Stephan Jacob is Professor of Creative Technology at Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences (h_da) and 1st Chairman of the German Society for Game Studies. He originally studied computer science and is the founder of BiteTheBytes GmbH, where he served as managing director from 2007 to 2013. With its World Creator product, BiteTheBytes developed the world's first real-time landscape generator based on AI and established itself as a global market leader in the animation and gaming market. Almost all major studios use its software. For his achievements, he received the Hessian Founder Award, the German Developer Award and the European Technology Innovation Award. Since 2008, Jacob has been teaching at various public and private educational institutions. Among other things, he headed the Game Programming department at the Games Academy, Europe's oldest institution for game studies, and coordinated numerous student projects, some of which reached over a million players. Since 2018, he has been a professor and programme director for the ‘Animation & Game’ programme at Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences. His research focuses on programming, gamification, AI and game design. Jacob is well connected in the national and international gaming industry, is a sought-after speaker and industry expert, and collaborates on innovative research projects, including a gamification project with the European Space Agency.

Prof. Carla Heinzel is Professor for Technical Art for Animation and Game at Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences (h_da). Her teaching focuses on the intersection of art and technology in interactive media, including real-time graphics, technical art workflows, and production pipelines for games and animation.

Before joining academia, she gained experience in digital media production and technical development for creative projects. Her work centers on enabling artists and developers to collaborate efficiently by building tools, pipelines, and workflows that support modern real-time production.

At h_da she supports students in developing technically sophisticated and visually compelling interactive experiences, preparing them for careers in the international animation and games industry.

Prof. Melanie Beisswenger is Professor for Animation at Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences (h_da). In the Animation & Game program she teaches character animation, storytelling through movement, and the fundamentals of animated performance.

Her work explores the artistic and narrative potential of animation across film and interactive media. She encourages students to develop strong visual storytelling skills and expressive character work.

Through studio-based teaching and project work she supports students in creating animated stories that combine technical skill with artistic expression.

Prof. Sebastian Feld is Professor for Game Design at Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences (h_da). In the Animation & Game program he teaches game design theory, prototyping, and the development of engaging gameplay systems.

His work focuses on player experience, interaction design, and the creative development of mechanics that shape meaningful gameplay. Feld encourages students to explore both experimental and commercial design approaches, from early prototypes to polished game concepts.

Through project-based learning he supports interdisciplinary teams in turning ideas into playable experiences and preparing them for professional work in the games industry.

Prof. Tilmann Kohlhaase is Professor for Animation and Game Production at Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences (h_da). His teaching focuses on animation pipelines, project management, and the coordination of complex animation projects.

He supports students in understanding the practical realities of media production, from planning and scheduling to team coordination and delivery. His work emphasizes efficient workflows and collaborative production environments.

Through project-based teaching he prepares students to manage creative projects and work successfully in professional production teams.

Prof. Boris Kunkel is Professor for Creative Producing & Design Development at Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences (h_da). His teaching focuses on the development and production of creative projects within interdisciplinary teams.

With extensive experience in media production and creative industries, he supports students in shaping ideas into structured projects and sustainable production processes. His work emphasizes concept development, creative leadership, and the organization of complex creative workflows.

At h_da he helps students transform experimental ideas into professional projects, preparing them for careers in games, animation, and digital media.

Prof. Dr. Martin Leissler is Professor for Game Development at Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences (h_da), where he has been teaching game programming and software development for video games since 2013. He studied computer science and received his Ph.D. from the Technical University of Darmstadt.

Before joining academia, he worked as a researcher at the Fraunhofer Society in the field of 3D information visualization and contributed to several publicly funded research projects. He also founded a company developing games and mobile applications and led software development for a major European congress organizer, where he expanded the business into web-based e-learning platforms and mobile apps.

Leissler has been involved in game development since his early years, contributing as a programmer to several video game titles for platforms such as the Commodore Amiga and Sega Mega Drive. His current research interests include VR and AR gaming, game interaction paradigms, machine-learning-based game AI, and software architecture and design patterns for games.

Prof. Ramon Schauer is Professor for Visual Effects (VFX) at Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences (h_da). In the Animation & Game program he teaches visual effects techniques, simulation, and digital compositing.

His work explores the technical and artistic creation of visual effects for film, animation, and interactive media. He focuses on combining technical precision with creative storytelling.

At h_da he supports students in mastering modern VFX tools and workflows while encouraging experimentation and innovation in visual effects production.

Prof. Wilhelm Weber is Professor of Game Design at Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences (h_da), where he teaches within the international Animation & Game program. His teaching focuses on game design, production workflows, and preparing students for professional work in the games industry.

Students appreciate his industry insights, sharp humor, and the occasional reminder that good game design—much like a good joke—often depends on timing, rhythm, and knowing exactly how far you can push things before it gets awkward.

Before joining academia, Weber gained extensive industry experience as a game producer and has worked in the games sector for several decades. Through his long-standing involvement in the industry, he has built strong international networks and regularly connects students and projects with professionals from the games business.

In addition to his teaching, Weber is active in the German games ecosystem. He has been involved in initiatives supporting the regional games industry and served in leadership roles within organizations such as gamearea-HESSEN, helping to strengthen collaboration between academia, industry, and creative studios.

During his industry career he also encountered the more unusual corners of game development. From experimental prototypes to projects that pushed the boundaries of taste and marketability, Weber has seen first-hand that the games industry occasionally explores topics that are a little more… adult. While those projects may not always make it into official portfolios, they certainly make for entertaining stories in class.