In connection with the participation of the Playa Game Industry Hub in supporting Game Ready, we interviewed the Finnish cluster and asked about its role in the gaming market of our northern neighbor.
Game Ready is a nomination for game projects of the international Web Ready competition.The questions are answered by Jan Storgårds, Head of ICT Business Development.
Jan Storgards
Hi!
Guys, tell us a little about yourself. What is the Playa Game Industry Hub, what do you do?Let’s just say that Playa is a community of game developers in Southeastern Finland.
We emerged in the wake of the rapid growth of Finnish and regional gaming industrial clusters. We have plans to become one of the most outstanding Finnish clusters. To become a community famous outside our country.
We help gaming startups to start their own business, to establish a business. We train them, look for funding for their projects, organize local events and bring developers to international events. We have connections with scientific institutes and major industrial players both in Finland and abroad. Currently, Playa cooperates with 50 companies and 10 universities.
East India CompanyListen, why do independent developers need clusters?
Why should they be together, they are independent! A cluster is a group of companies that are closely connected by a kind of business chain.
Its actors support each other and, as a rule, exchange experience. They don’t have to compete with each other, because most of them believe that there is enough space for everyone in the market.
The most important thing is this: each “node” finds its role in the cluster, adding additional value to it, making the cluster a full-fledged business ecosystem.
The cluster is developing because every “node” in the business ecosystem wants to be better, for example, by developing more and more good games.
Raven’s SsuAs far as we know, only Finnish companies are currently part of Playa.
We have also been told more than once that the Finnish government actively supports game developers. Actually, what does Playa give that Finland cannot give to developers?Yes, that’s right.
We have a very efficient infrastructure for game developers in our country.
Anyway, when it comes directly to work, there is a need for the private sector, which is interested in making money from the projects in which it invests. Playa, in turn, provides developers with tools and a business network within which everyone can exchange experiences and make useful acquaintances.
What does the workflow look like within the cluster?Companies meet, communicate, exchange knowledge and support each other.
The best ideas come when you listen to others. What is especially important, working within the cluster develops a sense of trust in the participants, gives them a basis on which everyone can rely.
The cluster also concerns leadership. Companies that stand out from the mass of other startups need to prove to other professionals their right to exclusivity, their authority, so that others will follow her. Without a cluster, there is no community from which you can somehow stand out.
The power of the crowd attracts people and capital. For example, talented people prefer to work in a cluster, because within it they find the coolest jobs, games and gadgets. Companies go to the cluster, because here social capital, skills, money and infrastructure meet together.
Moreover, a cluster is a much more powerful representation of the industry than a single company. This is important when there is a conversation with politicians or investors. A lot of projects – less risk when investing.
Permia – DuelsHow do you work with new developers?
We have developed a model that works great in practice.
It ‘s called Kickstart . This is a package designed to help new teams get started. That is, the purpose of the package is to create a company at the end of it.
Further, for young startups, we offer the Launchpad module – a training program that covers the most important elements of game development, publishing, rights, and so on.
When the business is already taking off, we recommend taking part in the Venture gym program, which promotes international growth and risk funding. If a company has high growth rates, it becomes a star. Stars train young startups.
Can you share success stories? Nitro Games has the longest history in our region.
Since 2007, they have developed 20 large titles. Another success story is Kukuri Mobile Entertainment, whose Tiny Troopers has been downloaded more than 3 million times to date. If we talk about our most recent successful projects, then this is Mystic Marbles.
At the moment, more than 20 companies are “bubbling”, so we are trying to work even harder to make their dreams come true. I would also like to mention the companies SongHi Entertainment, 3Bit, Seepia Games, Olento games and Serious Games Finland.
As already mentioned, a good cluster is an ecosystem consisting of completely different components. And we are thrilled that this summer Playground Publishing, one of the most innovative publishers in the world, has become part of Playa.
Tiny Troopers 2You are one of the sponsors of Game Ready.
Does this mean that you are looking closely at the Russian market and are ready to work with Russian teams?Yes, we support Game Ready.
It’s in everyone’s interest to make better and better games! We are waiting for cool new ideas from the contest.
As for cooperation.
Often people still think that a cluster is some kind of physical space, but nowadays virtual communities are becoming more and more important for development. Play – open to everyone.
We still have a lot to do, but I have to say that creating an international gaming cluster is a really exciting thing. I can’t wait to take the next step and start working together with Russian developers!