Indie Game Studio Academy
Explore all aspects of game development in a collaborative environment and expand game development skills to experience what it’s like to start an independent video game studio.
Build worlds. Build a studio.
Designed for students with prior experience in Unity, Unreal, or 3-D modeling software like Maya or Blender, the Indie Game Studio Academy builds on existing skills while introducing the teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving that define indie development.
Students dive into the indie development cycle, tackling concept creation, rapid prototyping, iterative critique, and pitching. Every session mirrors a real studio environment, with hands-on production, cross-role collaboration, and team feedback. The program culminates in a professional-style game pitch, where students present their creative vision alongside a playable prototype to share with friends and family.
By the end of the academy, students will gain:
- A realistic understanding of how indie studios operate
- A team-built prototype to showcase in a college-application portfolio
- First-hand experience of the creativity and collaboration at the heart of game development
|
Ages & Grade Level |
Dates |
Cost |
|
| Indie Game Studio Academy | Ages 16–19, Grade 11–First-Year College | Monday, July 5 – Friday, July 16 |
$4,500* |
*This Early Bird Rate ends on January 4, 2027, at 5:00 PM. Use code EARLYBIRD27 when registering.
What you’ll do
- Work independently in Unity, Unreal, Maya, or Blender
- Develop concepts and rapid prototypes with your team
- Give and receive feedback in iterative critique sessions
- Collaborate across roles, just like a real studio
- Pitch your game in a professional-style presentation
- Share your playable prototype with friends and family
- Get a realistic look at how indie studios operate
Think of it as a studio, not a classroom. You’ll prototype, critique, revise, and pitch — then share what your team built with friends and family. You’ll work hard, learn fast, and have a blast.
Why You’ll Love the Indie Game Studio Academy
In the Indie Game Studio pre-college summer program, students will:
- Build on your existing skills in Unity, Unreal, Maya, or Blender
- Work through the indie development cycle, from concept creation to rapid prototyping to pitching
- Collaborate across roles and respond to team feedback, just as in a real indie studio
- Experience what studying game development at the college level looks like
- Create a team-built prototype for your portfolio
- Present your creative vision in a professional pitch
- Build skills and confidence through hands-on production
- Explore the beautiful city of Burlington, Vermont
- HAVE FUN!
In this pre-college summer program, you’ll work with Champlain College professors who teach in our Game Studio and have extensive industry expertise and professional connections.
Program attendees will have a lot in common with their fellow students. By working together in the classroom, living together in the residence halls, and enjoying extracurricular activities, students form friendships that last far beyond the length of the Academy.
“I’m really happy I came to the Academy because it gave me something new to learn about — and now I know what I want my future career to be!”
—Program Attendee
In an ever-changing world, Champlain College is renowned for preparing future leaders in the most sought-after career fields and professions that today’s students are most passionate about. Explore our facilities, learn from our industry-expert faculty, and enjoy our beautiful campus.
Who It’s For
- Students ages 16–19 with game development or 3-D modeling experience
- Students who are comfortable working independently in Unity, Unreal, Maya, orBlender and ready to see how an indie studio works
- Alumni of the Game Academy ready for the next challenge
- Students interested in the indie side of game development in college
What You’ll Gain
- A team-built prototype for your portfolio — a game you actually made, not one you were told how to make
- A realistic understanding of how indie studios operate, from concept to pitch
- First-hand experience of indie creativity and collaboration
- Skills and confidence that matter, whether you’re applying to game programs, planning your next project, or deciding what to study
Sample Daily Schedule
| TIME | ACTIVITY |
| 8:00–9:00 AM | Breakfast and Morning Meeting |
| 9:00 AM–12:00 PM | Game Studio Session I |
| 12:00–2:00 PM |
Lunch and Recreation |
| 2:00–5:00 PM |
Game Studio Session II |
| 5:00–10:00 PM |
Dinner and Recreation Activity |
| 11:00 PM |
Lights Out |
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