Wacom is excited to announce its new partnerships with Expa Game Business Cooperative, strengthening its commitment to the game development community and the creative professionals who bring games to life.
Game developers, artists and designers are at the heart of the creative industry, and the game development market is an increasingly important part of Wacom’s world. Working closely with the industry is fundamental to Wacom’s ability to learn, innovate and ensure its tools continue to meet the evolving needs of creative professionals.
Through its partnerships with Expa Game Business Cooperative, Wacom aims to connect more closely with the game development community, listen to its needs and support the people shaping the future of games.
Wacom looks forward to learning, creating and innovating together with Finland’s vibrant game development community.
Wacom is a Japanese technology company best known for its professional pen tablets, interactive pen displays, and digital styluses, widely used by artists, designers, animators, and creative professionals.
2026 Expa Game Industry Alumni Day at Jyväskylä City Hall
Thank You for Joining Expa Game Industry Alumni Day 2026
Dear Expa Game Industry Alumni Day participants,
Thank you for joining us at the Expa Game Industry Alumni Day 2026 on August 13 at Jyväskylä City Hall!
It was a great day with a fantastic atmosphere, interesting discussions, and, most importantly, a lot of familiar and new faces from the Finnish game industry. We hope you enjoyed the event as much as we did.
The DGC Podcast: Switching countries and careers – unexpected ways to enter the Finnish game industry with Rory Warwick, Dreamloop games.
Taking the leap into not only into a new career in the games industry but also in a new country at the same time takes self-belief and a small bit of self-created good luck.
Present in the studio this month :
Rory Warwick. Associate producer of Dreamloop games.
Dmytro Zhovtobryukh: Lecturer, Jamk. CEO Snowhound games. deputy chairperson, Expa
Wanda O’rly: Host. Chairperson, Peliosuuskunta Expa. Producer, Psyon Games
The guest speaker at the Expa monthly meetup, Rory Warwick, associated producer at Dreamloop games talks with Wanda O’rly and Dmytro Zhovtobryukh about blind faith, work life in Finland and drawing parallel lines from seemly different jobs from other industries.’
What makes Finland a welcoming environment or challenging environment for international talent in games?
The Finnish game awards, Rory stated, is a great example of how the games industry remains supportive of one another considering that it could easily turn in a competitive market. It feels as if Finland is competing against the world as opposed to single companies and that a “rising tide lifts all ships” attitude prevalent in Finland. Dmytro agreed with that opinion adding, “it is a mantra for Finland that it is a community effort and new people arriving from the outside are surprised to learn this. It is natural that we do not compete as the country’s population is so small.”
Other topics covered in the podcast:
The flip side of the coin. What are challenges when working in Finland?
How did you experience translate into the games industry?
How did you find the courage to make the change?
For an international student or career changer, what practical advice, how can a person do to increase the chances of getting their first steps into the Finnish games industry?
To hear the full discussion click here:https://open.spotify.com/episode/7ig7rpEI0pMx98hYMf837r
The monthly meet-up evenings in the Digi&Game center is a chance to hear important insights from industry leaders and to network with game development professionals. At the event we host Game DemoCorner where people can show-off their latest creations be in a video or board game!
Find out more about our events here: https://expa.fi/expa-events/
Award To Chairperson Valtteri Lahti / Wanda: The Power Player of the Year 2026, Finnish Games Awards
The Power Player of the Year lifetime achievement recognition in the games industry was awarded to Valtteri “Wanda” Lahti at the Finnish Games Awards 2026. They are a key figure in the games industry in Jyväskylä, Central Finland and serves as current Chair of Expa Game Business Cooperative.
This is the most esteemed lifetime achievement award presented by the industry, previously presented to absolute giants and the most passionate and persistent change makers such as Jani Kahrama, Taina Myöhänen, Veli-Pekka Piirainen, Natasha Skult, PhD and Ilkka Paananen.
A shared strategy for Jyväskylä’s gaming sector – Expa, EduJyväskylä and the City of Jyväskylä agree on long-term collaboration
In the photo: on the left: Sanna Laakso, Program Manager, Defence and dual-use ecosystem, ICT and Cybersecurity, City of Jyväskylä and on the right: Expa Game Business Cooperative Chairperson Valtteri "Wanda" Lahti.
Expa Game Business Cooperative, EduJyväskylä’s educational institutions – Jamk University of Applied Sciences, the University of Jyväskylä and Gradia – together with the City of Jyväskylä have signed a new cooperation agreement that, for the first time, brings the development of the city’s gaming sector under a shared industry strategy.
The agreement, in force since 1 January 2026, aims to strengthen Jyväskylä’s position as a hub for the gaming industry, digital technology and related fields. Key focus areas include student employment, education development, R&D, international visibility and new company creation.
According to Expa Chair Valtteri “Wanda” Lahti, Jyväskylä has long had all the ingredients for growth – education, talent, companies and a strong community – and the agreement now brings them together under shared goals. Lahti was recently awarded Power Player of the Year by the Finnish game industry and recognised for advancing the agreement.
Expa supports educational institutions in tracking industry trends, identifying skills needs, finding experts and building students’ connections to working life. An annual matchmaking event brings together students, companies, internships, job opportunities and entrepreneurship support.
Students will also have access to Expa’s international #XmasJKL game business seminar.
According to Professor Raine Koskimaa, gaming education is a strategic strength for Jyväskylä, with strong potential to build a full talent pipeline from early interest to employment, entrepreneurship or international careers.
The cooperation will also produce joint publications, industry insights and visibility, while strengthening the Digi & Game Center as a hub for gaming and digital technology. The aim is to create an ecosystem where education, research, companies, startups, students and international networks support each other and generate growth.
According to Programme Manager Sanna Laakso, the gaming sector is part of a broader digital and creative economy, and with close collaboration between the city, educational institutions and companies, Jyväskylä has strong potential to become one of Finland’s leading gaming hubs – a place where talent can study, find work, start businesses and grow internationally.
Expa is a Jyväskylä-based game cooperative founded in 2012 and the local IGDA Finland hub lead. It operates as an open community, network and development platform for Central Finland’s gaming sector. EduJyväskylä brings together Jamk, the University of Jyväskylä and Gradia in cooperation with the city.
While Jyväskylä has had an active gaming ecosystem for over a decade, it has lacked a permanent, unified structure. The new agreement makes Expa’s ecosystem work a shared, resourced and measurable development programme, with impact tracked through indicators such as student employment, internships, events, new companies, investments, international visibility, projects, funding and publications.
Expa Internships & Employment Day 2026 was held on 18 February 2026 at Agora, University of Jyväskylä, as the first event under the new cooperation agreement. The event brought together 21 game companies from across Finland and over 150 students interested in internships and job opportunities. Photo: Hanna Hauvala, Jamk
Further information:
Valtteri “Wanda” Lahti, chairman Expa Game Business Cooperative 0405749006 valtteri.lahti@expa.fi
Sanna Laakso, Program Manager, Defence and dual-use ecosystem, ICT and Cybersecurity City of Jyväskylä 040 547 8299 sanna.laakso@jyvaskyla.fi
Lue artikkeli suomeksi: Jyväskylän pelialalle yhteinen strategia – Expa, EduJyväskylä ja Jyväskylän kaupunki sopivat pitkäjänteisestä yhteistyöstä
The Future of Gaming Takes the Stage: Bit1 Semifinals Held at Jyväskylä Digi & Game Center
The hunt for Finland’s next hit game reached a fever pitch in Jyväskylä as the Bit1 Semifinals took over the Digi & Game Center. Student teams showcased their talent, competing for a coveted spot in the national finals.
JYVÄSKYLÄ – The atmosphere at the Digi & Game Center (DGC) was electric as the Bit1 competition, Finland’s largest contest for student game developers, arrived for its regional semifinal. The event brought together the brightest young minds to pitch their projects to a jury of industry veterans.
A Hub for Innovation
The choice of venue was no coincidence. As the heart of the Central Finnish game industry, the Digi & Game Center provided the perfect backdrop for the event and a faithful audience. A few exciting game demos were showcased by aspiring Jamk student teams, including an impressive 2D retro-style metroidvania side-scroll shooter made by a solo dev and a couple of promising indie co-op multiplayer romps for “friendslop” lovers.
Insights from the Core: A Conversation with Dmytro Zhovtobryukh
Among the industry veterans guiding the next generation was Dmytro Zhovtobryukh, a central figure in the Finnish game education and development scene. An indie studio founder with a decade of leadership experience behind his back, a board member and Vice Chair of Expa Game Business Hub, and a lecturer at Jamk University of Applied Sciences, Dmytro’s has a rather unique perspective. He has experienced Bit1 from every possible angle: as an audience member, a judge, and a lead organizer.
Bridging the Gap Between Lectures and Legend
For Dmytro, Bit1 is far more than just a competition; it is a vital laboratory for professional growth. While classrooms provide the foundation, Dmytro believes the “magic” happens when students step into the arena.
“Students learn significantly more through practical work like Bit1 than they do during traditional studies,” Dmytro explains. “It gives them a genuine feeling of challenge and success, which is vital—it’s the kind of experience that truly ‘gives you wings.'”
He emphasizes that Bit1 serves as a reality check and a launchpad. It allows student teams to put theory into practice, helping them understand the industry’s inner workings while building the two pillars of a successful career: knowledge and connections.
The “Cave” Era is Over
When asked about the current state of game development, Dmytro is quick to dispel the myth of the lone developer. Today’s industry is as much about market and audience as it is about mechanics or pixels. Especially in a hub like Jyväskylä, the community is the catalyst for success.
“Success in game development requires more than just focused, solitary work,” he notes. In Dmytro’s view, effective networking is often the key to validating creative ideas and transforming a promising prototype into a viable product. Ultimately, technical proficiency works best when paired with the ability to communicate your vision to a broader, outside audience.
Advice for the Brave: “Baby Steps to Success”
For those looking to break into the industry or considering applying for future Bit1 events, Dmytro offers a mix of pragmatism and encouragement:
Be Bold and Brave: “Show your talent, even if it feels scary. You might feel like you don’t have what it takes yet, but you have to put those doubts aside and just do it!”
Master the Pitch: Dmytro views pitching as a craft. “It’s a skill, and to master it, you simply have to do it. Practice is essential; baby steps will eventually lead you to success.”
Find Your Edge: Don’t just follow trends. Find what makes your work unique and learn to communicate that “edge” clearly to your audience and business partners.
As the semifinals concluded at the Digi & Game Center, Dmytro’s message remained clear: the next generation of Finnish game developers needs every bit of help to truly shine — so Expa will by all means continue to pave the way to a brighter future for them. And events like the Bit1 contest will keep serving as low-barrier proving grounds to test their skills and ideas, one pitch at a time.
EXPA Unreal reseller : A professional fit for Professional Teams
Peliosuuskunta Expa – Epic Games license partnership:
A professional fit for Professional Teams
Great news from the house of EXPA! We are excited to share that Expa Game Business Cooperative is now an Epic Games licensing partner (only one in Finland)
At EXPA, we work closely with companies that build cutting edge, high-quality 3D digital content. From architecture and industrial design to simulations, interactive training, broadcast and movies and of course, games. Expa now supplies professional teams the tools and support they need to scale their work with confidence.
Why Professional Licenses Matter?
While Unreal Engine is famously available for free, professional license holders gain important advantages that go far beyond cost considerations:
Access to premium functionality and support options Professional users can benefit from enhanced support pathways and closer alignment with Epic’s ecosystem — critical for production environments where reliability matters.
Clear commercial terms Professional licenses provide straightforward, enterprise-friendly usage rights, making them ideal for client work, internal tools, simulations, and long-term commercial projects.
No revenue thresholds or royalty concerns For many non-game use cases, professional licenses remove uncertainty around revenue caps and royalty structures, allowing teams to focus on building rather than accounting
Designed for real-world pipelines Professional licensing is built with studios, enterprises, and R&D teams in mind, supporting complex workflows, collaboration, and long-term projects.
Why EXPA?
For 15 years EXPA has lead from front in the push for greater development and business in the games and digital creative industries in Central Finland
We are also an official Unreal training partner - Unreal Authorized Training Center (UATC).
We use what we sell. We understand both the creative and operational realities of using Epic products in professional environments, and we’re here to make the adoption smooth and future-proof.
We provide a full service or product and expert training
As a professional license reseller, EXPA doesn’t just handle licensing — we help organizations choose the right setup for their technical and business needs.
Get in touch with us to learn more about Epic Games Professional licenses and how EXPA can support your team.
If you’re considering Unreal Engine for professional or enterprise use, we’d be happy to talk through your goals and help you get started with the right license.
Contact via email: info@expa.fi
The Many Industries of Unreal Engine
Check video from Ari Arnbjörnsson, Epic Games as he dives into the different industries using Unreal Engine and how knowing the tech can help you advance your career.
Digitalization Deed of the Year 2025 Award Goes to Peliosuuskunta Expa (Expa Game Business Cooperative)
In the photo: on the left, Digital Committee Chair Joni Borgström; on the right, Expa Game Business Cooperative Vice Chair Tuomas Roininen. Photo: Tuula Rahikainen
Digitalization Deed of the Year 2025 Award Goes to Game Cooperative Expa!
The Digital Committee of the Central Finland Chamber of Commerce annually awards the “Digitalization Deed of the Year” to a company or organization that has excelled in the field of digitalization. This year, the award was given to Expa Game Business Cooperative (in Finnish Peliosuuskunta Expa) in recognition of becoming Finland’s first—and the world’s northernmost—Unreal Authorized Training Center. This designation allows them to offer official, high-quality training in the use of this cutting-edge technology across various sectors.
Expa Game Business Cooperative has achieved significant international recognition: it has been named Finland’s first and the world’s northernmost Unreal Authorized Training Center. The recognition was granted by the U.S.-based technology company Epic Games, known for the popular game Fortnite and its development platform Unreal Engine.
Unreal Engine is a game engine—i.e., a software platform—used for creating games, movies, animations, and virtual reality content. This recognition means that the Digi & Game Center can now provide official, high-quality training in leveraging this high-end technology across industries, from gaming and architecture to education and advertising.
The recognition was made possible through cooperation with the Finnish company Fireframe Studios, founded by Mikko Kodisoja, one of the co-founders of the game company Supercell. Fireframe Studios combines gaming and film technologies to develop new, immersive storytelling formats. Their work involves real-time graphics and so-called in-camera visual effects technology, where digital landscapes and effects are visible directly in the camera during filming, not just added in post-production.
This recognition strengthens Central Finland’s position as a pioneer in creative technology and opens up new opportunities for professionals and students across various fields to explore the latest tools in virtual production and interactive content.
" The Digitalization Deed of the Year award is a recognition of the long-term work carried out around the Digi & Game Center by many contributors. It's been great to see this kind of status even recognized as a possibility, and through determined efforts, achieved. With this status, we have an excellent opportunity to raise the visibility of the entire ecosystem and accelerate development even further. I now invite everyone to help boost this forward—there are many opportunities, and this is just the beginning. I want to sincerely thank everyone who has been part of building this community, especially Tuomas Roininen, who has led the effort," says Joni Borgström, Chair of the Digital Committee."
The award was presented on June 4th. Tuomas Roininen, Vice Chair of Game Cooperative Expa, accepted the award.
"We are deeply honored by this recognition, and it's especially meaningful that it comes from such a respected group of stakeholders. The award strengthens our belief that we are on the right path and makes the value we're building more visible. However, this is just the beginning—it’s a marathon. We’re now launching a new learning platform, around which we will build collaboration with Epic Games, educational institutions, and companies. Our goal is to strengthen Central Finland’s appeal and retention, support businesses, foster entrepreneurship and job creation, and ensure that skilled professionals stay in the region. We now have the infrastructure and partnerships in place to make this happen, and our discussions with international players are already progressing promisingly," says Roininen.
The Digitalization Deed of the Year award has been given annually since 2019.
Previous recipients include Trustmary (formerly kokemuksia.fi), Digi & Game Center, Howspace Oy, JAMK University of Applied Sciences, the University of Jyväskylä, and Valmet Technologies.
The mission of the Digital Committee is to enhance the competitiveness of Central Finland by promoting the development of the ICT sector. The goal is to increase Central Finland’s expertise and attractiveness as an ICT environment in education, research, and business, both locally and internationally. The committee aims to better connect service providers and users and foster new business through digitalization. It also addresses the educational needs of schools and universities from the perspective of business and industry.
Further information:
Joni Borgström, Chair of the Digital Committee, Central Finland Chamber of Commerce Tel: +358 40 911 2012 Email: joni.borgstrom@pengon.fi
Tuomas Roininen, Vice Chair of Game Cooperative Expa Tel: +358 50 380 0991 Email: tuomas.roininen@expa.fi
Read the orginal article “Vuoden digitalisaatioteko -palkinto Peliosuuskunta Expalle” in Finnish here:
Peliosuuskunta Expan hallitushaku 2025! – Join to the Expa Game Business Co-op new board and make a impact to the Game Industry Scene in Central Finland!
Expa Game Business Cooperative
Peliosuuskunta Expa hallitushaku seuraavalle kahdelle vuodelle on auki!
Osuuskuntakokous, jossa seuraava hallitus valitaan, pidetään 5.6.2025 Digi & Game Centerillä.
Mahti näköalapaikka tarjolla vaikuttamaan Keski-Suomen peli- ja digialan kehitykseen ja sen mukana tulevat hyödyt.
Hallituksesta löytyy monenlaisia vastuualueita, joten mukaan voi lähteä monella eri taustalla.
Join to the Peliosuuskunta Expa’s new board and make a impact to the Game Industry Scene in Central Finland!
Annual cooperative meeting shall be on 5th of June 2025 at Digi & Game Center. more details coming later, but we are looking for new Board members and volunteers to join our ranks to make Jyväskylä, Central Finland Game Industry scene more awesome!
Are you interested to be a Peliosuuskunta Expa’s board member?
Read more about the benefits and roles you could jump into
Greetings, denizens of DGC! I’m Niina (they/them) and I started my 2-month trainee period with Expa on Monday. I’m a 1st-year student of Business Administration at Gradia, focusing on financial management (accounting, bookkeeping, payroll, etc.). During this period I’m doing my competence demonstration in Customer Service.
A short history of who I am: I’ve volunteered and worked in and around the game industry for several years, been a lifetime gamer, and a chronic MMO-holic for way too many years. I have a background in media, some experience in coding, and a stint abroad doing technical support at a call center. Currently, as stated above, I find myself once again doing a 180-degree career change — inspired by my love for Excel sheets.
Let me know if there is anything I can help you with around the office. Or just say hi. See you around!
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