Estonian Folklore Transformed into 15 Video Game Prototypes at Tallinn Hackathon

Estonian Folklore Takes Center Stage in Gaming Innovation

Tallinn recently hosted the 'Game Jam: Estonian Folklore Edition,' a dynamic 48-hour hackathon where approximately 80 participants, including developers and folklorists, collaborated to transform Estonian myths and fairytales into 15 playable video game prototypes. The event, organized by the Tallinn Business Incubator, took place from October 3-5 at the Tallinn Creative Hub (Kultuurikatel), aiming to harness the country's rich cultural heritage for the global gaming industry.

A Deep Dive into National Narratives

The hackathon's central theme was Estonian folklore, encompassing a wide array of myths, legends, characters, folk songs, and fairytales. Participants drew inspiration from various elements of national heritage, including:

• Kratts: Mythological creatures made from inanimate objects brought to life.
• Kalevipoeg: The hero of Estonia's national epic.
• Revenants and water spirits.
• The Northern Frog and the Old Man of Lake Ülemiste.
• Various local interpretations of the devil.

Game creator Ott Madis Ozolit emphasized the untapped potential, stating, 'I'd love to see more Estonian folklore in the global gaming industry.' He noted that while many gaming narratives recycle Greek, Norse, Mayan, Aztec, and Egyptian myths, the stories of Finno-Ugric peoples are largely absent. Ozolit added, 'We've reached a point where players are tired of the same old stories. We have so many new experiences to offer them.'

Innovative Prototypes Emerge from Intense Collaboration

The intensive 48-hour period culminated in the creation of 15 distinct game prototypes. The winning entry, titled 'The Letter,' featured a kratt as its main character, tasked with delivering letters. Another notable prototype, securing third place, was 'Ülemiste Showdown,' a fighting game. Programmer Jako Keskküla described its concept: 'Basically, we took the Old Man of Lake Ülemiste and the Northern Frog and had them face off on top of Toompea Hill.' Creator Gregor Ojaveer characterized 'Ülemiste Showdown' as visually retro and designed for two players, highlighting the need for 'some kind of slightly addictive factor.'

Boosting Estonia's Creative Economy

Nele Plutus, program manager at the Tallinn Business Incubator, described the hackathon as a 'sprint' designed to rapidly develop initial game ideas and foster connections among developers, creatives, and industry professionals. She articulated the broader economic vision, stating, 'This helps Estonia grow more advanced game companies and studios that in the long term could also become valuable exports for our economy.' The video game sector is recognized as a vital part of Estonia's creative industries and receives support from the Estonian Business and Innovation Agency (EIS). According to Kadi Haljand, creative industries manager at EIS, the country's gaming field currently comprises approximately 80 companies and employs around 1,000 individuals.