Olli Sotamaa
About me
I am a professor of Game Culture Studies and lead the Tampere University Game Research Lab with professor Frans Mäyrä. I also serve as team leader in The Centre of Excellence in Game Culture Studies.
Fields of expertise
I've studied various game cultural phenomena related to e.g. online communities, fandom and game modding. I've also critically examined the game industry and different forms and contexts of game production. One example of our recent projects is IDA: Intimacy in Data-Driven Culture project in which we've studied the effects of data-analytics for the everyday gamework. My latest book, edited with Jan Svelch, is titled Game Production Studies (Amsterdam University Press, 2021).
Research fields
Game studies, Media studies, Production studies
Latest publications
Localized Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Challenges and Solutions in Game Culture Environments
Taino, E., Laakso, K., Myöhänen, T., Friman, U. & Sotamaa, O., 16 Jun 2026, Proceedings of DiGRA 2026. Digital Games Research Association (DiGRA), 20 p. (DIGRA).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › Scientific › peer-review
Sidetalking: Domesticating Nokia's playful designed identity
Jungman, H., Apperley, T., Nylund, N. & Sotamaa, O., May 2026, In: Mobile Media and Communication. 14, 2, p. 411-430 20 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
The Institutionalization of the Nokia N-Gage as a National Symbol: From Corporate and Fan Heritage to Public Cultural Heritage
Nylund, N., Apperley, T., Jungman, H. & Sotamaa, O., 2026, Proceedings of DiGRA 2026 Conference. Maynooth, Ireland: Digital Games Research Association (DiGRA), 15 p. (DIGRA).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › Scientific › peer-review
The Many Cultures of Game Production
O’donnell, C. & Sotamaa, O., 2026, Cultural Game Studies: Critical Approaches. Mäyrä, F. & Koskimaa, R. (eds.). Routledge, p. 148-157 10 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Scientific › peer-review
Yliopistoa pelaamassa
Sotamaa, O., 2026, In: Tiedepolitiikka. 51, 1, p. 87-92Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific
Emotions in Game Data Work
Myöhänen, T., Tyni, H. & Sotamaa, O., 2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Games and Culture. 15554120251349872.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Game Rules as Player Tools: Introspective Rulebook Method
Balcı, D., Stenros, J. & Sotamaa, O., Jun 2025, In: Games. 3, 2, p. 1-14 11.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
PEGASUS: Kohti kestävämpää pelikulttuuria
Taino, E., Laakso, K., Myöhänen, T., Friman, U. & Sotamaa, O., Nov 2025, Tampereen yliopisto.Research output: Book/Report › Book › Professional
PEGASUS: Toward Sustainable Game Culture
Taino, E., Laakso, K., Myöhänen, T., Friman, U. & Sotamaa, O., Nov 2025, Tampere University.Research output: Book/Report › Book › Professional
Understanding game data work
Tyni, H., Sotamaa, O. & Myöhänen, T., 2025, In: Big Data and Society. 12, 1Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review