Public defence in New Media, MA, MET Solip Park

The title of the thesis: Understanding Game Work Migration: Game Expats in Finland

Doctoral student: Solip Park
Opponent: Professor Aphra Kerr, University College Dublin, Ireland
Custos: Professor Perttu Hämäläinen, Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture, Department of Art and Media

Video games are one of the most influential media of our time, and the industry is more diverse than ever. According to Neogames Finland, approximately 30% of game professionals in Finland have migrant backgrounds, reflecting a global trend of game work migration. Yet, the stories of these creators remain largely untold. Who are they, what drives them to relocate, and how does migration influence the games they create? 

Solip Park’s doctoral thesis, “Understanding Game Work Migration”, from Aalto University, seeks to answer these questions. Her research, conducted over four years, involved longitudinal interviews with migrant game developers (referred to as “game expats”) in Finland. 

Park’s research sheds light on the experiences of game expats—migrant game developers—working in Finland. Many senior experts arrive in Finland with unique design visions and deep expertise. Many of these professionals have relocated multiple times in a fast-changing, precarious global job market and may continue to do so. This is because they are fluent in globally shared technical skills, such as programming languages and graphic tools. Finland’s distinctive work culture—valuing transparency and a flat organisational structure—encourages some game expats to settle more permanently, allowing the country to retain their talents. 

However, game expats often face challenges with Finnish companies’ emphasis on “cultural fit” or “cultural add”, which can require employees to conform to specific workplace norms. For expats, the term “culture” can be confusing. Because it might refer to Finnish culture, company culture, team dynamics, or specific development practices. The expectation for cultural alignment places pressure on newcomers to quickly adapt to existing norms, limiting diversity and fresh perspectives, particularly for junior talent and gender minorities. Park proposes a new educational framework to encourage the cultural competencies of future game developers and reduce such homogeneous attitudes, supporting better communication skills and a more inclusive, adaptable game industry for the future. 

As part of her research, Park has also created a webcomic to help non-academics better understand the lives of migrants in the Finnish game industry. Her webcomic can be found on Instagram.

Keywords: Digital Games, Game Development Culture, Immigration, Creative Practices

Thesis available for public display 10 days prior to the defence at: https://aaltodoc.aalto.fi/doc_public/eonly/riiputus/

Doctoral theses in the School of Arts, Design and Architecture: https://aaltodoc.aalto.fi/handle/123456789/54

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