Building Game Developers Through Practice

Our teaching approach focuses on hands-on experience rather than theoretical lectures.

We've spent years refining a system that mirrors actual studio workflows. Students work on real projects from week one, making mistakes in a safe environment and learning through iteration. The curriculum adjusts based on individual progress, and our mentors have all shipped commercial games.

Explore Programs
Students collaborating on mobile game development project

Three Pillars That Shape Our Teaching

These principles emerged from conversations with former students and industry partners. They're not buzzwords, they're the foundation of how we structure every course.

Project-First Learning

Theory without application fades quickly. Students begin building a simple game in their first week, even if they've never coded before. Each new concept gets immediately applied to their current project.

  • Weekly project milestones with peer reviews
  • Version control from day one
  • Regular playtesting sessions
  • Portfolio pieces that demonstrate growth

Industry-Connected Mentorship

Our instructors still work on commercial projects. Taiwa Berglund mentors our Swift development track while consulting for indie studios. This keeps curriculum relevant and connected to current market needs.

  • One-on-one code reviews every two weeks
  • Monthly Q&A with guest developers
  • Feedback based on studio standards
  • Career guidance from active professionals

Adaptive Progression

Not everyone learns at the same pace. Our platform tracks individual progress and adjusts content difficulty accordingly. If someone grasps UI patterns quickly but struggles with optimization, the system responds.

  • Personalized challenge difficulty
  • Optional deep-dive modules
  • Flexible pacing with milestone gates
  • Support channels for different learning styles

How Skills Build Over Time

Our twelve-month program follows a structured progression. Each phase builds on previous work, with clear milestones and regular portfolio updates.

1

Foundation Phase

Months 1-3

Students learn Swift fundamentals while building their first playable game. The focus is on core programming concepts, basic game loops, and understanding iOS development tools. By the end of month three, everyone has shipped a simple but complete game to TestFlight.

Swift Basics Xcode Navigation Git Workflow SpriteKit Introduction
2

Depth Building

Months 4-6

This phase introduces more complex systems like state management, data persistence, and player progression mechanics. Students work on a medium-complexity project that requires planning and architecture decisions. Code review sessions become more detailed.

Advanced UI/UX Game Architecture Performance Testing Analytics Integration
3

Professional Practice

Months 7-9

Students tackle a capstone project that simulates studio conditions. This includes working with designers, handling feedback from playtests, and making data-driven decisions about game balance. Monetization strategies and App Store optimization are covered here.

Team Collaboration Monetization Design A/B Testing App Store Best Practices
4

Portfolio Refinement

Months 10-12

The final quarter focuses on polishing portfolio pieces, preparing for technical interviews, and understanding the business side of game development. Students also work on personal projects that showcase their unique interests and strengths.

Portfolio Development Interview Preparation Business Fundamentals Specialized Topics

Who Guides the Learning Process

Our instructors balance teaching with ongoing development work. This dual role keeps them connected to industry changes and ensures students learn current practices.

Taiwa Berglund, Lead iOS Development Instructor

Taiwa Berglund

Lead iOS Development Instructor

Taiwa has spent eight years building mobile games for both indie studios and larger publishers. He started teaching in 2022 after realizing how much he enjoyed mentoring junior developers. His teaching style emphasizes debugging skills and understanding why code works, not just memorizing syntax. Students appreciate his patience with basic questions and his ability to explain complex topics through practical examples.

Liridona Mustafaj, Game Design and UX Specialist

Liridona Mustafaj

Game Design and UX Specialist

Before joining our team, Liridona worked as a game designer at a Taiwan-based mobile studio. She brings a player-centered perspective to technical discussions and helps students understand how code decisions affect user experience. Her background in psychology informs her teaching approach, particularly when helping students work through challenging concepts. She runs the monthly playtesting sessions and teaches the game balancing modules.

Questions Students Ask

These questions come up regularly during information sessions. We've organized them by when they typically arise in the learning journey.

Before Starting

Do I need programming experience to begin?
No prior coding experience is required. About 40% of our students start with zero programming background. The first month covers fundamentals at a pace that works for complete beginners. Students with existing skills can test into accelerated tracks.
What equipment do I need?
A Mac computer running macOS 12 or newer is essential since we develop for iOS. You'll also need an iPhone or iPad for testing, though we have devices available for classroom use if needed. A stable internet connection is required for online sessions.

During the Program

How much time should I expect to spend each week?
Plan for 15-20 hours weekly including live sessions, project work, and independent study. Some weeks require more time during project deadlines. The schedule is designed for people with other commitments, and recorded sessions are available if you miss a live class.
What happens if I fall behind?
Our adaptive system adjusts to your pace within reasonable limits. If you're struggling with specific concepts, mentors provide additional support and resources. Students can extend their program by up to three months if needed, though most complete within the standard timeframe.

After Completion

What kind of support do you provide for portfolio development?
The final quarter includes portfolio review sessions where instructors help you select and refine your best work. We provide feedback on project presentation, code documentation, and how to discuss your work in interviews. Alumni maintain access to our feedback channels for ongoing portfolio updates.
Do you help with job placement?
We don't promise job placement, but we do offer career support. This includes interview preparation, resume reviews, and introductions to studios in our network when appropriate. Many of our alumni have found positions through connections made during the program, though individual outcomes vary based on market conditions and personal effort.

Ready to Start Building Games?

Our next cohort begins in September 2025. Application review starts in June, and we're accepting portfolios now for early consideration.

Get Application Details