Xamk Summer School of Gaming
We warmly welcome you to participate to the Xamk Summer School of Gaming!
Xamk Summer School of Gaming is a one week intensive programme that will be held at Xamk’s Mikkeli campus 4.–10.8.2025.
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 – you don’t 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 the Introduction to Video Game Creation course. Enrollment to the course will be possible after you have been accepted to the Summer School.
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.
Xamk retains the right to make changes when necessary.
Overview
When: 4th–10th August 2024
Where: Xamk Mikkeli campus, Patteristonkatu 3 D, 50100 Mikkeli
Price: 550€ for students from Xamk’s partner institutions, 570€ for students from non-partner institutions.
Accommodation: Not included. A good option is Hotel and Hostel Marja. Feel free to check Airbnb options as well!
Requirements: Good level of English language (minimum B1 level) and basic computer software skills. Bring your own laptop!
Application period: 21.2.2025 – 18.5.2025
Contact: anu.pirttimaki(at)xamk.fi
Enrollment link will be published soon!
STUDENT FEEDBACK
“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 worked in the game industry before
as a working student, but the Xamk Summer School was a really good practice for me to pitch ideas, because I have not done that and I was so nervous. I will definitly continue working with the knwoledge I gained!”
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.
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 will begin soon!
Arrival
Mikkeli is situated in the lake district of Finland, 230 km away from Helsinki. The most convenient way to arrive to Mikkeli from the Helsinki-Vantaa airport is by train:
- Helsinki Airport’s train station is located conveniently under the terminal. There is a direct elevator and escalator connection from the departures and arrivals hall to the train station. From there, you will go to the P train to Tikkurila train station and change to the long-distance train to Mikkeli. You will most likely have to use the escalator to get to the correct track when you switch trains.
- You can buy your train ticket from the vending machine at the train station or online at VR railway company. You can also download the VR Matkalla app from Google Play or App Store.
Welcome to Mikkeli
Mikkeli is located on the beautiful shores of Lake Saimaa, just a couple of hours away from Helsinki. There are over 6000 students in Mikkeli. In total, the city has about 50,000 inhabitants. Xamk’s campus is located within a 10-minute walk from the city center, where you can find Finland’s most beautiful market square, diverse shopping centers, and a cozy pedestrian street.
Mikkeli offers plenty of leisure opportunities to balance out your studies. The city is surrounded by beautiful nature, with clean waters and forests providing space to breathe and relax. There are diverse recreational activities available, making student life vibrant and lively. The atmosphere in Mikkeli is relaxed – it’s easy to live and thrive here!
MORE INFORMATION
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For any questions related to Xamk Summer School of Gaming, please contact:
Anu Pirttimäki
email: anu.pirttimaki(at)xamk.fi
whatsapp: +358 44 702 8237