During the "School Internship Games" in January 2023, 9th grade school students will learn more about job prospects in the games industry in Hamburg. They get insights into the games industry at the three Hamburg-based companies InnoGames, Goodgame Studios, and FISHLABS, as well as at the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW Hamburg). Experts from the industry provide insights into the creation process of computer games with practical tasks in game design, programming, audio and other areas. During the three-week internship, the students will be supervised by professional media educators from the Creative Gaming initiative. Applications for the 20 available places are possible from now until the end of the autumn vacations on October 28, 2022: https://schulpraktikum-games.de/

With more than 180 games companies, Hamburg is one of the most vibrant games industry locations in Europe. In addition to large development studios and publishers, there is a lively indie scene, which is shaped not least by the graduates of Hamburg's games degree programs. Even in the pandemic, the industry offers secure jobs, is growing and is looking for qualified young talent more than ever. 

But how does a young person get started in the games industry? What skills are required of young professionals? And what jobs and training opportunities are there in games? The Games School Internship provides answers to these questions. Twenty 9th grade school student can take part in the program in January, ten of them girls and ten boys, half from district schools and half from grammar schools.

"Games are not only loved by billions of gamers worldwide, but also offer a wide range of career opportunities. It is important for the games industry to get young people interested in game development at an early stage and to make contact to them as potential future employees. We want to convey to the next generation that our industry offers room for everyone who shares our passion for games and wants to contribute their skills. It's also a great experience for us ourselves to give young people insights into the many steps involved, from the initial idea to the finished game," explains Michael Zillmer, co-founder and Chief Operating Officer at InnoGames and spokesman for the game Hamburg regional association.

Insights into careers, visits to game studios and hands-on experience over three weeks
The internship gives school students insights into the work of professional game developers over three weeks from January 9 to 27, 2023. The young people will meet daily in the offices of the participating companies and HAW Hamburg University and get to know the city's games landscape. Experts from various Hamburg-based games companies give practical insights into their everyday work, talk about their careers and answer the students' questions. The participants also become active themselves through practical tasks and the discussion of game mechanics. The internship ends with a presentation of the games and content developed. The internship is organized and carried out by the Initiaitve Creative Gaming in close coordination with all partners involved.

Applications for participation now open
9th grade students of all school types from Hamburg are invited to apply for participation in the School Internship Games from now until October 28, 2022. Applications can be sent by email with the subject "January 2023" to hamburg@schulpraktikum-games.de. In addition to a cover letter and a resume as a PDF file, the following question should be answered: "In the development of which game title would you have liked to be involved and which task would you have taken on?" The application may also be submitted as a video with a maximum length of 45 seconds. The internship is recognized by schools as the company internship provided for in the curriculum.

School Internship Games: A joint Project of the Hamburg Games Landscape
The internship in January is already the third edition of "School Internship Games", a program developed in Hamburg and unique in Germany. It is jointly organized by players from the games industry, media educators and the university sector and is a good example of strong cooperation to bring the next generation of developers for the games hotpsot Hamburg on the way. In 2021, the partners from Hamburg's games industry already enabled young people to gain insights into game development - as a remote internship due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The second edition from June to July 2022 could then be held on site at the participating companies InnoGames, Tivola Games, FISHLABS as well as at HAW Hamburg. For the 2023 edition, the Hamburg-based development studio and publisher Goodgame Studios joins the program as a new company partner.

Further information events by Gamecity Hamburg
In addition to the joint school internship in games, the location initiatvie Gamecity Hamburg offers further opportunities to familiarize school students with the games industry as a professional perspective. In its "Gamecity@School" program, students meet with experts from the games industry for two school hours, who share insights and experiences from their everyday working lives. The first "Gamecity@School" events have already taken place, further dates are being planned and will be announced in good time via the cooperating schools. Schools and teachers interested in hosting a "Gamecity@School" event can contact Dennis Schoubye, Head of Gamecity Hamburg, via e-mail: dennis.schoubye@gamecity-hamburg.de

For further information please contact:
Anna Jäger
Gamecity Hamburg
PR Manager
T +49 40 23 72 435- 78
anna.jaeger@gamecity-hamburg.de  

(Photo above: Selim Sudheimer)