Gaming is for everyone
Porvoo Youth Services’ games activities are intended for everyone, regardless of gender or gaming skills. At our gatherings, everyone can play the games they want to play and are allowed to play for their age. We will address any inappropriate behaviour, bullying and discrimination in the games room.
Our aim is to support and educate children and young people to engage in responsible gaming. We actively discuss gaming as part of a balanced daily life with young people.
Age limits
We respect age limits for games. The age limit for games is determined by the age of the youngest visitor in the games room. In practice, this means that in the afternoons between 14.00 and 17.00 we only play games for children under the age of 12. In the evenings after 17.00, the maximum age limit for games is 13.
Ultimately, the responsibility for a young person’s participation in our activities and what they play lies with their guardian. We encourage discussion at home about what games are played and when.
For more information on games and age limits, see:
Outpost games room, Zentra Youth Centre
Porvoo Youth Services’ biggest and newest games room, Outpost (known as Pousti among friends), can be found at the Zentra Youth Centre. There are 10 gaming computers with accessories, a PS5 and a Nintendo Switch. There is also a large shelf filled with board games. A streaming corner has also been set up in the back of the games room, where you can stream or produce content. We are also building a Maker corner, where you can e.g. repair broken game controllers or learn how to assemble and disassemble computers. Activities, equipment and content are constantly being acquired and developed based on the wishes of our visitors.
As a space, Outpost has been designed to be as accessible as possible. There is no threshold at the door, and the space has even floors and wide passageways. In addition to this, we aim to create a calm and approachable space through our interior design and colour choices. We are constantly working on accessibility and shaping the space to best serve all of our visitors.
Opening hours and age limits
Monday
1:00 PM – 4:30 PM: 3rd graders
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM: 6th graders
Wednesday
1:00 PM – 4:30 PM: 3rd graders
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM: 6th graders
Thursday
1:00 PM – 4:30 PM: 3rd graders
Friday
1:00 PM – 4:30 PM: 3rd graders
5:00 PM – 10:00 PM: 7th graders
Saturday
5:00 PM – 10:00 PM: 7th graders
Games for children over the age of 12
You can play games with an age limit of 12 at Outpost on Monday afternoons from 14.00 to 17.00 and every evening. You do not need to register in advance, but you must be at least 12 years old and have an up-to-date youth card. You can get a youth card at the youth facility.
Games for children over the age of 16
You can play games with an age limit of 16 at Outpost on Mondays from 17.00 to 20.00. During these times, there will be no instructor present in the games room, and the shift is what is known as a ‘youth activity shift.’You do not need to sign up in advance, but you must be at least 16 years old and have an up-to-date youth card. You can get a youth card at the youth facility.
Bunkkeri games room, Kertsi Youth Centre
The Gammelbacka Youth Centre Kertsi is home to the second games room, SideQuest. The games room features two PlayStation 5 consoles, a Nintendo Switch, an arcade game cabinet and PlayStation VR virtual glasses. The second PlayStation 5 is packed with car games and is connected to a high-quality driving chair with a steering wheel, pedals and a gear stick. The screens in the room are TVs designed for video games, 4k and 120hz, to help Playstation 5 reach its full potential. The space is designed and decorated to provide a good and safe console gaming experience, whether you’re playing alone or in a group.
Opening hours and age limits
Monday
1:00 PM – 4:30 PM: 3rd graders
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM: 6th graders
Wednesday
1:00 PM – 4:30 PM: 3rd graders
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM: 6th graders
Thursday
1:00 PM – 4:30 PM: 3rd graders
Friday
1:00 PM – 4:30 PM: 3rd graders
5:00 PM – 9:00 PM: 7th graders
Girls’ game nights
Girls game too! Everyone, regardless of gender, is welcome to play at any of Porvoo’s three youth centres. Porvoo Youth Services offer girls their own safe time to play the games they want. Together we can discover new games and learn about games and how to play. The age limits, and as a result the games that are played, are determined by the youngest player in the games room; read more under ‘Age limits’.
“Gender shouldn’t affect your gaming, but it often does, especially when you’re playing with other people. There are still gender gaps in the world of games. For example, games are marketed more to boys, and well-known gaming events and streamers are often male. Gaming by girls and women is less visible. They often play with their own friends and may face harassment or discrimination. It is important that every player strives to create a gaming culture where everyone can be involved as they are — Women and girls experience things like the denigration of their gaming skills and interests, but also direct gender-based harassment. To avoid harassment, female players may even feel they need to hide their gender, e.g. by using gender-neutral nicknames and opting out of voice chat. This may be why girls and women are not so visible as streamers or competitive gamers, for example.” Usva Friman, Doctoral Researcher, University of Turku, The Centre of Excellence in Game Culture Studies
Participation of young people
Hi there! Do you want to be involved in coming up with and implementing new activities? You can do that, and it’s really easy! The easiest way to be involved is to contact youth workers and tell them about your wishes concerning gaming. In addition to brainstorming, young people can also become volunteers, e.g. as assistant instructors, club instructors or even assistants in organising LAN parties. So roll up your sleeves and tell us how you want to be involved!
Gaming groups and e-sports activities organised by young people
Do you have your own CS, OW or an LoL team, for example? It is possible to reserve the gaming room for regular training sessions for games teams organised by young people.
In the room, teams will have the use of the computers and accessories of Porvoo Youth Services. In addition to this, a youth instructor can be involved in supporting team dynamics and taking team gaming to the next level. By reserving the room, young people agree to respect the rules of the space and to keep the equipment in good condition. The group also needs at least one adult person in charge, who can be e.g. the guardian of one of the team members.
It is also possible to play board games or collectible card games, for example.
Gaming with a group?
Are you a member of a school class, hobby group or rehabilitative work activity group interested in gaming? It is possible to book a games room for group use, and the youth instructors will be happy to host a variety of exercises for the group. While playing, you can practise teamwork and communication skills, for example.
Group activities are organised on Tuesdays during the day, but evening sessions are also possible on a case-by-case basis. Contact us to inquire about times for your group!
Equipment
In the games room, you will find 10 computers designed and assembled for gaming along with the necessary accessories. There is also a Nintendo Switch console and a PS5. Equipment and games will continue to be purchased according to demand and need. You can tell youth workers about your ideas and wishes.
Computer specifications: GeForce GTX 4060 OC Expedition, Intel Coffee Lake i5-8400, 32GB Ram
Headphones: Hyper-X Cloud2, Logitech G Pro X
Display: Samsung Odyssey G55C kaareva 32″
Keyboard: Logitech G413 mekaaninen pelinäppäimistö
Mouse: Logitech G402 Hyperion Fury FPS Gaming, Glorius Model D-
Contact
Amelie Enroth
Nuorisotyöntekijä, Nuorisotila Zentra, pelitoiminta SideQuest