Xamk Summer School of Gaming

The studies will focus on Essentials of Video Game Creation (3 ECTS) and will teach you how to create a video game by studying concept design and development. You will learn in practice how to develop a basic game concept, from an idea to a pitch. The classes will be held by gaming industry professionals:

Dr. Jan Storgards, Director, CADGI (Cambridge Academy of Digital Games and Innovation)
James Shepherd, CEO, Cypherdelic ltd, Head of Studio, nDreams

The required skills for Xamk Summer School of Gaming are just some basic computer software skills, but no need to have experience in game development. However, to make your experience more enjoyable, before starting the course, it is strongly recommended to study some modules from Xamk Open University – course Introduction to Video Games Creation.

The whole programme will be in English, so a good understanding of English language is required (preferably B1 level). It´s not required to be a degree student to be able to participate to the programme. Use of own laptop is required, bring your own device to campus during the studies.

During your stay in Finland, you will not only have the opportunity to attend classes carried out by internationally known gaming professionals, but you will also have the chance to visit the world’s largest archipelago and its breathtaking coastline, experience the endless days of Finnish summer and make tons of international friends to share unforgettable memories with.

Check out the schedule for Summer School of Gaming 2024!

Xamk retains the right to make changes when necessary.

Overview

When: 5th – 9th August 2024
Where: Merikeskus Vellamo, Tornatorintie 99, 48100 Kotka
Price: 550€ for students from Xamk’s partner institutions, 570€ for students from non-partner institutions.
Accommodation: Not included. For affordable accommodation (one week per person – 190€) book at: TheRoomz.
Requirements: Good level of English language (preferably B1 level) and basic computer software skills. Bring your own laptop!
Application period: 22.1.2024 – 19.5.2024
Contact: claudia.riva(at)xamk.fi

Application link!

STUDENT FEEDBACK FROM 2023

“I feel that my communication skills have improved a lot. I also got an idea of the gaming industry and I am considering getting into the industry.”

“I feel that this course was an extremely useful usage of my summer which has truly shaped my perspective around the video game industry and possibly even inclined my future involvement in it.”

“I will consider to take this career path more than I did before.”

About Xamk Summer School of Gaming

Games are one of the most exciting, fast moving, and lucrative creative industries worldwide. In the last 20 years the industry has matured to over $200 billion and diversified. There are several key disciplines people can specialise in. The most successful games are creative powerhouses that have revenue returns that far outstrip comparable products in other mediums. Examples include PUBG, GTA series, Need for Speed, Temple Run, Angry Birds, Clash of Clans to name a few massive success stories.

Xamk Summer School of Gaming will teach you the essentials of video games creation, game concept design and development in a fun and engaging cultural environment. You will learn the basics of what games are and how they are developed, as well as meet people from all over the world interested in video games creation. During the programme you will learn in practice how to develop a basic game concept from an idea to a pitch. You will also learn teamworking by developing a game concept in a team.

At the end of the study week, all teams will present their game idea with a pitch and the best idea will be rewarded with a prize.

Before you come to the summer school, we recommend you to study Modules 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 from Introduction to Video Games Creation. These cover basics of the video games industry as well as you will learn about your gaming preferences and about various game features for your game designs. These are important learnings which you will be using during the week. The modules are not difficult, but they require time to complete of course.

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Instructors

Dr. Jan Storgårds is IVGC Course Leader, entrepreneur, Director of CADGI (Cambridge Academy of Games and Innovation) and CEO of Cambridge Gamechanger ltd.

He has over 25 years of experience working in the industry and academia with high technology companies and technology cluster development, including video games and gamification. He holds Dr.Sc. in information systems science in computer games development from Aalto University, Finland.

Prior to his current roles he was Sector Lead for Digital and Creative Industries at Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge and a visiting research fellow at University of Cambridge Judge Business School working with and currently mentoring, start-ups and early-stage technology companies including video game studios.

James Shepherd is the CEO of Cypherdelic Limited. Double Bafta and Develop winning creative executive responsible for delivering multi-million selling products. Head of the nDreams Studio. Responsible for the release of cutting-edge VR products, ‘Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord’, ‘Synapse’, ‘Fracked’ and ‘Far Cry: Dive into Insanity’.

At Microsoft James created the Xbox One and Xbox live games community ‘Upload’, and the app, ‘Upload Studio’, generating a 6.5 million user base, and 10+ million views in the initial 12 month launch window.

At Sony he had 6 years’ experience as director of a multi project development studio, managing dev teams of up to 200 people, delivering triple ‘A’ products internally and externally on all PlayStation platforms, including, ‘Heavenly Sword’, (PS3, 1.6m units, 79% Metacritic) and ‘LittleBigPlanet’, (PSP, 2.5m units, 87% Metacritic).

Application period

Application period for Xamk Summer School of Gaming has ended!

Arrival

Kotka is situated on the South coast of Finland, 130 km away from Helsinki. Depending on where you are coming from, there are different means of transport you might find convenient:

If you are traveling via Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL), we recommend to use train to Helsinki city center and a bus connection to Kotka, Sutela.
If you arrive in Helsinki by ferry from Tallinn/Riga or via other cities in Finland, please, check VR, Matkahuolto or Onnibus web-pages for the option.

Useful information:

You can reach Helsinki from Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL) with TRAIN P or I from the train station located inside the airport. You can buy your train ticket from the vending machine at the train station or with the mobile phone app of HSL.
Arrived in Helsinki, Kamppi bus station is located at walking distance from Helsinki train station.
At Kamppi bus station, take a bus that will bring you to Kotka. Remember to book your ticket from Onnibus.

You can check local bus timetables at Kotkan aikataulut and Matkahuolto Travel & transport services.

Welcome to Kotka

Kotka is the second largest city in Kymenlaakso County. It is located on the coast of the Baltic Sea, the Gulf of Finland, at the estuary of Kymi river. Kotka is known by its port, industry and maritime festivals. Kotka is also known as a multifaceted city of educational institutions and culture.

Kotka was founded in 1879. Now the population is about 55.000. The area is 750 km2, but most of it is water, 272 km2 is land. Kotka is located 130 km east from Helsinki and 290 km west from St. Petersburg; the highway no 18 runs through Kotka. In the city there are two centres, Kotkansaari (the Isle of Kotka) and Karhula.

The characteristics of Kotka are based on the sea and Kymi river. The Port of HaminaKotka is the biggest universal, export and transshipment port in Finland. The main traffic consists of timber, paper, metal and stone.

Kymi river is famous for fishing, you may catch salmon, pike, whitefish, perch, pikeperch. There are also many possibilities to paddle and shoot the rapids in the river. The archipelago of Kotka consists of tens of islands.

Kotka is a charming maritime city located in the south-east coast of Finland. The city is famous for its nature and its unique parks, such as Sapokka Waterpark and Katariina Seapark. You can also visit Maretarium to discover more about the local aquatic nature and the Maritime Centre Vellamo to learn about the historical battles that took place in the past.

Accommodation

Xamk has an agreement with The Roomz for affordable private furnished rooms with shared common areas, such as kitchen, living room and laundry facilities. The accommodation is fully furnished including sheets, towels, kitchenware and have a free Internet connection.

The price for one week per person in The Roomz is 190€.

We highly recommend to book your staying at The Roomz!

The Roomz is located at Savottakuja 3, 48310, Kotka and the distance between the accommodation and Kotka campus is around 4km. There is a public bus connection between the accommodation and Xamk campus or there is also the possibility to rent a bike for a very affordable price.

You can find other accommodation options e.g. from the following links:

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