This format is unique in Germany! Every Wednesday, we invite someone from the industry to talk about their favourite topics or their job. This often takes the form of a talk, sometimes a deep dive into a very specific topic, or simply a look at best practices. After the talk, the enthusiastic students’ burning questions are answered. And depending on how much time is left, we move on to a relaxed meet-and-greet.

We welcome a wide variety of contributions. Sometimes we have a game designer, a producer, a programmer, a tech artist or someone from marketing … or even company directors.
Last year we had some truly brilliant people on campus:

• Moritz Lehr (CD Projekt Red – Lead Quest Designer for “Cyberpunk”)
• Fernando Forero (Blizzard – Senior UI Artist for “Diablo 4 / The Witcher 3”)
• Andreas Wilsdorf (Electronic Arts – Producer, “FIFA series”)
• Jane Katsubo (Larian Studios – Concept Artist for “Baldur’s Gate 3”)
• Patrick Gladys (Raw Power Games – Lead Environment Artist / formerly at Blizzard Entertainment / DICE)
• Johannes Reithmann (EA Maxis – Creative Director, “The Sims”)
• Alina Dreesmann (RSI / Cloud Imperium – Level Designer for “Star Citizen”)
• Björn Pankratz (Piranha Bytes – CEO)
• Juliet Homer (EPIC Games – Character Artist)
• Jan Wagner (Owned by Gravity – CEO)
• Rolf Bertz (Ubisoft – Expert Tech Artist, “Anno” series)
• Jan Theysen (KING Art Games – Creative Director, “Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War 4”)
• Thorsten Röpke (Keen Games – Producer, “Enshrouded”)
• Tinko Wizorek (Keen Games – Lead Artist for “Enshrouded”)
• Jan Klose (Deck13 – Founder)
• Adrian Goersch (Black Forest Games – CEO)
• Annika Thun (CEO – Kalypso / “Tropico” series)
• Carina Heller (Mark13)
• Falko Löffler
• Geon Cho (Crytek – Senior Producer, “Hunt”)
• Seçkin Akgül (Bethesda – Head of PR for “Starfield”)
• Markus Werner (Ubisoft – Game Designer for “Anno 1800”)
• Lina Schlotter (Disney Animation Studios)
• Andreas Feist (Black Forest Games – Tech Artist)
• Julian Oberbeck (Studio Fizbin)

These talks are open to the public, but only on campus! We do not stream or record the talks, as we want to network and get to know each other in person. So if you fancy attending a talk, just pop along – you don’t have to be a student here.

And if you’re from the industry and would like to give a talk, just get in touch with us!

Experience our students’ creativity first-hand at Europe’s largest gaming trade fair! Every year, we have the privilege of representing our university at Gamescom to showcase the best games created by our talented students. At the Indie Arena Booth – the hub for indie games and innovation – we exhibit a hand-picked selection of outstanding projects. From compelling narratives to innovative gameplay mechanics and stunning visuals, our students will demonstrate their full potential and inspire visitors from all over the world.

Be there when our up-and-coming game developers present their work to an international audience and network with other industry leaders. Gamescom is not just a trade fair, but a melting pot of creativity and inspiration.

Don’t miss the chance to be part of this exciting adventure! Visit our stand at Gamescom and discover the stars of tomorrow today. We look forward to introducing you to the world of game development and pushing the boundaries of what is possible together.

Join us and experience the future of gaming with our study programme!

Get ready to jam your way into the global spotlight!

Welcome to the heart-pounding excitement of the Global Jam—an electrifying event that sparks creativity, collaboration and innovation like never before!

Here at hda, we’re proud to be the largest single Jam Site in all of Germany, and we’re gearing up to show the world what we’re made of!

But what exactly is the Global Jam? It’s more than just an event; it’s a convergence of talent, ideas and expertise from around the world. Participants come together to take part in intense, time-limited creative sessions, spanning disciplines such as game development, digital storytelling, music composition and visual arts.

Are you ready to unleash your talents, connect with like-minded individuals, and dive headfirst into a whirlwind of creativity? Then mark your calendars, because everyone’s invited to join in the action!

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a fresh-faced rookie, the Global Jam welcomes all skill levels and backgrounds. It’s a chance to break free from the ordinary, stretch your creative muscles, and push the boundaries of what’s possible. Plus, with the whole world watching, who knows what incredible masterpieces will emerge from the chaos?

So, what are you waiting for? Grab your friends, gather your gear, and get ready to embark on the adventure of a lifetime! The Global Jam awaits, and your ticket to fame and glory is just a click away. See you there!

Our Jam Site: https://globalgamejam.org/jam-sites/2024/mediencampus

We organise a board game evening at least twice a semester. We have a huge collection of well-known and significant board games. Many game mechanics that also feature in video games originate from the world of board games or are well represented there. With board games or tabletop games, you can explore these mechanics step by step, as if in slow motion, and this forms an important part of our game design research.

Sometimes board game designers come along to play with us, or we host manufacturers who want to test new, as yet unpublished games.

Whenever a new game comes out or there’s a buzz about something… do you want to share it with others? Or do you just want to spend a relaxed evening playing with your fellow students, without missing out on music and fun…? Our impromptu gaming parties are the perfect way to do just that.

Every semester we try to organise a major tournament at the Gamelab, which is usually officially supported and attended by the developer. Whether it’s Nintendo (Mario Kart), Capcom (Street Fighter) or Namco Bandai (Tekken) – our excellent contacts in the industry make this possible.

With us, you can compete against others!

Our Gamelab has large screens and a streaming cube to broadcast these eSports events and make them exciting for everyone.