Key insights
5 slides
Industry Hub
Helsinki is the main center for Finland's game industry.
The city hosts more than 100 game studios, making it the primary hub for the nation's 250 total game studios.
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- 01Helsinki serves as the primary hub for the Finnish game industry, hosting over 100 of the nation's 250 total game studios.See it on page 1
- 02The 2019–2020 action plan aims to transition the regional ecosystem from a phase of hyper-growth to a more sustainable, mature competitive model.See it on page 2
- 03The strategy addresses industry-wide talent shortages by leveraging public-private partnerships to attract global professionals and their families to the region.See it on page 5
- 04To support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the city plans to establish a dedicated administrative body to streamline access to public support and funding.See it on page 4
- 05The plan creates a structured pipeline for new talent by implementing incubator pilots and intergenerational mentoring systems to bridge the gap between education and professional employment.See it on page 7
- 06The strategic framework was developed through a 2018 assessment involving the City of Helsinki, Neogames Finland, and Metropolia University of Applied Sciences.See it on page 5
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Summary
The Action Plan to Strengthen the Game Industry in Helsinki serves as a strategic framework to foster a sustainable and competitive gaming ecosystem within the Helsinki-Uusimaa region. Developed in 2019 by the City of Helsinki, Neogames Finland, and Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, the plan addresses the industry’s transition from a period of hyper-growth to a more mature, competitive phase. The primary objective is to mitigate challenges related to talent shortages, international market competition, and the need for improved access to public support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The plan identifies three core action areas. First, it seeks to improve the accessibility of public support measures by mapping existing gaps and establishing a dedicated administrative body to streamline information for developers. Second, it focuses on talent attraction and integration through public-private partnerships, aiming to make Helsinki a more appealing destination for global professionals and their families. Finally, the plan prioritizes the development of a clear pathway for amateur and student talent into the professional sector, utilizing incubator pilots and intergenerational mentoring systems to facilitate knowledge transfer and entrepreneurship.
Methodologically, the plan is grounded in innovation dialogues, SWOT and TOWS analyses, and a joint cluster assessment conducted throughout 2018. These findings highlight that while Helsinki remains the engine of the Finnish game industry—hosting over 100 of the nation’s 250 studios—the ecosystem requires targeted interventions to ensure long-term renewal. The implementation timeline spans from 2019 through 2020, involving close collaboration between municipal authorities, educational institutions, and industry stakeholders to institutionalize support mechanisms and ensure the continued viability of the local gaming sector.
