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

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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

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In the third episode of our "Further Questions" series on the Games Now! Podcast, we explore the insights of Heidi Rautalahti, a postdoctoral researcher from Aalto University.

In November 2023, Heidi delivered a presentation on the emotional labor involved in developing the game Runo. She discussed the complexities of designing a game rooted in rich cultural heritage, navigating its sensitive and controversial aspects. The development of Runo drew from childhood memories, historical narratives, and the creation of new, untold stories.

Join us as we delve into Heidi's insights on the rewarding aspects of Runo's development, the challenges of deciding what to include or exclude, and the concept of 'contemporary Finnishness'. We also discuss balancing historical accuracy with creative interpretation in cultural heritage themes, the importance of cultural diversity in game development teams, and the potential for a sequel to Runo.

Check the original lecture "Making “Runo” – Journey from History Lessons to Emotional Work" at: https://youtu.be/uqtx6Xcpa4k

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In the second episode of our "Further Questions" series on the Games Now! Podcast, we delve into the insights of Jussi Kemppainen, an industry veteran with expertise in VFX for video and game productions.

In November 2023, Jussi explored the integration of generative AI in game development through his project "Echoes of Somewhere," a 2.5D point-and-click adventure highlighting both the potential and challenges of AI tools. With nearly 25 years of experience at Ubisoft Redlynx, Supercell, Remedy, and Mainframe Industries, Jussi provides a seasoned perspective on the evolving landscape of creative technologies.

In this episode, we discuss Jussi's views on the future of generative AI in games, his recent experiments, and the evolving impact of AI on artists' roles and skills. Join us for an insightful "Further Questions" conversation with Jussi as he offers advice to aspiring developers keen on exploring AI in their projects.

Check the original lecture "Generative AI in Game Development" at: https://youtu.be/q8eMFjujitY

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In the first episode of our "Further Questions" series on the Games Now! Podcast, we revisit the November 2023 lecture by Finnish indie developer Arvi Teikari, creator of the acclaimed puzzle game "Baba Is You."

In this episode, we delve deeper into indie game development by addressing questions from our students. Arvi shares insights on how he has grown as a game developer since "Baba Is You" and discusses the challenges of balancing creative freedom with the practicalities of solo development. He also talks about managing time between updating existing games and embarking on new projects.

What does Arvi's future look like? How does he maintain discipline in his solo work? How does he engage with the community to enrich his games? Join us as we explore these questions and more in our conversation with Arvi. Tune in to our latest episode for an in-depth look at the nuances of indie game development and Arvi's journey in the world of creative work.

Check the original lecture "Baba is You - What Now?" at: https://youtu.be/9Y6TiY8RABs

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On our sixth episode of GN! Looking Back we talk with Joonas Laakso, a chief people & culture officer at Next Games. In 2015, Joonas took the stage as a production lead at Next Games discussing the process behind their AMC collaboration on The Walking Dead brand. In this episode, we listen a snippet of his 2015 lecture and proceed with reflecting what has happened between now and then. How is it like to work with licensed IP mobile games? How has the transition from production to HR been like for Joonas? What will the future hold for Next Games? Download our latest episode on Games Now Looking Back series to find out!

Check Joonas' original lecture "The journey to No’Mans Land" at: https://youtu.be/IYykjAgUuqY

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On our fifth episode of GN! Looking Back we talk with Elina Arponen, a game industry veteran and a serial entrepreneur, CEO and co-founder of Quicksave Interactive. In 2017, Elina gave a lecture at Aalto University about making games for chat applications - an exciting new area of games. In this episode, we listen a snippet of her 2017 lecture and proceed with reflecting what has happened between now and then. Is Elina still developing chat games? What has happened on the platforms in five years? How does that relate to web3 games and what are the audiences that Quicksave are working with? Download our latest episode on Games Now Looking Back series to find out!

Check Elina's original lecture "Developing Games for Chat Application" at: https://youtu.be/41Y-OQ2Nqi8

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