MA in Animation and Game
Recurring extracurricular events
Games Industry Talks
This format is unique in Germany! Every Wednesday, we invite someone from the industry to talk about their favourite topics or their job. This is often a talk, sometimes a deep dive into a very specific topic, or simply 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 speakers. Sometimes we have a game designer, a producer, a programmer, a tech artist or someone from marketing … or even company directors.
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 one another 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!
Over the years, we’ve had some truly brilliant people on campus:
Björn Pankratz (Piranha Bytes)
Fernando Forero (Blizzard)
Moritz Lehr (CD Projekt Red)
Jan Wagner (Owned by Gravity)
Jan Klose (Deck13)
Jan Theysen (KING Art Games)
Adrian Goersch (Black Forest Games)
Juliet Homer (Epic Games)
Thorsten Röpke (Keen Games)
Seçkin Akgül (Bethesda)
Tinko Wizorek (Keen Games)
Andreas Wilsdorf (Electronic Arts)
Rolf Bertz (Ubisoft)
Carina Heller (Mark13)
Geon Cho (MetricMinds)
Markus Werner (Ubisoft)
Alina Dreesmann (DECK13 Interactive)
Lina Schlotter (Disney Animation Studios)
Andreas Feist (Black Forest Games)
Julian Oberbeck (Studio Fizbin)
Falko Löffler
and more…
Gamescom
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!
Global Game Jam
Get ready to jam your way into the global spotlight!
Welcome to the Global Jam—an electrifying event that fuels creativity, collaboration and innovation! As Germany’s largest single Jam site, hda is ready to show the world what we’re made of!
But what is the Global Jam? More than just an event, it’s a convergence of talent, ideas and expertise from around the world. Participants dive into intense, time-limited creative sessions spanning game development, storytelling, music and visual arts.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a fresh-faced rookie, the Global Jam welcomes all skill levels. It’s a chance to push your creative boundaries, explore new ideas, and showcase your talent on a global stage.
Are you ready to unleash your talents, connect with like-minded people, and dive headfirst into a whirlwind of creativity? Then mark your calendars, because everyone’s invited to join in the action!
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
Board Game Nights
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.
Gaming Parties
Whenever a new game is released 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.
Console Tournaments
Every term we try to organise a major tournament in 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 it 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.