First cohort launching in Spring 2025

Invest in your career.
Work on real games.

Invest in your career.
Work on real games.

Invest in your career.
Work on real games.

12-week part-time externship program to work remotely with real game studios, mentored by principle-level engineers.

The image featured at the top of the about us page #1
The image featured at the top of the about us page #1
The image featured at the top of the about us page #1
The image featured at the top of the about us page #2
The image featured at the top of the about us page #2
The image featured at the top of the about us page #2

Artwork by Arkhai and Grant Yun

What

RealXP Lab offers students a unique opportunity to work on real programming assignments from indie studios behind beloved games—not hypothetical exercises. Through mentorship, office hours, detailed code reviews, and weekly stand-ups, it provides a professional game development experience in a structured, supportive format focused on growth and industry readiness.

"Games are the ultimate combination of art and science"

- Will Wright, creator of The Sims

Who is eligible

01

You have not previously worked in the game industry as a programmer

It’s fine if you’re a software engineer at a tech company or have worked in the game industry in a role other than a programmer. Otherwise, we ask that you give this opportunity to someone else.

02

You have a demonstrated strong background in game development

Whether it’s through completing rigorous online courses or creating a few small games. This program is not for beginners and won’t cover game dev or programming fundamentals.

What you'll get

Practical skills & industry experience

Whether you’re professionals exploring a career shift into game dev or passionate individuals looking to pursue their dream, this program equips you with the hands-on skills and real-world experience needed to take the next step.

Portfolio-ready work

By partnering with small to medium-sized studios behind beloved games, we offer you the chance to gain broad exposure and make meaningful impacts. You’ll take ownership of tasks that showcase your abilities, not just work on scattered bug fixes.

Community & industry connection

Join a collaborative network of peers, mentors, and industry veterans, meeting like-minded people who share your passion for games. Build relationships that could open doors to future opportunities.

Part-time to fit your schedule

Designed to accommodate your commitments, this program is part-time and fully remote. Like anything worthwhile, the outcome depends on your effort—what you put in is what you’ll get out.

Mentors

Siobhan Beeman

Principle Engineer, Harebrained Schemes
(developer of BattleTech)

Senior Lecturer, DigiPen Institute of Technology

Zak Whaley

Chair, International Game Developers Association

Director of Engineering, PlayEveryWare
(collaborator on Among Us, Fall Guys)

Lead Software Engineer, Magic Leap

How it works

$1499

(USD) fee per person

01

Join the waitlist

The first cohort will consist of 20 students in partnership with 2 studios. Seats are very limited, so join the waitlist to be notified as soon as applications open.

02

Submit your application

You’ll be able to indicate your preferences for the studios or areas you’d like to work on as part of the application. Expect to hear back within 1–2 weeks if you’re selected for an interview.

03

Interview

Interviews will include a mix of technical and personality questions. It’s a chance to showcase your passion for game dev and demonstrate a solid foundation in programming.

04

Match with a studio and get started

Once accepted, you’ll be paired with a game studio and get started!

Join waitlist

Studios

We're finalizing our list of studio partners. Updates coming soon. Join the waitlist to be the first to know

FAQ

How is this different from an internship that I have to pay for?

This is not a traditional internship. It’s a project-based educational program designed to provide a structured, professional game development experience. Key differences: • Dedicated mentorship – You’ll be guided by top-caliber mentors whose sole focus is to support your growth, not by teammates balancing their own workload. • Comprehensive support – Access office hours, guest lectures, and a strong peer community. • Thoughtful assignments – Work on projects that emphasize learning and growth, not just random bug fixes. • Part-time format – Designed to fit your schedule. The studios we partner with often lack the time and budget to offer internships or provide meaningful training on their own. RealXP bridges this gap, creating a win-win for both students and studios. The fact that your work could make it into a real production game is just a bonus. Wouldn’t you rather create something with real impact instead of a hypothetical exercise no one will ever use?

How is this different from a certificate program, bootcamp, or skill course?

While many programs focus on taking you from 0 to 1, RealXP takes you from 1 to 2—working on real studio assignments to gain practical experience and building portfolio-ready work that reflects the challenges and responsibilities of a professional game developer.

How is this different from an apprenticeship?

RealXP Lab is a shorter, part-time alternative to traditional apprenticeships, designed to fit your schedule. While apprenticeships are typically employer-driven and focus on on-the-job training, this program prioritizes your growth through real-world experience, guided learning, and direct mentorship in just 12 weeks.

Do you offer scholarships?

Yes, we are committed to making our program accessible to passionate and talented individuals. For our inaugural cohort, we are offering a limited number of partial scholarships (e.g., 25%–50% of tuition) based on merit and need. These scholarships are designed to support exceptional candidates who may require financial assistance to participate. If you believe you qualify, let us know in your application, and we’ll consider your request.

Do participants need to quit their job or school?

No, this program is designed to be part-time and flexible, so you can balance it with your existing commitments. However, keep in mind that the more time and effort you invest, the more you’ll gain from the experience.

What exactly happens? What's the schedule like?

Here’s how the program is structured:

Week 1-3: • Connect with your mentor, fellow classmates, and assigned studio. • Get familiar with the studio’s codebase, tools, and project scope. • Start with a small, starter assignment to help you get up to speed with the studio’s workflow and expectations. This could involve fixing a simple bug or implementing a basic feature. Weeks 4–12: • Take on a larger, more substantial assignment, such as designing and developing a game system, optimizing a feature, or tackling a gameplay mechanic. • Depending on your progress and interests, you may also take on additional tasks. Throughout the program: • Participate in weekly stand-ups and office hours hosted by both mentors and studios. • Receive detailed code reviews to improve your skills and ensure high-quality work. • Attend guest lectures by industry veterans, gaining real-world insights. • Engage with your mentor and peers through Discord. We encourage peer programming and collaboration to enhance learning and teamwork.

How will I be assigned to which studio?

You’ll have the opportunity to indicate your preferences for the studios or areas you’d like to work on. We’ll do our best to match you based on your interests and skill set. Each studio offers incredible opportunities to gain real-world experience, so regardless of your placement, you’ll leave with valuable skills and portfolio-ready work.

Is this hybrid?

No, this is a fully remote program.

How is this different from an internship that I have to pay for?

This is not a traditional internship. It’s a project-based educational program designed to provide a structured, professional game development experience. Key differences: • Dedicated mentorship – You’ll be guided by top-caliber mentors whose sole focus is to support your growth, not by teammates balancing their own workload. • Comprehensive support – Access office hours, guest lectures, and a strong peer community. • Thoughtful assignments – Work on projects that emphasize learning and growth, not just random bug fixes. • Part-time format – Designed to fit your schedule. The studios we partner with often lack the time and budget to offer internships or provide meaningful training on their own. RealXP bridges this gap, creating a win-win for both students and studios. The fact that your work could make it into a real production game is just a bonus. Wouldn’t you rather create something with real impact instead of a hypothetical exercise no one will ever use?

How is this different from a certificate program, bootcamp, or skill course?

While many programs focus on taking you from 0 to 1, RealXP takes you from 1 to 2—working on real studio assignments to gain practical experience and building portfolio-ready work that reflects the challenges and responsibilities of a professional game developer.

How is this different from an apprenticeship?

RealXP Lab is a shorter, part-time alternative to traditional apprenticeships, designed to fit your schedule. While apprenticeships are typically employer-driven and focus on on-the-job training, this program prioritizes your growth through real-world experience, guided learning, and direct mentorship in just 12 weeks.

Do you offer scholarships?

Yes, we are committed to making our program accessible to passionate and talented individuals. For our inaugural cohort, we are offering a limited number of partial scholarships (e.g., 25%–50% of tuition) based on merit and need. These scholarships are designed to support exceptional candidates who may require financial assistance to participate. If you believe you qualify, let us know in your application, and we’ll consider your request.

Do participants need to quit their job or school?

No, this program is designed to be part-time and flexible, so you can balance it with your existing commitments. However, keep in mind that the more time and effort you invest, the more you’ll gain from the experience.

What exactly happens? What's the schedule like?

Here’s how the program is structured:

Week 1-3: • Connect with your mentor, fellow classmates, and assigned studio. • Get familiar with the studio’s codebase, tools, and project scope. • Start with a small, starter assignment to help you get up to speed with the studio’s workflow and expectations. This could involve fixing a simple bug or implementing a basic feature. Weeks 4–12: • Take on a larger, more substantial assignment, such as designing and developing a game system, optimizing a feature, or tackling a gameplay mechanic. • Depending on your progress and interests, you may also take on additional tasks. Throughout the program: • Participate in weekly stand-ups and office hours hosted by both mentors and studios. • Receive detailed code reviews to improve your skills and ensure high-quality work. • Attend guest lectures by industry veterans, gaining real-world insights. • Engage with your mentor and peers through Discord. We encourage peer programming and collaboration to enhance learning and teamwork.

How will I be assigned to which studio?

You’ll have the opportunity to indicate your preferences for the studios or areas you’d like to work on. We’ll do our best to match you based on your interests and skill set. Each studio offers incredible opportunities to gain real-world experience, so regardless of your placement, you’ll leave with valuable skills and portfolio-ready work.

Is this hybrid?

No, this is a fully remote program.

How is this different from an internship that I have to pay for?

This is not a traditional internship. It’s a project-based educational program designed to provide a structured, professional game development experience. Key differences: • Dedicated mentorship – You’ll be guided by top-caliber mentors whose sole focus is to support your growth, not by teammates balancing their own workload. • Comprehensive support – Access office hours, guest lectures, and a strong peer community. • Thoughtful assignments – Work on projects that emphasize learning and growth, not just random bug fixes. • Part-time format – Designed to fit your schedule. The studios we partner with often lack the time and budget to offer internships or provide meaningful training on their own. RealXP bridges this gap, creating a win-win for both students and studios. The fact that your work could make it into a real production game is just a bonus. Wouldn’t you rather create something with real impact instead of a hypothetical exercise no one will ever use?

How is this different from a certificate program, bootcamp, or skill course?

While many programs focus on taking you from 0 to 1, RealXP takes you from 1 to 2—working on real studio assignments to gain practical experience and building portfolio-ready work that reflects the challenges and responsibilities of a professional game developer.

How is this different from an apprenticeship?

RealXP Lab is a shorter, part-time alternative to traditional apprenticeships, designed to fit your schedule. While apprenticeships are typically employer-driven and focus on on-the-job training, this program prioritizes your growth through real-world experience, guided learning, and direct mentorship in just 12 weeks.

Do you offer scholarships?

Yes, we are committed to making our program accessible to passionate and talented individuals. For our inaugural cohort, we are offering a limited number of partial scholarships (e.g., 25%–50% of tuition) based on merit and need. These scholarships are designed to support exceptional candidates who may require financial assistance to participate. If you believe you qualify, let us know in your application, and we’ll consider your request.

Do participants need to quit their job or school?

No, this program is designed to be part-time and flexible, so you can balance it with your existing commitments. However, keep in mind that the more time and effort you invest, the more you’ll gain from the experience.

What exactly happens? What's the schedule like?

Here’s how the program is structured:

Week 1-3: • Connect with your mentor, fellow classmates, and assigned studio. • Get familiar with the studio’s codebase, tools, and project scope. • Start with a small, starter assignment to help you get up to speed with the studio’s workflow and expectations. This could involve fixing a simple bug or implementing a basic feature. Weeks 4–12: • Take on a larger, more substantial assignment, such as designing and developing a game system, optimizing a feature, or tackling a gameplay mechanic. • Depending on your progress and interests, you may also take on additional tasks. Throughout the program: • Participate in weekly stand-ups and office hours hosted by both mentors and studios. • Receive detailed code reviews to improve your skills and ensure high-quality work. • Attend guest lectures by industry veterans, gaining real-world insights. • Engage with your mentor and peers through Discord. We encourage peer programming and collaboration to enhance learning and teamwork.

How will I be assigned to which studio?

You’ll have the opportunity to indicate your preferences for the studios or areas you’d like to work on. We’ll do our best to match you based on your interests and skill set. Each studio offers incredible opportunities to gain real-world experience, so regardless of your placement, you’ll leave with valuable skills and portfolio-ready work.

Is this hybrid?

No, this is a fully remote program.

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