Finnish developer Nitro Games has appointed two of its long-standing employees to key executive positions. Antti Ruonala has been promoted from head of operations to chief operating officer (COO), while Milka Tarkiainen has been named chief people officer (CPO). Both have been with the studio for several years, contributing to Nitro Games’ growth and operational development.
Ruonala joined the company in 2014 as a business development assistant and has held multiple operational roles, culminating in his promotion to COO. Tarkiainen started at Nitro Games in 2017 as a marketing coordinator before transitioning into human resources and people operations, eventually overseeing the company’s HR strategy. In a statement, Tarkiainen reflected on her career at Nitro Games, noting that the experience has prepared her for her new responsibilities and allowed her to contribute to building the studio’s internal culture and HR framework.
Funding Secured for New Mobile Shooter
The executive changes come alongside the announcement that Nitro Games has secured €1.6 million in funding to continue developing an unannounced mobile shooter for a European game developer. The project is part of a broader development services agreement, which now brings the total order value to €2 million. The funding will support ongoing development and operational efforts as Nitro Games works to deliver the project.
The studio’s recent activities, including these executive promotions and the funding deal, highlight its focus on expanding development capacity and preparing for new projects in mobile gaming and other digital spaces. Nitro Games has previously explored projects that intersect with emerging technologies, including web3 gaming initiatives, making this investment a continuation of its growth strategy.
Building Leadership from Within
Nitro Games’ promotion of Ruonala and Tarkiainen reflects a broader trend in the gaming industry, where companies often elevate internal talent to executive roles. By selecting employees who have experience across multiple departments, Nitro Games ensures continuity and institutional knowledge while strengthening its leadership team. Both new executives have publicly expressed commitment to guiding the studio through its next phase of development and operational growth.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who are Nitro Games’ new COO and CPO?
Antti Ruonala has been promoted to chief operating officer, and Milka Tarkiainen has been named chief people officer. Both have been with Nitro Games for several years and held key operational roles prior to their promotions.
What is Nitro Games currently working on?
The studio is developing an unannounced mobile shooter for a European game developer. Nitro Games recently secured €1.6 million in funding for this project.
How long have the new executives been with Nitro Games?
Antti Ruonala joined in 2014, while Milka Tarkiainen joined in 2017. Both have progressed through multiple roles within the company.
Has Nitro Games been involved in web3 gaming?
While Nitro Games has explored projects related to web3 in the past, the current announcement focuses on traditional mobile game development.
What is the total value of Nitro Games’ current mobile shooter project?
The total order value for the development services agreement is €2 million, with €1.6 milli
