#XmasJKL 2024
Ilokivi, Jyväskylä, Finland, Nov 15th 2024
All of the photos are taken by Joonas Nieminen (joonasnieminen.fi)
If you’re planning to use these images on social media etc. remember to tag him.
#XmasJKL 15th of Nov 2024
Join us for an exciting in-person event, #XmasJKL 2024 – The Finnish Game Industry Business Seminar, on Fri Nov 15, 2024 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 2024 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 2024 – The Finnish Game Industry Business Seminar!
The Venue - Ilokivi
#XmasJKL 2024 – 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.
#XmasJKL 2024 - Speakers - with 35 min + 10min QA slots
Juha Vainio
Head of the Control Franchise
Executive Producer of Control 2
Topic: “Strategic decisions of an independent studio”
Juha Vainio is the Head of the Control Franchise and the EP of Control 2 at Remedy Entertainment. He has over twenty years of management experience in software development and over ten years of production experience in the games industry.
As the Head of the Control Franchise he is currently e.g. overseeing the development of two Control game projects. On the original Control he was the Lead Producer heading the production and shipping the game.
At Rovio he worked as a Senior Producer on big mobile and web titles such as Angry Birds and Angry Birds Star Wars, and as the CEO of Epic Owl he shipped the still-profitable free-to-play mobile game Space Arena: Build and Fight with virtually no budget.
Richard Salo
Senior Business Development Manager
Topic: “The Epic Ecosystem of Games, Tools and Marketplaces”
Richard has spent the last six years at Epic Games, where he now leads Epic’s efforts in the Nordics from a business development perspective, focusing on Unreal Engine. Richard lives in Sweden and is also half-finish!
Before he joined Epic he worked at Quixel, which was later acquired by Epic.
Richard will take you on a deep dive into the Epic Games ecosystem and explain how Epic enables AAAs and Indies to create awesome games and experiences, as well as share the visionary path Epic is charting for the future, highlighting the tools and opportunities that continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in game development.
Yumi Oishi
Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Topic: “From Awareness to Action: Taking Steps Towards Neuroinclusion”
The games industry has a high prevalence of neurodivergent individuals, making neuroinclusion essential. This presentation explores neurodiversity fundamentals and shares practical insights from our year-long journey toward a neuroinclusive workplace. They will provide actionable steps for leaders, HR, and employees to get started.
Yumi is the Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Rovio. In her current role, she is responsible for designing and delivering the company’s DEI strategy across 6 countries and 500+ employees. By taking a structured, analytical and practical approach, she seeks to transform the organization one step at a time. Prior to Rovio, she worked at Google and Nokia in their Tokyo and Zurich offices within their HR function.
Adrian Weber
Virtual Production Supervisor
Topic: “Bringing real-time to film productions: How Game Engines change the way movies are made”
Adrian Weber is a Virtual Production Supervisor at Fireframe, where he has worked on diverse productions worldwide. His credits include notable projects like Poor Things and Constellation, collaborating with clients such as Netflix, Apple TV+, and Amazon. Adrian is dedicated to both advancing virtual production techniques and training the next generation of talent in this evolving field.
Dmytro Zhovtobryukh, PhD
CEO & Co-founder
Topic: “Measuring indie success: the case of Snowhound”
Dmytro Zhovtobryukh is CEO & Co-Founder at Snowhound Games, one of the most long-lived and stalwart game development studios from Central Finland, best known as the makers of Deep Sky Derelicts and Potion Tycoon original PC indie game titles. Ever since Snowhound’s establishment in 2015, Dmytro has led the company through ups and downs till present day, taking his main responsibility in business development, public relations and product management. Throughout the years he has sealed publishing deals for all Snowhound’s original video game IPs and helped the team develop and successfully launch them on a variety of platforms.
Natasha Skult
CEO & Creative Director
Topic: “Indie Game Business 101”
Natasha Skult is the CEO & Creative Director of MiTale, a game and software development company from Finland, focusing on interactive storytelling and narrative-driven experiences in mixed reality and gamification. She is an active member of the Finnish and international games industry as Chair-Emeritus of IGDA and Lead Organizer of W Love Games Conference. Besides industry work, she is also active in academic research and finishing her doctoral degree on the topic of “Interactive Storytelling With Quantum Computing” and teaching courses in game design and game (digital) art production at University of Turku in Finland and Ashesi University in Ghana.
2024 #XmasJKL Schedule
- Doors Open – Registering Open
- Demo Area Open at upstairs 13.00 – 17.25
- Welcome words by Chair Person Wanda / Valtteri Lahti & Code of Conduct by Expa Game Business Cooperative
- Opening words, City of Jyväskylä
- Mika Karhulahti, Jamk University of Applied Sciences & Raine Koskimaa Raine Koskimaa, University of Jyväskylä
Speaker: Richard Salo
Senior Business Development Manager
Epic GamesTopic: “The Epic Ecosystem of Games, Tools and Marketplaces”
- Lunch at Ilokivi
- (open until 15.30)
Speaker: Dmytro Zhovtobryukh, PhD
CEO & Co-founder
Snowhound Games
Topic: “Measuring indie success: the case of Snowhound”
- Break (15 min)
Speaker: Speakers Yumi Oishi
Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Rovio Entertainment Corporation
Topic: “From Awareness to Action: Taking Steps Towards Neuroinclusion”
- Break (20 min)
- Speaker: Adrian Weber
Virtual Production Supervisor
Fireframe
Topic: “Bringing real-time to film productions: How Game Engines change the way movies are made”
- Break (20 min)
Speaker: Natasha Skult,
Founder, CEOMiTale Ltd
Topic: “Indie Game Business 101″
- Break (15 min)
Speaker: Juha Vainio
Head of the Control Franchise
Executive Producer of Control 2
Remedy Entertainment Plc
Topic: “Strategic decisions of an independent studio”
- Break (50 min)
- “Doors open, mingling”
- The Next Level Awards
- DJ & VJ
- Dance floor in use!
- End Of After Party
- moving forward to after after party..
- Richard Salo, Senior Business Development Manager, Epic Games
- Dmytro Zhovtobryukh, CEO & Co-founder Snowhound Games
- Yumi Oishi, Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Rovio Entertainment Corporation
- Adrian Weber, Virtual Production Supervisor, FireFrame
- Natasha Skult, Founder, CEO, MiTale Ltd
- Juha Vainio, Head of the Control Franchise, Executive Producer of Control 2, Remedy Entertainment Plc
"Day Zero" Thu 14th of Nov - #XmasJKL 2024 - 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
"Day Zero" 2024 - Highlights
#XmasJKL 2024 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
Subscribe to our mailing list!
Keep updated about Peliosuuskunta Expa and Digi & Game Center activities and special events.
We post our newsletter about once a month.
