We spoke with Oliver Rikkilä and Valtteri Kukkola, senior consultants at Siili One (an independent consultancy within Siili Solutions that connects senior-level experts directly with clients), who are also primary organizers of Siili LAN, to learn more about this popular event.
Key takeaways
- Siili LAN is a longstanding, treasured tradition that unites Siili employees in a weekend filled with gaming, competitions, and camaraderie. It emerged naturally from employees' interests, evolving into a fundamental part of Siili’s culture over the years.
- Originally an exclusive “PC master race” gathering, the event now also includes board games, console tournaments, live music, and miniature wargaming.
- Oliver Rikkilä and Valtteri Kukkola are both senior consultants at Siili One, an independent consultancy within Siili Solutions that connects senior-level experts directly with clients.
- The Siili LAN event took place on March 28–30, 2025, with around 80 attendees gathering at the Helsinki office. Smaller "shadow LANs" are also held at other Siili offices across Finland during the same weekend, with durations varying—from a single evening to a full weekend—depending on the local setup and interest.
A sneak peek into Siili LAN
Oliver Rikkilä started his career in sales, working for Elisa for almost a decade before making a bold career switch into software development. After joining Siili in 2016 as part of an apprentice program, he quickly moved into leadership roles, working as a tribal leader before shifting back into consulting. Now a Senior Developer at Siili One, Oliver specializes in frontend developtmend and AI-tooling. Outside of work, he’s a father of two and a passionate gamer who enjoys painting Warhammer miniatures. He's also an avid football player, snowboarder, wakeboarder, and a devoted fan of Manchester United.
Valtteri Kukkola has been with Siili since 2017, originally starting in IT support before moving into DevOps and automation engineering. Over time, he took on leadership responsibilities and now works as a DevOps Architect at Siili One. A lifelong gamer, Valtteri plays everything from League of Legends to Apex Legends and niche games like PokeMMO. He also shares Oliver’s passion for Warhammer.
Together, Oliver and Valtteri took over the baton of organizing Siili LAN from a former colleague, Matias Kantele, around 2019, building upon the event's foundations. What Matias started as a niche event for a handful of gaming enthusiasts has now grown into an integral part of Siili’s workplace culture. Interestingly, Matias still attends the event even though he is no longer a Siili employee.
What is Siili LAN?
Siili LAN is a weekend-long gaming event where Siili employees bring their personal computers, gaming consoles, and board games to the office. It’s an informal, immersive gathering where they play games, compete in tournaments, and even sleep at the office. While the event started as a pure gaming marathon, it has expanded over the years to include board games, live music performances, console gaming, and even miniature wargaming like Warhammer.
“There’s an official rule that nobody sleeps at the event,” Valtteri jokes, “but in reality, we bring sleeping bags and crash somewhere in the office when we need a break.”
Siili LAN is primarily an internal event designed to build and nurture the Siili community. While it doesn't open its doors broadly to external visitors, alumni and family members—especially children and spouses—are warmly welcomed. This makes it a meaningful experience not just for employees but for their loved ones as well. “Occasionally, select clients or recruits may also visit to experience our vibrant company culture firsthand,” Oliver adds.
Over the years, Siili LAN has grown significantly, introducing more casual-friendly activities, board game areas, console gaming, and even live music performances by employees who play instruments.
While casual drinks are still part of the weekend, the focus today is very much on gaming, with tournaments, group play sessions, and shared hobbies bringing people together. Oliver also mentions that he attended last year’s event with his 13-year-old son, and they both thoroughly enjoyed the weekend together. The event now reflects a truly inclusive and family-friendly atmosphere.
Fictional worlds, real relationships
For many, Siili LAN is more than just gaming—it’s about connection. “This was one of the first events where I really connected with my colleagues on a deeper level,” Valtteri recalls. “It’s different from a Christmas party or a company retreat. When you spend a whole weekend together, playing, strategizing, and just having fun, it builds relationships that last.”
Oliver agrees: “The best part is that it’s an organic event. It’s not something the company forces on people. It grew because people love it, and now it’s a core part of Siili identity and culture.”
The games at the Siili LAN events
At any given time, multiple games are running simultaneously across various platforms, including PCs, gaming consoles, and even mobile phones. Some participants immerse themselves in single-player adventures, while others engage in multiplayer co-op or competitive matches.
“We’re always open to new ideas,” Valtteri says. “Every year, someone suggests a new tournament or activity, and we try to make it happen.”
Popular PC and console tournaments typically feature titles such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Call of Duty: Warzone, Rocket League, Valorant, Apex Legends, League of Legends, and Hell Let Loose.
Console-focused tournaments often showcase Mario Kart, NHL 25, FC25, and Street Fighter 6. Additionally, Siili LAN embraces games accessible to all, such as the Jackbox Party Pack, which only requires participants to use their mobile phones, allowing everyone to join the fun easily.
“We also stream some of the tournaments live on Twitch,” Oliver adds. “Especially the Pro Pilkki 2 ice fishing game—it’s ridiculously fun to watch.”
Leaderboards are a notable part of the competitive spirit at Siili LAN. While the event maintains an informal atmosphere, participants eagerly track their rankings across various tournaments. Scores from previous years are often documented, creating friendly rivalries and memorable traditions. Top performers proudly receive trophies, which many display around the office, serving as playful reminders of past victories and enhancing the communal spirit of the event.
The map of the Siili LAN 2024 party
Final thoughts
The Siili LAN tradition was started and sustained by employees who are passionate about gaming and building connections. For Oliver, Valtteri, and many others at Siili, it’s more than just a weekend event; it’s an opportunity to unwind, compete, and strengthen the bonds that make Siili a unique place to work.
Although Siili LAN is an exclusive, internal event, it plays a key role in showcasing Siili’s work culture. “We’ve even had potential recruits and customers visit to see what we do,” Oliver notes. “It’s a great way to show we’re a strong community.” Whether it's competing in a Pro Pilkki 2 tournament or strategizing in Hell Let Loose, one thing is clear—Siili LAN is here to stay.
About the organizers
Oliver Rikkilä is a Senior Developer at Siili One specializing in front-end development and cloud technologies. With a deep technical skillset and a creative mindset, he builds robust digital experiences for clients. Outside of work, Oliver is a father of two and a passionate gamer. He enjoys painting Warhammer miniatures and is an avid football player, snowboarder, and wakeboarder. A lifelong Manchester United supporter, Oliver brings energy and precision to everything he does—whether it's coding or carving turns on the slopes.
Valtteri Kukkola is a DevOps Architect at Siili One, where he focuses on software automation and cloud-native solutions. He helps teams streamline development processes, improve deployment pipelines, and bring scalable systems to life. Outside the world of CI/CD and infrastructure, Valtteri is a dedicated gamer with a love for both popular esports and obscure indie gems. He’s also a Warhammer enthusiast, enjoying the tactical challenge and creativity that come with miniature gaming.
