Fingersoft CEO Jaakko Kylmäoja on how "the best game required the best environment"

• Fingersoft CEO Jaakko Kylmäoja spoke at Pocket Gamer Connects Helsinki 2023 about attracting and retaining the best employees
• The studio's headcount increased from around 50 to 100 during the pandemic

Helsinki has long been at the forefront of the global games industry, with a particularly fine heritage in mobile. That's why we've been visiting every year since 2014 for our annual Pocket Gamer Connects Helsinki two-day conference.

And this year we're proud to be part of Finish Games Week, a week of events celebrating gaming activity within the region with PGC Helsinki 2024 taking place on October 1st to 2nd.

And in preparation for our 2024 event, we're taking a look back at just some of the amazing speakers and sessions that took place at PGC Helsinki 2023. 

So for more opportunities to network and learn from the big names in games make sure that you're a part of PC Connects Helsinki 2024.

Hill Climb Racing creator Fingersoft attributes its successful games to its employees above all, as the company has searched for the best possible people over the years to make "the best games".

The studio more than doubled its headcount during the pandemic, from around 50 to 110, navigating relocation support for international workers and developing values that align with everyone.

The secret to forming a strong, respectful team, was revealed by CEO Jaakko Kylmäoja during his talk at Pocket Gamer Connects Helsinki 2023.

In said talk, Kylmäoja proposed that attracting those people is only possible in the right environment.

The best of the best

Hill Climb Racing is the most downloaded racing game in the world at over two billion installs, having launched Fingersoft to global success and spawning a sequel and spinoff - and even a deal with Lego to create Lego Hill Climb Adventures.

"To have a product that is the best in something, we believe you have to have the best possible people. And in order to have the best possible people, we believe that we should provide the best possible work environment for that," Kylmäoja said.

"This means that you need to have the proper infrastructure to make the game successful, and also a caring environment focused on wellbeing."

That caring environment focused on meaningfulness, inclusivity, a supportive culture, and a work-life balance, comprises one of Fingersoft’s core values - values created by the employees themselves.

Kylmäoja’s full talk delves deep into nurturing the perfect space for employees and attracting the best of the best to one company over another.

Find out more about our next event - Pocket Gamer Connects Helsinki 2024 - and how to register your interest, get tickets and take part, here.