What is Apaja?

APAJA
[ˈɑpɑjɑ]
Apaja is a Finnish word reffering to a good fishing spot, in which you accidentally ended up in.

“It takes a bit of luck to hit the apaja.”

Apaja is a unique game development hub in Northern Finland’s technology capital, Oulu, consisting of 7 buildings. The sharing of information and the utilization of the common facilities are incredibly useful for game development and we encourage participation from all companies. Apaja’s goal is to be the most significant game development ecosystem in the world, by 2020.

Inhabitants of the hub include Fingersoft; one of Finland’s biggest mobile game companies, as well as Oulu Game Lab; an award-winning game entrepreneurship program.

A BLOCK FULL OF GAMES

Apaja is located right in the centre of the city of Oulu, Finland, placing almost everything well within walking distance. The entire city block is dedicated to gaming companies, creative companies and their supporting services.

THE FUSION OF NEW AND OLD

Known previously as the University’s Architectural Department, Apaja received it’s new lease on life as the Game Development Hub of Northern Finland, thanks to a joint project between Fingersoft and Rakennusteho. Rakennusteho, using its expertise in restoring historical buildings, is renovating the block to match the needs of game companies and education centres, in co-operation with the Finnish National Board of Antiquities.

EVERYTHING IN ONE PLACE

Game companies working in Apaja will be given the chance to thrive in an environment that houses all critical functions and services in one place. Publishers, creative services, gaming education and more are united through common events. It is also possible to meet and greet companies from different parts of Finland, who frequently visit Apaja.