First cohort launching in Winter 2025

Enough practice runs.
Work on real games

Enough practice runs.
Work on real games

Enough practice runs.
Work on real games

12-week part-time program to work remotely on real game studio projects, mentored by industry veterans.

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

What

RealXP Lab is an experimental program offering students a unique opportunity to work on real programming assignments sourced directly from indie game studios—not hypothetical exercises. Through mentorship-driven learning, 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 dev

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 developer. Otherwise, we ask that you give this opportunity to someone else.

02

You have a demonstrated strong interest in game dev

Whether it’s through completing rigorous online courses or creating a few simple games. This program 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 indie studios, we ensure you gain broader exposure and the chance to make a meaningful impact. 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 and mentors, 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.

How it works

$1500

per person

01

Join the waitlist

The first cohort will consist of 20–25 students in partnership with 2–3 indie 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 about whether 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

The team

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

FAQ

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 internship that I have to pay for?

This is not an internship–at least not in the traditional sense. It’s a project-based learning program offering a structured and professional game development experience. The fee covers access to industry mentors and a guided educational journey. The studios we partner with are often resource-constrained—both in terms of time and budget—to offer internships or provide meaningful training and support on their own. RealXP bridges this gap, offering a win-win for both students and studios.

How is this different from an apprenticeship?

RealXP 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.

Is this hybrid?

No, this is a fully remote program.

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 implementing a basic feature or fixing a set of bugs. 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 smaller 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. • 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.

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.

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 internship that I have to pay for?

This is not an internship–at least not in the traditional sense. It’s a project-based learning program offering a structured and professional game development experience. The fee covers access to industry mentors and a guided educational journey. The studios we partner with are often resource-constrained—both in terms of time and budget—to offer internships or provide meaningful training and support on their own. RealXP bridges this gap, offering a win-win for both students and studios.

How is this different from an apprenticeship?

RealXP 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.

Is this hybrid?

No, this is a fully remote program.

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 implementing a basic feature or fixing a set of bugs. 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 smaller 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. • 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.

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.

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 internship that I have to pay for?

This is not an internship–at least not in the traditional sense. It’s a project-based learning program offering a structured and professional game development experience. The fee covers access to industry mentors and a guided educational journey. The studios we partner with are often resource-constrained—both in terms of time and budget—to offer internships or provide meaningful training and support on their own. RealXP bridges this gap, offering a win-win for both students and studios.

How is this different from an apprenticeship?

RealXP 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.

Is this hybrid?

No, this is a fully remote program.

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 implementing a basic feature or fixing a set of bugs. 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 smaller 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. • 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.

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.