The Tampere city region in Finland has taken a significant step in advancing its creative industries by appointing its first head of games. Arto Käyhko, a veteran in mobile games and digital services, will spearhead efforts to promote the region’s burgeoning gaming industry on an international scale. This appointment is part of Film Tampere’s broader strategy to integrate film, gaming, and digital content creation industries.
Role of Arto Käyhko
Arto Käyhko brings a wealth of experience to his new role, combining expertise in games, digital services, international business, and finance. His responsibilities include:
- Promoting Tampere’s gaming industry globally.
- Building relationships within Finland’s gaming community and other digital content creation sectors.
- Fostering collaborations between creative industries.
Film Tampere lead Fanny Heinonen praised Käyhko’s appointment, highlighting his skills in relationship-building and his ability to unite shareholders and creatives.
“With Arto’s help, we’re a giant step nearer to fulfilling our mission of transforming Tampere into a world-class creative hub,” Heinonen stated.
Alma: The Region’s First Film/Games Collaboration
One of the region’s flagship projects under this initiative is Alma, a cinematic action game developed by Dreamloop Games and Making Movies. This project adapts an upcoming film of the same name, set in Finland during the Second World War. The story follows a teenage girl who gains superpowers to save her father from the front lines, only to face the consequences of her powers 80 years later.
Key Features of Alma:
- A fusion of film and gaming mediums.
- A narrative set against the backdrop of wartime Finland.
- A collaboration showcasing the potential of Tampere’s creative industries.
Vision for Tampere as a Creative Hub
The appointment of Käyhko reflects Tampere’s ambition to position itself as a leading creative hub. By integrating gaming with film and digital content creation, the city aims to:
- Attract international attention and investment.
- Build robust partnerships between creative sectors.
- Foster innovation and collaboration within Finland’s content creation industries.
Key Points
- Appointment: Arto Käyhko becomes Tampere’s first head of games.
- Responsibilities: Promoting the gaming industry, fostering collaborations, and building relationships within the creative community.
- Flagship Project: Alma, a cinematic action game adapting a World War II-era film.
- Vision: Establish Tampere as a world-class creative hub through integration of gaming, film, and digital content creation industries.