Olli Sotamaa

Professor, pelikulttuurien tutkimus

Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences | Communication Sciences

Tampere University

olli.sotamaa [at] tuni.fi (olli[dot]sotamaa[at]tuni[dot]fi)

+358504201472

City Centre Campus

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2169-8685

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).

Project links

Centre of Excellence in Game Culture Studies

IDA: Intimacy in Data-driven Culture

Research fields

Game studies, Media studies, Production studies

Latest publications

'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
Johdanto
Translated title of the contribution: IntroductionArjoranta, J., Friman, U., Koskimaa, R., Mäyrä, F., Sotamaa, O., Suominen, J. & Välisalo, T., 8 Dec 2023, In: Pelitutkimuksen vuosikirja. 2023, p. 1-3 3 p.
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. 156
Research 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: IntroductionArjoranta, J., Friman, U., Koskimaa, R., Mäyrä, F., Sotamaa, O., Suominen, J. & Välisalo, T., 18 Dec 2022, In: Pelitutkimuksen vuosikirja. p. 1-4 4 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific
Modding
Sotamaa, O., 20 May 2022, Encyclopedia of Ludic Terms. Grabarczyk, P. (ed.). the ERC-Advanced-Grant project MSG - Making Sense of Games
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Entry for encyclopedia/dictionary › Professional
Pelintekemisen kulttuurit
Sotamaa, O., 2022, Pelit kulttuurina. Friman, U., Arjoranta, J., Kinnunen, J., Heljakka, K. & Stenros, J. (eds.). Vastapaino, p. 89-108
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Scientific › peer-review
Pelitutkimuksen vuosikirja 2022
Translated title of the contribution: Game Studies Yearbook 2022Arjoranta, J. (Editor), Friman, U. (Editor), Koskimaa, R. (Editor), Mäyrä, F. (Editor), Sotamaa, O. (Editor), Suominen, J. (Editor), Välisalo, T. (Editor) & Saarikoski, P. (Editor), 18 Dec 2022, In: Pelitutkimuksen vuosikirja.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Special issue › Scientific › peer-review
Artful play: Yrjö Hirn’s aesthetic approach to children’s play
Sotamaa, O. & Stenros, J., 2021, In: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PLAY. 10, 2
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review

All publications