2025
Tyni, Heikki; Sotamaa, Olli; Myöhänen, Taina
Emotions in Game Data Work Journal Article
In: Games and Culture, 2025, ISSN: 1555-4120 .
Abstract | Links | Tags: Data, Data-driven development, Emotions, Game industry
@article{nokey,
title = {Emotions in Game Data Work},
author = {Heikki Tyni and Olli Sotamaa and Taina Myöhänen},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1177/15554120251349872},
doi = {10.1177/15554120251349872},
issn = {1555-4120 },
year = {2025},
date = {2025-06-16},
journal = {Games and Culture},
abstract = {This study explores the emotional dimensions of data work within the game industry. Through interviews with Finnish game industry professionals, the research reveals that data-driven work practices evoke a wide range of emotions, ranging from pleasure and satisfaction to insecurity and frustration. Data can act both as a helpful workmate and as a source of professional conflict and frustration, impacting the worker's sense of professionalism. Data-driven work also compels workers to individually confront ethical questions. Our findings highlight the interplay between creative work processes and data analytics, emphasizing the emotional labor that game industry professionals need to handle in a data-driven work culture. Additionally, the research addresses ethical considerations and the emotional work required to reconcile public perceptions of data usage. The study contributes to the broader understanding of emotional work in new data-intensive professions and advocates for more emotionally sustainable practices in data-driven game development.},
keywords = {Data, Data-driven development, Emotions, Game industry},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
This study explores the emotional dimensions of data work within the game industry. Through interviews with Finnish game industry professionals, the research reveals that data-driven work practices evoke a wide range of emotions, ranging from pleasure and satisfaction to insecurity and frustration. Data can act both as a helpful workmate and as a source of professional conflict and frustration, impacting the worker's sense of professionalism. Data-driven work also compels workers to individually confront ethical questions. Our findings highlight the interplay between creative work processes and data analytics, emphasizing the emotional labor that game industry professionals need to handle in a data-driven work culture. Additionally, the research addresses ethical considerations and the emotional work required to reconcile public perceptions of data usage. The study contributes to the broader understanding of emotional work in new data-intensive professions and advocates for more emotionally sustainable practices in data-driven game development.
2023
Sotamaa, Olli; Tyni, Heikki; Myöhänen, Taina
In: European Journal of Cultural Studies, 2023, ISSN: 1367-5494.
Abstract | Links | Tags: Data analytics, Data work, Data-driven development, Datafication, Game industry, Game production
@article{Sotamaa2023,
title = {‘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},
author = {Olli Sotamaa and Heikki Tyni and Taina Myöhänen},
url = {https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/13675494231168568
https://trepo.tuni.fi/handle/10024/149415},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1177/13675494231168568},
issn = {1367-5494},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-05-13},
urldate = {2023-05-13},
journal = {European Journal of Cultural Studies},
abstract = {The digital game industry has actively integrated data-driven methods into its core processes. This interview-based study shows how game industry professionals perceive the role of data as part of their everyday work. Analysing the data-related notions and negotiations helps to explicate how mainstream data imaginaries are both reproduced and challenged in the different phases and contexts of game making. The analysis is divided into the following themes: data is everywhere, data is messy, data is constructed and data redefines creativity. The qualitative inquiry shows how the meaning of game data cannot be reduced to individual metrics or analytics services, or new positions like data analysts. Data-driven development is based on particular values and assumptions, and it creates new practices, working cultures and conflicting forms of agency.},
keywords = {Data analytics, Data work, Data-driven development, Datafication, Game industry, Game production},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The digital game industry has actively integrated data-driven methods into its core processes. This interview-based study shows how game industry professionals perceive the role of data as part of their everyday work. Analysing the data-related notions and negotiations helps to explicate how mainstream data imaginaries are both reproduced and challenged in the different phases and contexts of game making. The analysis is divided into the following themes: data is everywhere, data is messy, data is constructed and data redefines creativity. The qualitative inquiry shows how the meaning of game data cannot be reduced to individual metrics or analytics services, or new positions like data analysts. Data-driven development is based on particular values and assumptions, and it creates new practices, working cultures and conflicting forms of agency.