The doctoral dissertation of M.A. Elina Koskinen in the field of game studies titled Memorable Player Experiences with Pokémon GO will be publicly examined in Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences at Tampere University at 12 on Friday 31.1.2025 in auditorium B1096, building Pinni B of Tampere University (Kanslerinrinne 1). The Opponent will be Professor Adriana de Souza e Silva from the Northeastern University (Boston, United States). The Custos will be University Lecturer Kati Alha from the Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences at Tampere University.
In her dissertation, Koskinen examines memorable player experiences with location-based games through the case of Pokémon GO. The dissertation is based on Finnish qualitative survey data consisting of 2 400 participants. The survey focused on the Pokémon GO players’ experiences in 2016 when the game’s popularity was at its peak and the experiences were fresh in players’ minds.
“The social atmosphere and communality created by Pokémon GO in the game’s early days was a unique phenomenon, the virality of which is hard to repeat”, says Koskinen.
The permanent address of the publication is
https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-03-3763-6
The public defense can be followed remotely.
Link to live stream will be visible here on 31.1.2025 at 12.