as possible of the drawings come to life. Fittingly to the young players, game features a big collection of buttons to smash and one sweet crocodile that travels all around the globe. You can take your friends for a ride, just cruise around taking it easy and honking to passers-by. Krokoralli is a modern version of the 70/80s Turbo Tomy and makes us all smile!
Alone, together
Existence Award
FGJX, FGJ Otaniemi
- Elie Abraham
- Zuzanna Buchowska
- Francesco Fontana
- Hannu Koivuranta
- Xiao Xiao Ma
- Helena Sorva
Life has always been around. For centuries we as a human race have evolved, longed for something that is missing. We have conquered the lands, seas and even the air. Soon we will begin our next journey towards the vast unknown of the space. This atmospheric and poetic walking simulator captures universal moments in our fragile existence, now and in eternity. Crafting meaning through the imageries of the game scenes and choices of our internal voices, Alone Together delivers a thoughtful message with elegantly crafted scenes and stands out from the crowds of jam games.
The Tag Game
You’re It Award
FGJX, FGJ Turku
- Sonja Yrjölä
- Emma Louhivuori
- Vilho Louhivuori
- Mirka Raasakka
- Iida-Sofia Kivistö
- Frida Lindholm
The thrill of the chase. A rather creepy chase. A chase where the reversal of roles is a fact of life, if only through a simple poke to the back. This captivating yet simple jam game manages to take a yard game we have all played and turns it into an out of the ordinary experience with deeper layers. The Tag Game makes you wonder what is the meaning of “it” and how does “it” feel? The beauty of the game digs deep into the core of game jams and reminds us all how to jam with a quirky, fun-loving mind.
Special Awards
Elie Abraham
Jamtivist Award
With a simple sign and a big heart, Elie Abraham has shown a great example of the spirit of game jams. Traveling around the world, leaving a mark of Finnish jammers, promoting positive jam cultures, and beating the unnecessity of impostor syndrome, Elie has shown us all how to jam with a bang. We don’t care if Guinness World record would not want to put your name into their books, Elie, we just want 2 give this award 4 you.
Arvi Teikari
Superjammer Award
Finland is a country of remarkable jammers, superjammers indeed. Through a humble attitude towards jamming and game creation, Arvi Teikari has taken game jams to the next level of normal. Arvi’s journey with Baba is You has shown what one can achieve through the playful and explorative space of game jams. From winning the Nordic Game Jam to the double-winning of IGF, there is no doubt that Superjammer is You, Arvi.
Jambike
Special Jam Award
- Samuli Jääskeläinen
- Jonne Harja
Jonne and Samuli have taken game development and jamming to the extreme and done that while promoting green values for game development. Cycling over 600 kilometers is already an extraordinary accomplishment, but to also making a game while doing that – that’s the spirit! Jonne and Samuli have made it hard for the rest of us to try to top the game of game jams.
Outstanding Support Awards
- Veikkaus
- Futureplay
- Grand Cru
- Remedy Entertainment
Finnish Game Jam would not be able to do what we do without the long-standing support from the Finnish game studios. This year, we want to highlight our biggest supporters and say a big big thank you. Veikkaus, Futureplay, Grand Cru and Remedy do not only support the jammers with swag and pizza, but they also keep on jamming with us and have done that for a long time!
Finnish Game Jam Awards 28.11.2018
We cordially invite you to The Finnish Game Jam Awards on November 28, 2018 in Helsinki!
We have seen many incredible jams, jammers, and jam games this season, and again it is time to celebrate the creativity and daringness of the Finnish jamming community!
We are already in November, so it is only natural to make this our Christmas party as well! Christmas attires (especially hats) are strongly encouraged, but not mandatory. You will also get to meet Santa Claus, who is a great admirer of the game jam community and will make a special visit. Bring a small present if you wish to receive one!
The partyplace is Apollo Karaoke Bar on Mannerheimintie 16, right in the center of Helsinki.
Join the event by registering through Eventbrite here.
You can find the Facebook event here.
Don’t forget the official event hashtag #FGJAwards
See you all there!
Finnish Game Jam Awards
28.11.2018, 7 pm – 11 pm
Apollo Karaoke Bar
Mannerheimintie 16
00100, Helsinki
History is transferred into games in Museo Game Jam
In Museo game jam a diverse group of game developers and museum professionals came together to create games inspired by museum exhibition items. The jam was organized in collaboration of Finnish Game Jam Ry, Finnish Museum of Games and Stories to Games (Tarinat peliin) project as an effort to explore how non-game archive materials can be turned into games and installations.
The venue had an important role. The jam was held at the Museum center Vapriikki in Tampere, which hosts a diverse collection of museums, and is also the home of Finnish Museum of Games (Suomen Pelimuseo). Museum of Games holds an extensive archive of games, both digital and non-digital.
The archives and materials of Vapriikki worked as the main inspiration of the games. Researchers and other experts from several museums in Vapriikki presented the exhibition items that were curated for the jam. There was not a single set theme in the jam, instead the jammers used the presented items as their inspiration.
All of the games were open for public playtesting a day after the jamming ended.The jam attracted in total 32 jammers who created 8 games. You can download all the games for free from the jam’s Itch.io page.