#xmasjkl 2023
Ilokivi, Jyväskylä, Finland, Nov 10th 2018
#XmasJKL 10th of Nov 2023
Join us for an exciting in-person event, #XmasJKL 2023 – The Finnish Game Industry Business Seminar, on Fri Nov 10, 2023 at 10:00 AM. This seminar will take place at Ilokivi, Keskussairaalantie 2, 40100 Jyväskylä, offering a fantastic opportunity to network and learn from industry experts.
Discover the latest trends and insights in the Finnish game industry, as well as valuable business strategies. Gain valuable knowledge from renowned speakers, engage in interactive discussions, and forge new connections with like-minded professionals.
Whether you’re a game developer, entrepreneur, investor, or simply interested in the gaming world, #XmasJKL 2023 is the place to be. Don’t miss out on this incredible event that promises to inspire, educate, and entertain.
Mark your calendar, and get ready to level up your game industry expertise at #XmasJKL 2023 – The Finnish Game Industry Business Seminar!
The Venue - Ilokivi
#XmasJKL 2023 – Shall be held this year at the legendary Ilokivi Venue, Keskussairaalantie 2, 40600 Jyväskylä, Fnland.
Ilokivi is a legendary rock club by night and a spacious Living room with a cafe by day. The Venue hosts a wide range of cultural activities: live music shows, DJ clubs, stand up comedy, burlesque, theatre and films.
Its about 25 min walk from the Jyväskylän Matkakeskus, where is the bus and train station.
There are hardly any parking spaces available near Ilokivi so it is recommended to come by bus or walking. Bus stops Yliopisto 1 and 2 are located on Keskussairaalantie, in close proximity to Ilokivi.
VIP Sauna (Opinkivi) is next to the Ilokivi venue and it has separate sauna for men and women that can be used sametime also Heated Jacuzzi – outdoor hot tub in the back patio of sauna, So get Your swimsuit with you VIP person.
Read more and see pictures: Opinkiven sauna
#XmasJKL 2023 - Speakers - with 45 min + 10min QA slots
Ilari Kuittinen
Title: Studio Head
Company: Housemarque
Topic:
Strategic decisions of an independent studio
Bio:
Ilari Kuittinen is the co-founder and Studio Head of the award-winning game studio Housemarque. Ilari started his career in 1993, when he co-founded one of the first game studios in Finland, before co-founding Housemarque with Harri Tikkanen two years later. After 26 years of full-time entrepreneurship and running an independent game studio, Housemarque joined PlayStation Studios family in 2021.
The studio’s most recent game “Returnal” released in 2021 on PlayStation 5 was a critically acclaimed title with a metacritic score of 86. The game also won several prestigious game awards such as Best Action Game at The Game Awards and many game of the year awards including Bafta Best Game Award.
The company is currently focusing on developing the next game production under the PlayStation Studios umbrella and has grown to a 120 people strong company. Our purpose is to create unique game experiences and our system goal is to create a product-focused learning organization that is optimized for adaptiveness, learning, and customer value.
Salla Hakkola
Title:
Composer, Harpist, Performance Artist, Founder of Tonally Oy
Company: Tonally Oy
Topic:
Quality music in games – what’s the point, what it takes and how to make the most of it
Bio:
Salla Hakkola is an award winning harpist-composer and performance artist focusing in Game & Film music and experimental electric harpism.
She worked as a composer and music consultant at Rovio Entertainment in 2011-2019, and her recent works include soundtracks for Clash of Clans and Merge Mansion, to name a few. She has worked with ensembles ranging from top symphony orchestras (Helsinki Philharmonic, Avanti!, Seattle Symphony Orchestra) and contemporary chamber groups to jazz and indie-pop combos.
Hakkola won the best soundtrack prize in Game Audio Awards 2016 (the Fruit Nibblers by Rovio), the NYX Game Awards 2023 the Best Music in Mobile (Merge Mansion by Metacore), and NYX Game Awards 2023 for the Best Original Game Soundtrack (Friends & Dragons by Playsome).
Joni Finne
Title: Vice-Chairperson
Company:
IGDA Finland / Finnish Game Jam
Topic:
Not sure what I did, but here I’m!
Bio:
Joni is a games industry workhorse who has been involved in the industry for almost ten years. Currently he works as a teacher in the vocational school in Kouvola but for the games industry he is involved with associations and community work with Finnish game devs.
Vice-chairing both IGDA Finland and Finnish Game Jam and providing support for up-and-coming young developers in his local scene in Kymenlaakso.
Olli Raudus
Title: CEO, Co-founder
Company: All Hats Oy
Topic:
The highs and lows of being a founder of a game company
Simo Ollonen
Title: CEO, Co-founder
Company: All Hats Oy
Topic:
The highs and lows of being a founder of a game company
Bio:
Simo and OIli have been working together on games since 2017. During this 6 year long journey, they’ve founded three companies and experienced the ups and downs of being a founder of a game company. The vast majority of their experience is in mobile game development, but they’re also one of the first developers in Finland to start building on UGC platforms such as Roblox and Fortnite.
Join this talk to hear the story and learnings of founding their first company (LunarByte) during their studies, growing their second company (Skunkworks) from zero to millions and then going back to zero and still continuing on this journey with their newest company (All Hats).
Sami Kalliokoski
Title: CEO
Company: Traplight
Topic:
Navigating Mobile Business in 2023 (from Traplight’s perspective)
Bio:
Sami Kalliokoski is CEO of Traplight with 20+ years of experience on games industry. He has worked on various dev and leadership roles on art, programming, design, production and business development. As an entrepreneur he has co-founded two game studios, navigated exits, raised multiple funding rounds, and weathered through tough times.
Sami’s passion lies in UGC, holistic systems, and nurturing teams that grow and adapt, facing challenges head-on. For Sami, the thrill isn’t just in the game, but in pushing its boundaries.
#XmasJKL 2023 - Schedule Fri 10th of November
#XmasJKL 2023 – The Finnish Game Industry Business Seminar Fri 10th of Nov, Ilokivi, Jyväskylä , Ilokivi, Jyväskylä The most relaxed game business seminar and networking event. Put your Christmas hat on and join us!
Schedule:
10.00 | Doors Open – Registering Open
10.00 | Demo Area Open
11.00 – 11.15 | Welcome words by Chair Person Wanda / Valtteri Lahti & Event Director Mira Oja
11.15 – 11.30 | Opening words BusinessJKL, City of Jyväskylä
11.30 – 11.50 | Mika Karhulahti Jamk, Raine Koskimaa JYU
12.00 – 12.55 | Speaker Joni Finne, Vice-Chairperson, Company: IGDA Finland / Finnish Game Jam
Topic: Not sure what I did, but here I’m!
13.00 – 14.15 | Lunch at Ilokivi
14.30 – 15.25 | Speaker Sami Kalliokoski, CEO, Company: Traplight
Topic: Navigating Mobile Business in 2023 (from Traplight’s perspective)
15.25 – 15.40 | Break (15 min)
15.40 – 16.35 | Speakers Olli Raudus CEO & Co-Founder & Simo Ollonen CTO & Co-Founder, Company: All Hats Oy
Topic: The highs and lows of being a founder of a game company
16.35 – 16.50 | Break (15 min)
16.50 – 17.45 | Speaker Salla Hakkola, Composer, Harpist, Performance
Artist, Founder of Tonally Oy, Company: Tonally Oy
Topic: Quality music in games – what’s the point, what it takes and how to make the most of it
17.45 – 18.00 | Break (15 min)
18.00 – 18.55 | Speaker Ilari Kuittinen, Studio Head, Company: Housemarque
Topic: Strategic decisions of an independent studio
19.00 – 19.30 | Panel with the Speakers
Break
After party
20.00 | “Doors open”
20.15 | The Next Level Awards
20.30 | DJ & VJ
23.00 | End Of After Party
SPEAKERS slots 45 min + QA 10 min
Ilari Kuittinen, Managing Director of Housemarque
Salla Hakkola, Composer, Harpist, Performance Artist, Founder of Tonally Oy
Olli Raudus CEO & Co-Founder / Simo Ollonen CTO & Co-Founder of All Hats
Joni Finne, Vice-Chairperson, of IGDA Finland / Finnish Game Jam
Sami Kalliokoski, CEO, Traplight
#XmasJKL 2023 - Highlights
"Day Zero" Thu 9th of Nov - #XmasJKL 2023 - Schedule
“DAY ZERO” at Digi & Game Center!
We shall have a day before the main event a “Day Zero” networking event at multiple times awarded Coworking space and Ecosystem Digi Game Center (DGC). Digi & Game Center is also the place where IGDA Finland Jyväskylä Hub Meetups happens now days. The Premises are just 15 min from Matkakeskus by walking or about 5 min walk from Jyväskylä city center .
Get to know the premises and network: 14.00-18.00 (2-6pm)
– some snacks, coffee / tea offered
Sauna at the DGC 20:00-23.00
If You attend the Sauna please take Your own towels with You
There will be first Women Sauna 20:00 – 21:00 and then later Men turn 21:15 – 22:30
Read more about: Digi & Game Center
This is day event is open for all, but we would like to know how many is visiting so please do sign via Eventbrite too: Day Zero ticket
#XmasJKL 2023 - Highlights
#XmasJKL 2023 Partners
Hotel discounts for #XmasJKL and “Day Zero“ visitors!
Reserve hotel for your stay!
We have partnered with GreenStar Hotel and Hotel Milton.
Check price and reservation details here
#XmasJKL 2023 is looking for partners!
Want to make impact and join with us as Partner?
We are looking for partners to make great event, let us know if Your company would be interested to be amazing partner for the unique game industry event in Finland.
Contact directly via email:
Tuomas Roininen, Vice Chairman, email: tuomas.roininen(at)expa.fi
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