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.
April was active and eventful in many ways from the perspective of the Finnish games industry. As usual, games received updates or expansions, while new titles were also released and launched on new platforms. The releases of Road to Vostok and Saros gained international attention in mainstream media. The Finnish Game Awards 2026 will bring the industry together to celebrate in May. Nitro Games is expanding into iGames through a partnership with Ethereal Gaming. CapMan Growth is investing in CSE Simulation, which combines gaming with physical activity. The indie scene also remains strong, as Dappal Interactive won the Bit1 competition with its unique tennis game.
1. New Game Releases and Updates in April 2026
Disc Golf Masters by Bonus Stage has added four-player multiplayer in its latest update, allowing players to experience virtual disc golf together with friends. A demo version of the game is available for PC via Steam.
Bonus Stage has signed a publishing deal for the survival game Arctic Drive. In the game, players must endure a challenging journey across arctic landscapes where the environment itself is the greatest threat. The game supports online multiplayer for up to four players.
MiTale released the Frostreign expansion for its dark fantasy RPG Willow Guard. The story-driven, action-packed adventure combines animal characters with card game mechanics. The game is available for PC on Steam.
Antti Leinonen’s passion project Road to Vostok, which evolved into a full survival game, has launched in Early Access on Steam and has already sold over 250,000 copies in less than a month. The game blends suspense, action, and mystery in landscapes familiar from the Nordic region.
The hunting simulation Virtual Hunter, developed by Korpi Games and published by VRkiwi, is emerging as a VR hit, particularly on the PlayStation VR2 and Meta Quest platforms. Set for release on May 27, the game promises a slow-paced and realistic virtual nature experience, making full use of VR gameplay.
FakeFish showcased an upcoming expansion for the survival game Barotrauma at the Triple-i Initiative. The expansion, scheduled for release next autumn, will introduce buildable outposts, a new faction, cybernetics, and new weapons. It will also feature gameplay for up to 16 players.
Supercell brought its hugely popular Boom Beach strategy game to PC as well, allowing players to enjoy it with a mouse and keyboard. Progress in the game also synchronizes across devices.
Warena, developed by Part Time Monkey and published by Coyote Time Publishing, has been in playtesting throughout April, with tests continuing in May. This two-player real-time strategy card game features fast-paced action and intense combat, while deckbuilding adds a strategic layer. The game is set to launch on Steam in summer 2026.
Part Time Monkey has soft launched the browser-based and social Chills platform, which offers easy-to-play party games along with a space for conversation. The games can be played via a computer or smart device browser with up to ten players.
The fishing adventure Lost Lures, published by Bonus Stage, has now entered early access on Steam. Players can enjoy virtual fishing either solo or in multiplayer, gradually progressing through the Sisu system and unlocking new features.
Redbeak Games has launched the test phase for its game Roguebound Pirates on Steam. The game takes a roguelike-inspired approach to pirate battles, treasure hunting, and adventure, with a light-hearted and humorous tone.
The action-adventure game The Last Caretaker, developed and published by Channel37, is already a diverse and popular experience in early access. The new v3.5 update for the PC game includes bug fixes, new devices and minigames to explore, as well as additional locations to discover.
Coyote Time Publishing has released a Steam demo for its upcoming game EMUUROM, set to launch this summer. In this Metroidvania-style platformer, players progress non-violently by exploring strange creatures and learning from them.
Virtual Dawn Publishing has released a test version of its card game Parabless on Steam. The game focuses on strategic deckbuilding, tactical turn-based gameplay, and a biblical perspective. It features both single-player and multiplayer modes.
Bugbyte confirmed May 13 as the Steam release date for its space simulation Space Haven. In the game, players build their own spaceship piece by piece and explore the universe alongside other travelers.
Skydome Entertainment announced a new expansion for its strategy game The Hive. The new survival mode, released for the PC version on Steam, turns the experience into a roguelite-style challenge with constantly escalating difficulty.
Uncultured Games confirmed that its next release will be FC Mafioso: Football Dynasty Manager, planned for launch later this year. It is a text-based, story-driven football management game that is closely tied to the criminal underworld. The game can already be added to wishlist on Steam.
Minuscule Mayhem released an update for their narrative-driven adventure game Nightsoil. It added Steam achievements, controller support, and localization for 8 new languages.
Black Smoke Studios confirmed that it will release its puzzle game Trackastrophe on Steam on May 28. The train-themed game can already be tested via a Steam demo.
Remedy has released the action game Control Ultimate Edition for iPhone and iPad. The mobile version has been designed for touch controls, and the interface has been adapted for smaller screens without compromising the visual fidelity of the original game.
Housemarque has released its action game Saros for PlayStation 5. The critically acclaimed title blends mystery, stunning visuals, compelling characters, and top-tier action gameplay.
2. The Finnish game industry celebrates its best games in May
The best Finnish games of the last year will be honored at the The Finnish Game Awards 2026, celebrating the Finnish game industry as a whole. This year’s gala will take place at the White Hall venue near Senate Square in Helsinki on May 21, 2026. The awards ceremony will be streamed live on YouTube from 6:00 to 7:30 PM CET.
3. Nitro Games and Ethereal Gaming enter a partnership
Nitro Games has signed a development and distribution agreement with Ethereal Gaming. The agreement covers Nitro Games’ development work on iGames, which Ethereal will distribute in carefully selected markets and service networks. The first games in the project are scheduled to be completed later this year. For Nitro Games, these titles are expected to generate significant revenue in line with their commercial success.
4. CapMan Growth invests in active gaming company CSE Simulation
CapMan Growth has entered into an investment agreement with CSE Simulation, a company developing active gaming experiences. With the new funding, CSE Simulation will be able to expand its growth ambitions and further advance its product development. The company’s core mission is to combine physical activity with video gaming for children and young people. Through its games, it aims to encourage kids to stay active while playing, making exercise a more natural part of everyday wellbeing.
5. Offbeat tennis game wins Bit1 competition
Dappal Interactive won the Bit1 competition with its unique tennis game My Tennis Apocalypse. It is a one-of-a-kind roguelike experience that blends explosive action, dynamic enemies, diverse special abilities, and classic ball game mechanics. The development team will receive their award in May at the The Finnish Game Awards. The game is currently in a testing phase, and access can be requested on Steam. The official release date has not yet been confirmed.