School Internship Games 2024: Hands-on Video Game Development

The School Internship Games 2024 initiative served as a professional development program designed to introduce secondary school students to the video game industry in Hamburg, Germany. Held from June 24 to July 12, 2024, the three-week program provided 17 ninth-grade students—comprising nine girls and eight boys—with hands-on experience in game development and exposure to various professional career paths within the sector.

The program was a collaborative effort involving prominent local industry entities, including FISHLABS, InnoGames, Square Enix, Tivola Games, the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, and the Initiative Creative Gaming. Throughout the internship, participants engaged with these organizations to gain technical insights, build professional portfolios, and learn to use industry-standard game engines. The curriculum culminated in a two-day game jam, where students successfully developed and presented seven distinct projects, ranging from text-based adventures to pixel-art platformers.

Organizers noted a high level of technical proficiency among the participants, many of whom arrived with prior experience in programming and design. This initiative reflects a broader regional commitment to fostering future talent, supported by the Gamecity Hamburg organization. Beyond the internship, the initiative maintains ongoing educational outreach through the Gamecity@School program, which facilitates direct engagement between industry experts and students to promote awareness of career opportunities in the games industry. The program underscores the growing seriousness with which young students approach game development as a viable professional trajectory.