Virtual Reality Adventures in Finland: The Story of Olio VR
- Tuomo Kekäläinen
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
The Birth of the VR Scene in Finland
As the first company to commercialize virtual reality in Finland, Pikseli was a respected pioneer and trailblazer in Finnish gaming culture. Operating in several cities, it began its activities in January 2017. Pikseli brought a new vision of an arcade hall into the service industry through virtual reality. It was an exciting moment when the game hall, pinball machines, and that unmistakable ’80s mullet were reinvented.
I vividly remember the ’90s, playing Super Mario Bros. or Crash Team Racing with my friends on split-screen. Could Pikseli’s vision of gaming finally be true interaction—an experience accessible to everyone?
With Pikseli, it became possible to jump into other worlds without major investments. Instead of buying expensive VR headsets, you could simply show up and enjoy the experience. You could fly around with a jetpack, dive into the depths of the ocean, or mow down zombies like the Rick Grimes of your own life. The boundaries of virtual reality felt like a dream—one many of us are still experiencing today.
Over the past ten years, there has been significant technological progress. In 2012, the Oculus Rift began its takeover of the consumer market, and virtual reality has since become part of everyday life for nearly everyone in one way or another. It has taken over the entertainment and education sectors, inspiring admiration, frustration, questions, and answers alike.
Virtual reality also offers people with limited mobility the opportunity to explore new places and worlds without restrictions. It allows anyone to experience the wonders of reality—or imagination—firsthand.
OLiO IS BORN, FAREWELL Pikseli
Pikseli’s disappearance from the market was a major disappointment for many. The world of VR had brought its own kind of magic to the grayness of everyday life. Pikseli’s gaming experience was based on a “standalone” style of play, where the player remained in place and controlled their character using thumbsticks and “teleportation” movement.
Technology evolved, became cheaper, and grew lighter. Wireless performance improved, and devices were becoming accessible to ordinary consumers. This sparked curiosity and a vision in me during the winter of 2023–24. I wanted to find out what the industry had to offer. The technology that Pikseli once showcased had been revolutionary in its time, but players were yearning for a freer and more physical experience.
On the international market, free-roam gaming had begun to emerge. This meant playing in an open arena space, moving freely and interacting in real time with other players’ characters. It was a fully immersive experience where your own body and movement became part of the adventure.
I set out to investigate the subject with great dedication. I saw how different groups could spend time together in a completely new way. I imagined a team of ten people playing in a 100-square-meter area, seeing each other inside the game world. The possibilities ranged from cooperative missions to competitive battles.
Step by step, I realized that there was no similar operator in Finland. Free-roam games could also be enhanced with haptic accessories, such as feedback vests and game weapons that simulated recoil. The freedom of movement and the deeper level of immersion were incredible!
Autumn 2024 arrived. The preliminary research was in good shape, and the equipment had already been evaluated. I wanted to dig deeper into how Pikseli had operated. When I arrived at their location in Vantaa’s Jumbo shopping center, a Pikseli employee informed me that there were no available time slots left. The business would be closing in two weeks.
What on earth had happened? Instead of stepping into healthy competition, we had suddenly found ourselves in the pioneer’s position. It felt as if the ball had rolled right to my feet, and I stood there bewildered on the field. Now it was time to take the shot. A quick phone call to two friends, and it was time to set big wheels in motion. That was the beginning of Olio VR Oy—virtual reality played together, freely, and for real.
On January 16th, we opened our doors in Pikseli’s former location at Vantaa’s Jumbo. We proudly carry the torch lit by our predecessor, moving forward in our own way toward a new era in the virtual world. We offer unforgettable experiences you simply can’t get at home.
Now, that ’90s gaming atmosphere has finally reached the virtual world. We’re able to bring people genuinely together—2020s style. Only imagination sets the limits in the worlds where you can spend time together. Whether you’re having fun, laughing, shooting, marveling, goofing around, getting startled, puzzling things out, or learning—anything is possible!
The future will show what our innovative team is capable of. Just how vast these virtual worlds might grow in our hands!
Comments