Understanding Game Work Migration: Game Expats in Finland

This dissertation explores the experiences and creative work practices of migrant game developers ("game expats") in Finland, focusing on the factors that motivate them to move to or leave the country, as well as the cultural adaptations they encounter in their work practices. Additionally, the study includes methodological and pedagogical explorations aimed at enhancing multinational game development work. There has been a significant growth in the number of game expats in recent years. In Finland, game expats now occupy nearly one-third of the nation's entire game industry workforce. However, academic inquiries into game expats' work, life, and migration experiences have been overlooked. As of writing, this dissertation is the first scholarly attempt to study the microscopic landscape of game work migration, by asking: (i) What are the factors that affect game expats' migration and settlement intention?, (ii) How do those factors affect the game expats' practices of game development?, (iii) How could one improve the multicultural practices of game development?My research methodology focused on capturing the experiences of game expats, using qualitative longitudinal research combined with arts-based research methods while engaging with the participants for four years. Semi-structured interviews collected from the participants were analysed using thematic analysis and grounded theory, supplemented by inductive visual abstractions and research popularisation through comic art making (a web-comic series titled "Game Expats Story"). My research offers three key contributions. First, it highlights the multifaceted nature of game development and its influence on game work migration, including globally shared technical skills that motivate game expats to relocate, locally distinctive practices that encourage settlement, and the role of the occupational community in bridging global and local boundaries. Second, it exposes the worrying talent import tactic of "cultural fit" normalised in the Finnish game industry, and the precarious nature of the game industry that pressures game expats to achieve immediate productivity at work promptly upon relocation. By profiling expats based on "cultural fit", the industry forces rapid assimilation, hindering game expats' natural integration and requiring them to abandon their established development practices to quickly demonstrate adaptability in Finland. Third, to address these challenges, the dissertation introduces a pedagogical exploration designed to enhance the cultural competencies of future game developers and calls for industry-wide collaboration to rethink talent import strategies. Further interdisciplinary research is essential to deepen the scientific understanding of game development practices globally, fostering a game industry that is culturally diverse, inclusive, and equitable.