Gamecity@School: Insights into the Games Industry for Hamburg School Students

The Gamecity@School initiative serves as a strategic outreach program designed to cultivate the next generation of gaming professionals within Hamburg. By connecting senior students with established industry experts, the program aims to demystify career paths and provide a comprehensive overview of the local games ecosystem. The primary objective is to bridge the gap between academic education and professional practice, fostering early interest in the sector as a viable career trajectory.

The pilot event, held on June 3, 2021, at the Stadtteilschule am Hafen, featured a collaborative online session involving 25 senior students. Industry professionals from prominent Hamburg-based studios—including Tiny Roar, Osmotic Studios, and InnoGames—provided firsthand insights into diverse job profiles such as game design, 3D artistry, and software development. These practitioners shared personal career narratives to illustrate the various entry points and skill sets required to succeed in the competitive gaming landscape.

This initiative reflects a broader commitment to strengthening the Hamburg games cluster through educational engagement. Given the positive reception of the initial session, the program is positioned for expansion to additional secondary schools across the district. By facilitating direct interaction between students and active developers, the project seeks to ensure a sustainable pipeline of talent for the regional industry, ultimately reinforcing Hamburg’s status as a key hub for game development and innovation.