In the sixth episode of our "Further Questions" series on the Games Now podcast, we engage with Jussi Autio, the Creative Director at Resistance Games.

In November 2023, Jussi shared insights from his presentation titled “Giving Birth to Saudi Arabian Game Companies.” He discussed his role as a mentor in the Game Founders Saudi Arabia program, adapting his successful model from the Oulu Game Lab in Finland. Jussi guided 100 participants through an incubator phase, with 15 teams advancing to an accelerator program. In his talk, Jussi also drew comparisons between his mentorship experiences in Saudi Arabia, Finland, Japan, and the Netherlands.

With over 17 years in the game industry, Jussi is a business-oriented game designer who has led teams to win numerous awards. Join us as we explore Jussi's further perspectives on the future of the Saudi Arabian game market, women's participation in game development within Saudi Arabia, and how cultural differences impact his mentorship approaches. Tune in for "Further Questions" on global game industry from a Finnish perspective!

Check the original lecture "Giving Birth to Saudi Arabian Game Companies" at: https://youtu.be/NYMXJNdfpGM

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In the fifth episode of our "Further Questions" series on the Games Now podcast, we engage with Dr. Kati Heljakka, a toy researcher at the University of Turku.

In February 2024, Kati delivered an exciting presentation titled “Toys, Media and Machines — What are we playing with?” She explored the evolution of toys and play in our media-saturated, technologically advanced world. Kati discussed the fusion of physical objects, transmedia narratives, and advanced technology in modern playthings, such as digital toys and toy robotics.

Dr. Heljakka specializes in toys, play, and playful learning. Her current research focuses on speculative toy fiction, play machines, and integrating playful learning into professional and educational settings. Join us as we explore Dr. Heljakka's insights on adult toy play trends, the impact of "Kidult" culture on toy design and marketing, and how toy design can evolve to better facilitate adult engagement in play activities. We also discuss Dr. Heljakka's personal connection to childhood toys and her predictions for the future of the toy industry.

Check the original lecture "Toys, Media and Machines" at: https://youtu.be/jmW4AvoVyuk

Follow Games Now! on social media: https://gamesnow.aalto.fi/channels/

Games Now! is an open learning community, we welcome everyone to join!

In the fourth episode of our "Further Questions" series on the Games Now podcast, we engage with Jordan Magnuson, an independent game maker and scholar.

In November 2023, Jordan presented a talk titled “Videogames Are Poems,” exploring how video games can transcend traditional symbols to evoke complex emotions and convey deep meanings, akin to poetry. Known for experimental games like Loneliness, Jordan's work delves into nuanced emotional landscapes, featured on Wired and PC Gamer and showcased in international festivals.

Join us as we delve into Jordan's insights on the use of poems as tools in game creation, the intentional and emergent nature of video game poems, and Jordan's personal pride and reflections on his game poems. Tune in to learn more!

Check the original lecture "Videogames Are Poems" at: https://youtu.be/C1UepnhRFOk

Follow Games Now! on social media: https://gamesnow.aalto.fi/channels/

Games Now! is an open learning community, we welcome everyone to join!