Tale Smiths Launches in Kainuu with Storytelling Workshop and Public Showcase

The Regional Council of Kainuu hosted a local launch event for Tale Smiths, the new immersive storytelling game developed under the N-LITE project, bringing together local stakeholders, creative professionals, and members of the public to explore how regional stories can be transformed into digital experiences.

The day began with a storification workshop led by storytelling expert Anne Kalliomäki, organised by the Regional Council of Kainuu. Participants from local businesses and organisations were guided to create their own “storified” products that could enhance their activities and strengthen the vitality of the region. Tale Smiths was presented as a key example of how game development and immersive technologies can be used to bring local stories to life.

Following the workshop, attendees joined the public launch event at the Kainuu Music Institute. Minna Komulainen from the Regional Council of Kainuu opened the event with an introduction to the N-LITE project and its goals. The game’s team leader, Kyösti Koskela from Kajaani University of Applied Sciences, then demonstrated Tale Smiths and shared insights from the development process.

He introduced Teija Mursula, also from Kajaani University of Applied Sciences, who contributed to the project as both voice actor and facial animation performer for the game’s narrator. Mursula spoke about her experience bringing the story’s emotional depth to life through performance.

After the presentation, attendees were invited to test the game and ask questions about its creation.

The Finnish story featured in Tale Smiths is drawn from the Kalevala, Finland’s national epic compiled by Elias Lönnrot from traditional Finnish and Karelian folklore. In this retelling, players join the legendary heroes Väinämöinen, Ilmarinen, and Lemminkäinen on their quest to steal the magical Sampo from the land of Pohjola — a mythic artefact said to bring endless prosperity.

Tale Smiths will remain available for the public to experience at the Kainuu Music Institute throughout October before travelling to other locations across the Kainuu region.