Suomen Pelinkehittäjät ry

The Game Industry of Finland Report: 2022

The Finnish game industry established itself as a premier global hub between 2021 and 2022, maintaining a record annual turnover of €3.2 billion. This performance places Finland among the top five national game industries in Europe. Despite a shift toward the "games-as-a-service" model and macroeconomic headwinds that reduced the frequency of new game launches, the sector experienced a surge in startup activity and employment. By late 2022, the industry supported 232 active studios and approximately 4,100 employees, characterized by a highly international workforce and a stable presence of female professionals. While mobile remains the dominant platform by revenue, there is a significant strategic pivot toward PC and multiplatform development, with 64% of studios now targeting the PC market. This evolution is supported by a sophisticated funding ecosystem that includes over €300 million in private investment and substantial public R&D support from Business Finland. The industry’s maturity is further evidenced by high-profile acquisitions from global giants such as Sony, Netflix, and Playtika, alongside the continued success of established leaders like Supercell, Rovio, and Remedy Entertainment. The ecosystem is anchored in Helsinki, which accounts for the vast majority of turnover and employment, but it also benefits from thriving regional clusters in Tampere, Oulu, and Kajaani. These hubs specialize in diverse technologies ranging from VR and Web3 to simulation and narrative-driven titles. Despite challenges such as rising marketing costs due to privacy changes and a persistent talent shortage, the industry remains resilient through robust institutional support from organizations like Neogames and Suomen Pelinkehittäjät ry. This collaborative infrastructure, combined with a focus on original intellectual property and emerging technologies like Creative AI, ensures Finland’s continued influence on the global gaming landscape.