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
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., 2025, In: ACM Games: Research and Practice. 3, 2, p. 1-14 11.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Understanding game data work
Tyni, H., Sotamaa, O. & Myöhänen, T., 21 Jan 2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Big Data and Society. 12, 1Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
'Even if the algorithm is a terrible workmate, you just need to learn to live with it’: Perceptions of data analytics among game industry professionals
Sotamaa, O., Tyni, H. & Myöhänen, T., 2024, In: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CULTURAL STUDIES. 27, 4, p. 558-576 19 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Artifact
Sotamaa, O., 2023, Routledge Companion to Video Game Studies. Wolf, M. J. P. & Perron, B. (eds.). 2nd ed. New York: Routledge, p. 3-9 7 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Scientific › peer-review
Engagement and emotions in game data work
Myöhänen, T., Sotamaa, O. & Tyni, H., 23 Mar 2023.Research output: Other conference contribution › Abstract › Scientific
Johdanto
Translated title of the contribution :Introduction Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific
Pelitutkimuksen vuosikirja 2023
Arjoranta, J. (Editor), Friman, U. (Editor), Koskimaa, R. (Editor), Mäyrä, F. (Editor), Sotamaa, O. (Editor), Suominen, J. (Editor) & Välisalo, T. (Editor), 8 Dec 2023, In: Pelitutkimuksen vuosikirja. p. 156Research output: Contribution to journal › Special issue › Scientific › peer-review
Suomalaisissa yliopistoissa julkaistut peliaiheiset väitöskirjat
Sotamaa, O., 2023, In: Pelitutkimuksen vuosikirja. 15, p. 100-113 14 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific
Johdanto
Translated title of the contribution :Introduction Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific