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Click to RSVP

Applications Open for Next Cohort:
Sep 29 - Dec 19

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 professional game studios, mentored by principal-level engineers.

Apply Now

Deadline: Sep 21

Deadline: Sep 21

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 is a selective program that offers students and career switchers the unique opportunity to work on real game projects from beloved studios—not hypothetical exercises. Through mentorship, office hours, code reviews, weekly syncs, and guest lectures, it provides a structured, professional game development environment focused on growth and industry readiness.

"Games are the ultimate combination of art and science"

- Will Wright, creator of The Sims

Mentors

Siobhan Beeman

Former Principal Engineer, Harebrained Schemes
(developer of BattleTech)

Former Principal Engineer, NantGames

Former Senior Lecturer, DigiPen Institute of Technology

Zak Whaley

Chair, International Game Developers Association

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

Former Lead Software Engineer, Magic Leap

Past guest lecturers

Projects

Serenity Forge is a video game development and publishing studio based in Boulder, Colorado. Established in 2014, the company partners with developers and publishers worldwide to create and share impactful, meaningful games. Its publishing portfolio includes acclaimed titles such as Doki Doki Literature Club, To The Moon, and Slay the Princess.

Gameplay Prototyping Externship

Help shape the soul of a fast-paced, horror-themed mountain biking game in pre-production. You’ll expand on early prototypes to refine core gameplay, responsive movement, dynamic cameras, horror mechanics, and atmospheric effects. The focus: tight, replayable loops and terrifying moments built on simple controls. You’ll have plenty of creative freedom to explore bold ideas and define the tone before full production begins.

Unity

PC

Git / Bitbucket

Gameplay Mechanics

Game Porting Externship

Help bring one of the most emotionally resonant indie game franchises to consoles. In this project, you’ll use proprietary tools to port a To The Moon series title from RPG Maker to Unity, fix bugs, and implement quality-of-life improvements for a new generation of players. You’ll work to ensure the game stays true to its original vision while adapting seamlessly to modern platforms.

Unity

PC

Git / Bitbucket

Porting

RPG Maker

Schedule

The program begins with onboarding, where you’ll get an overview of the project, set up essential tools (Unity, IDE, GitBucket), learn professional workflow, code review, and feedback practices. From there, you'll move into a steady rhythm of weekly team syncs, mentor office hours, and studio office hours, with additional opportunities to sit in on internal studio meetings. We'll host 3 guest lectures from industry veterans to provide you practical insights into game development. Ongoing collaboration happens in a shared Discord server.

How it works

$1299

(USD) fee per person

01

Submit your application

We're accepting 8 externs for this cohort. After submitting your application, expect to hear back within 1-2 weeks if you're selected for an interview.

02

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.

03

Get started

Once accepted, you’ll be invited to the server and get started!

Apply Now

Deadline: Sep 21

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 beloved small to medium-sized studios, 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 fit around your schedule, this part-time, fully remote program expects just 10-20 hours of commitment per week. But as with anything worthwhile, what you put in is what you’ll get out.

What past externs have to say

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.

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 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.

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 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 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.

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 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 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.

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 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.

Build your future

Apply Now