Business Environment for Gaming Expertise in the Border Region
Funded by Euregio Karelia Neighbourhood Programme 2001-2006

Objective of the project

The goal of the project was to develop cooperation between Finland and Russia and to promote gaming business by utilising the expertise of the Department of Information Processing Science of the University of Oulu.

Main activities

• Identification of experts on both sides of the border, • Creation of a strong cross-border expert network with a background in gaming research and business activity in the border region, • Assessing opportunities for cooperation and business activity, and seeking suitable gaming business models, • Studying of the feasibility of the Kalevala theme in game planning.

Achievements

The project was very successful in creating the gaming expert network. Cooperation completed within the project framework combined the so-called older and newer methods of the culture using a new and interesting method. The project was also highly successful in gathering information. The gaming business, game production processes, and game platforms suitable for the regions’ gaming business activities were assessed and outlined within the project framework. A separate report was produced regarding suitable business models for crossborder gaming business activities and their application. A report was also produced regarding classifying the roles and phases of the game production process, with a focus on small productions. In addition, the opportunities for utilizing the Kalevala theme were assessed and a concept plan for the game product was created. A small-scale test on the use of the Kalevala theme was implemented as a joint effort. Permanent gaming business activities were not created during the project, although potential ventures were created. The results of the project have, however, been utilised in later ventures. The gaming business in the St. Petersburg area was seen to be quite business-oriented already, and the industry professionals were not very willing to change the direction away from their main activities, which the participation in the project would have required. The older-culture industry professionals and Kalevala experts in the Petrozavodsk region would have been willing to participate in different types of experiments with newer media; however, they would have needed the support of gaming industry professionals. The preliminary assessments and trials did, however, demonstrate that this type of business activity is possible, and even fruitful, although external funding from outside of the project for the business was not secured during the project. The role of the project was rather to build a foundation for the future utilization of the achieved results. The Kalevala theme has been utilised by the project partners during subsequent cross-border cooperation. From the university’s perspective, the project created a good foundation for future cooperation with Russians in education and gaming industry research. Subcontracting has commenced with companies in the St. Petersburg region, and it is being continued in Finland, particularly with companies based at Joensuu Science Park.