pelisarja

Pelisarja is a Finnish term used to describe a series of video games that share a common setting, characters, or branding and are released over multiple installments. The term combines peli (game) and sarja (series) and is widely used in Finnish media, game journalism, and marketing to distinguish one franchise from standalone titles.

A pelisarja typically centers on a core concept, such as a protagonist, world, or game mechanics, which is retained or evolved across titles. Installments may be direct sequels or spinoffs that expand the universe. The order of release or numbering is common, but some franchises adopt non-linear publishing.

Games within a pelisarja often maintain familiar controls and design language, enabling player familiarity while introducing new features, levels, or stories. Some pelisarja entries introduce major shifts in genre or tone, which can broaden the audience or cause divergence within the series.

In Finland, the term is used in reporting about local and international franchises. A well-known example is the Angry Birds series by Rovio, which constitutes one of the country's most prominent pelisarjoja.

Critics evaluate pelisarjat on consistency, innovation, and staying power. Long-running series may face fatigue risks, while well-managed franchises can sustain engagement through iterative improvements and new platforms.

See also: video game franchise; game series; spin-off.