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IGP Vision

IGP VISION

Overview

IGP trains students to master the full process of video game production, from concept to release. Our goal is to develop game creators with a holistic perspective on game development, who are both technically skilled and capable of bringing a commercially viable product to market. By the end of the curriculum, we aim to inspire graduates to launch their own game studios.

While fostering independent game developers is our primary focus, the program also prepares graduates to work at established game companies. Whereas many professionals are trained as specialists, our versatile, holistic approach, emphasizing both hard and soft skills, ensures that graduates stand out in the job market with a multidisciplinary profile that meets the diverse demands of the industry.

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Curriculum Structure

To achieve this holistic yet focused approach and avoid producing "jacks of all trades, masters of none," IGP is structured around four core domains. Each of these areas also represents a unique USP within the broader DAE curriculum. These domains are taught through four distinct learning lines:

Game Design Learning Line Focuses on applying design principles to video games through established theoretical frameworks. Students are expected to bring their designs to life through iterative prototyping.

Art Learning Line Students learn how to develop game art and implement it efficiently into game engines. They consider performance and ensure that the art is implemented in a technically sound way so professional artists can refine it later. By the end of this learning line, students must be able to organize and manage a game’s art pipeline.

Development Learning Line Offers core skills for writing clean and efficient code for video games. Students must be able to turn their designs into fully functioning gameplay. This is done primarily using the Unity engine, the most common tool among indie developers.

Production Learning Line Teaches the essentials of setting up, managing, and maintaining a game production. This learning line consists of three overlapping components:

Business: An overview of how game companies are founded and financed, including various funding models. It also covers the basics of the video game market to give students insight into market structure and how to build a successful game business.

Communication: Focuses on developing soft skills and effective communication techniques for professional clarity. It also covers portfolio building and the basics of marketing so students can position themselves effectively in the industry.

Production: Teaches how to be an efficient team manager in a game company. Students learn how to organize team meetings and gain knowledge of various management methods and tools to plan, monitor, and manage game productions effectively. This allows them to lead teams efficiently and complete projects on time and within budget.

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Industry Connection

These four learning lines are continuously refined based on industry research and feedback. We have organized advisory boards and interviewed experienced indie game developers to identify gaps in our curriculum and gain deeper insight into real-world challenges. This feedback has helped us prioritize and strengthen our educational approach.

In addition to industry boards, Flanders Game Hub (FGH), a Flemish government initiative, plays a crucial role in supporting our program by offering regular access to industry expertise. FGH organizes monthly lectures where professionals share their knowledge on creating successful games, giving students new insights into the business side of game development. FGH also visits our campus regularly to provide students with personal feedback and guidance, helping them prepare for the commercial realities of the industry.

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Future-Proof Skills

By focusing our curriculum on developing products that meet consumer needs, IGP is less vulnerable to disruptive technological shifts such as the rise of AI. Ultimately, the end product, the game itself, is what matters most to consumers, not whether the latest tools were used to create it. That is why we view new technologies that reshape development processes as opportunities rather than threats.

We also regard Game Design as the most essential learning line within the IGP curriculum, not only because of its impact on the final product but also because it is one of the hardest areas to automate. It requires constant human feedback and iteration, processes deeply connected to emotion and experience. This focus ensures that our students develop flexible, future-proof skills that will remain relevant as the industry evolves.

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IndieShip

In collaboration with Flanders Game Hub, we also offer the IndieShip program. This functions as an internship opportunity for students who want to start their own indie game company. Under expert guidance, students work for four months on developing a business plan for their game while experimenting with various concepts and team structures. The internship not only provides a strong launchpad for entrepreneurial students, but also yields valuable feedback on the quality of our graduates, helping us continuously refine the curriculum based on the outcomes we observe.

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After IGP

We aim to offer graduates several post-graduation pathways that align with their personal situations and ambitions. These typically fall into four main categories:

Startup School – Microdegree The Startup School program, an initiative by Howest, supports students for one year as they start their own company. During this time, students can follow existing Howest modules to deepen their knowledge of entrepreneurship. Though the collaboration is still evolving, the program has already proven popular among new alumni, especially thanks to the additional support we provide in selecting the right modules. It is the natural continuation for students who completed IndieShip.

Master's Program Graduates can choose to further their academic knowledge by pursuing an advanced degree. This allows for deeper research into topics that may enhance their future careers.

Work Experience Students may choose to apply their skills directly in a professional environment. This provides valuable on-the-job experience and helps strengthen their expertise in a hands-on setting.

Starting a Game Company Graduates ready to launch immediately can apply their entrepreneurial skills to start a business or operate independently. This enables them to bring their ideas to life and gain firsthand experience in building and managing a company.

We are committed to lowering the barriers to entrepreneurship by offering a range of post-graduation options. Ultimately, IGP aims to help create new game studios that grow to employ others, contributing to a thriving Belgian game industry.

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The Ideal Flow for an Entrepreneurial IGP Student

Group Projects Pitch your game idea and develop it as a team.

Learn collaboration and team dynamics

Discover whether your idea has potential

A polished prototype or technical foundation is a bonus

Main goal: build synergy with your team and carry it forward into future projects

IndieShip (Internship) A four-month internship that simulates starting your own game studio.

Intensive coaching and feedback

Evaluate your independence and team dynamics

Test your business concept in a realistic environment

Draft your first VAF funding application

Final advice: are you ready for the next step?

Startup School – Microdegree The official start of your business, combined with continued study.

Find an accountant

Develop your business plan

Explore funding options (e.g. VAF)

Executing Your Studio Vision

Launch your first game

Expand your studio

Work toward a sustainable position in the industry

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