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.
August brought an exceptionally diverse range of new releases, updates and upcoming titles from Finland’s game industry, from LEGO Skylines to distinctive indie games. MiTale is taking Finnish game technology into new territory by exploring the use of quantum computing in commercial game development, while Next Games is expanding Netflix’s game catalogue with two new releases. PixLauncher is setting out to make classic Finnish games more accessible to new audiences. One of the month’s most significant business developments was Supercell’s decision to acquire full ownership of Metacore, the studio behind Merge Mansion.
1. New game releases and updates in August 2026
Paradox Interactive has announced that Iceflake Studios is developing LEGO Skylines, a building game that combines beloved LEGO bricks with the city planning of the Finnish Skylines series. The game will be released on consoles and PC later.
Joni “Arkkis” Nieminen, also known for his work as a games journalist, has single-handedly developed and released the indie game CQ: Calling Any Station. This distinctive game has players searching for contact in the void of space using modest equipment. Progress happens both passively in the background and through active play. The game is available on Steam.
The Hive by Skydome Entertainment blends strategy with RPG elements. It has received a new content update and an additional language option, making it accessible to an even wider international audience. The game is available on Steam.
The classic Finnish Areena series has a new instalment. Runerock Arena has launched on Steam for PC. The game combines management, RPG-style progression and tactical strategy.
Murska Digital has begun developing its debut game. She Hunts is an action-adventure game built around storytelling and exploration. It is scheduled for release on Steam in 2027.
Parta Games has released its action-adventure game Choppa: Rescue Rivals on PC and Nintendo Switch. Featuring cartoon-style rescue missions, the game is packed with action, thrills and dangerous situations that pay homage to retro gaming.
Published by VRKiwi, Detective VR offers an unusual take on private detective work for the PlayStation VR2 headset. The investigation game aims for controller-free play, focusing on atmosphere and the feeling of being present in its world. It will launch on 9 September 2026 on the PlayStation Store and Steam.
GameLoom Studio has released the multiplayer minigame Protostellar: Impact on the GamingCouch.com multiplayer platform. Players control a small asteroid with an enormous appetite, trying to survive among other asteroids and be the last one standing. The game is free to play.
Developed and published by Games Done Right, Pinbomb is a distinctive blend of pinball and roguelike mechanics. Players restore a pinball machine piece by piece with each run, advancing the story as they go. The game is planned for release on Steam in 2027.
Lohkare Games has released its anticipated game Last Drop in Early Access on Steam. Set in 1990s Finland, the game has been described as a blend of Aki Kaurismäki and Quentin Tarantino films in a uniquely absurd open-world experience.
Leikkaus is a browser-based horror game in which players visit a university to collect their student financial aid. To the student protagonist’s horror, financial aid is not the only thing facing cuts and a bloodthirsty chase begins. A demo is now available on itch.io.
Vaaran Game Studio’s debut game, Reactor 13, is a chaotic co-op game for up to four players. Players collect and refine dark matter to fuel a reactor and power an entire planet, all while risking a meltdown. The game is planned for release on Steam in 2027.
Bonus Stage Publishing is expanding its Finnish indie game lineup with the release of the physics-based gladiator combat game Gladio Mori on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on 16 September.
Published by Bonus Stage Publishing, the Arctic co-op survival game Arctic Drive has opened its public Steam playtest. The playtest introduces a new guided scenario, additional language options, and improvements to driving and the damage system.
Channel37 has released the seventh update for The Last Caretaker, currently in Early Access on Steam and the Epic Games Store. The update adds new missions, memories, storage systems and areas, alongside extensive optimizations and fixes based on player feedback.
Add Inspiration has announced Regret & Rewind, a job simulator set in 1989 at a small yellow photo kiosk in an American suburb. In this retro first-person game, players serve customers looking for tapes, family photos, dubious passport pictures and memories they might be better off leaving behind. The game is coming soon to Steam Early Access.
Housemarque has announced the next major free content update for its action game SAROS. Launching later this year, SAROS: Zenith will introduce new replayable game modes and additional accessibility options for visuals and controls.
2. MiTale brings quantum computing into commercial game development
MiTale is exploring how quantum computing could become part of commercial game development in its upcoming post-apocalyptic RPG, C.L.A.Y. – The Last Redemption. Quantum circuit simulations are being used to influence narrative dynamics and help generate environments and selected visual effects. MiTale’s work builds on quantum gaming research that began in 2019 and includes tools designed to make quantum technologies more accessible to game developers. The studio showcased C.L.A.Y. at Gamescom and provided further background on the project in their press release. MiTale is also one of the organizers of Quantum Game Jam, an event taking place on September 26–27 that brings together game developers and quantum physicists from around the world.
3. Two new games from Netflix-owned Next Games
Netflix Minigolf is one of the latest releases from Next Games, bringing the fun of minigolf to the worlds of Netflix’s original shows. Players can enjoy the monster-filled thrills of Stranger Things, the games of Squid Game and the beautiful scenery of Bridgerton, bringing beloved TV series together in a fun, relaxing gaming experience. Netflix Star Daily Trivia, a quiz game developed in collaboration with Tech Lab Games, was also recently announced. There is plenty more to come, as studio head Saara Bergström hints in this interview.
4. PixLauncher aims to make Finnish gaming classics easier to play
PixLauncher is a Windows application designed to make classic Finnish games easier to find, install and play. It brings games together in one place, allowing users to browse the collection and choose titles to install and enjoy. PixLauncher caters to both longtime gaming enthusiasts and newcomers, with no specialist computer skills required. The application also provides game information and user reviews. More classics are regularly added to its library.
5. Merge Mansion joins Supercell
Supercell is acquiring the remaining shares in Helsinki-based Metacore, bringing the studio’s hit title Merge Mansion into its portfolio of live games. The deal is expected to close by the end of September, and its financial terms will not be disclosed. Released in 2020, Merge Mansion has attracted millions of players and helped establish the new merge-2 genre. Supercell believes its expertise in operating global live games and acquiring users can support the game’s long-term growth. Players will see no immediate changes, with the game and its development continuing as usual.