This newsletter shares the good news of the Finnish game industry once a month. The content is intended to be an interesting news roundup both for separate newsletter subscribers and for media representatives interested in games.
February 2026 was a busy month for the Finnish games industry. There was a wealth of new releases, early access titles, and major updates, spanning everything from indie games to big names such as Remedy, Rovio, and Supercell. At the same time, the industry saw significant structural news, as Peliosuuskunta Expa became Epic Games’ sole Unreal licensing partner in Finland. AI took a prominent role with Bitmagic generating new versions of classic games from gaming history, while Supercell’s Ilkka Paananen emphasized that the best works in the games industry are still yet to come. Metacore’s Mika Tammenkoski summarized the events of 2025 and anticipated the development trends for 2026.
1. New Game Releases and Updates in February 2026
Hologram Monster has released an early access version of its co-op horror game Ritual Party on Steam. The game delivers horror and chaos for 1–4 players, steeped in a Cthulhu-inspired atmosphere.
FRACTiLE Games has launched its goal-oriented shooter Phobos Down on the Google Play Store. The fast-paced action experience has made the leap from PC to Android smartphones.
Null Vector Studios’ turn-based 4X strategy game Astro Protocol is available now on Steam. The game’s roughly one-hour matches focus on conquering space through exploration, construction, and warfare.
Channel37 is offering free additional content for its acclaimed survival game The Last Caretaker. Ocean: The Final Frontier expands the sci-fi adventure with maritime themes. The game is available in Early Access on Steam and the Epic Games Store.
The role-playing game Oceanhorn 3: Legend of the Shadow Sea will be released on March 5 on Apple Arcade. The epic open-world adventure is set a thousand years after the events of Oceanhorn 2.
Remedy recently showcased content from its upcoming action game CONTROL Resonant at a PlayStation State of Play event. The game promises a twisted version of Manhattan filled with missions, hidden items, and thrilling combat.
Part Time Monkey has released its hybrid game WARARENA on the Steam platform, combining elements of real-time strategy, card-based battles, and tactical arena combat.
Rovio’s popular puzzle game Angry Birds Friends has expanded with the Piggy-Matic game mode, which offers endless gameplay. Players are rewarded for their successes with in-game rewards.
Pepperbox Studios is celebrating the success of its roguelike-style card game Dice of Kalma. The game has already been downloaded more than 100,000 times on the App Store. The celebrations are boosted by the newly released Pick Your Poison update.
Bonus Stage’s disc golf simulation Disc Golf Masters has received additional content for its playable demo. The game is available on PC and consoles.
The gladiator game Gladio Mori has received a revamped visual look, more equipment, and a large number of fixes in its latest update. The game, currently in development, is available on Steam.
Home Sheep Home: Farmageddon Party Edition by Black Smoke Studios has expanded as a Steam multiplayer game. This allows players to enjoy solving puzzles cooperatively online with others.
Skyward Entertainment has released a comprehensive showcase video for its upcoming action RPG Second Stone. The action-driven game combines a compelling story, intense combat, village building, and roguelike-style survival elements.
Fingersoft has published a half-hour documentary film The Story of Hill Climb Racing – 13 Years of Neckflips. The original Fingersoft team tells how Hill Climb Racing became one of the world’s biggest mobile games.
Dirga Games has confirmed that it will release its dungeon-crawling adventure THYSIASTERY on Steam on March 9. The game blends elements of traditional roguelikes with turn-based gameplay.
Minuscule Mayhem has released the narrative-driven adventure game Nightsoil on Steam. Players take on the role of an elderly night soil collector roaming the streets of London in 1854.
2. Expa Game Business Cooperative is Epic Games’ only Unreal licensing partner in Finland
Expa Game Business Cooperative is currently the only Finnish Unreal licensing partner for Epic Games’ game engine and its professional license add-on features. At the same time, Expa is Finland’s first and globally the northernmost official Unreal training partner, operating as an Unreal Authorized Training Center (UATC). Expa is offering the licenses also for international clients. While Unreal Engine itself is free to use, holders of the professional license gain access to significant benefits. These include more advanced features, better support, and practical scalability, all of which are essential for professional users.
3. Bitmagic uses AI to generate new versions of classic games
With its Creator software, Bitmagic has recreated the original Civilization using the generative capabilities of AI. The game retains the same overall style, although its visual presentation is retro-inspired, minimalist, and simplified. Using its tools, Bitmagic has also produced new versions of other games such as Diablo, Grand Theft Auto 2, and Vampire Survivors. The company’s goal is to turn players’ ideas into playable 3D games. The player defines the game world, its rules, and objectives, while Bitmagic’s tools take care of everything else.
4. According to Supercell, the best video games are still yet to be made and they’re on the way
Supercell is known for its open mindset and reflections that extend beyond its own core expertise. In a recent piece, Supercell CEO Ilkka Paananen opens his conceptual toolbox by looking back at 2025, examining both the successes and failures of the past year and what can be learned from them. The writing discusses, among other things, a cancelled game, the growth of a successful title, and upcoming projects that could very well turn out to be some of the best games of the future. At the same time, Paananen shares insights into Supercell’s figures and overall performance.
5. Metacore sums up the events of 2025 and explains how they impact 2026
Metacore CEO Mika Tammenkoski shared his reflections in 2025 and how they shape the year ahead. He outlines how the mobile games industry experienced its first significant downturn in 2022–2024, with 2025 becoming a period of adjustment. Game companies were forced to confront structural changes and intensifying competition. According to Tammenkoski, in 2026 the industry is moving toward a more mature phase, with a stronger focus on long-term brand and IP development, data-driven design processes, and a tighter integration of game, advertising, and marketing development. In addition, alternative distribution channels are reducing app store exclusivity and may change how games are priced and released.