[Non-CUNY & Recent Grads] Highest Awards Program - Studio Track 26/27

Join EGD's playfully professional games industry career prep program, with no prior experience required! EGD is a one-of-a-kind leadership development experience that prepares and propels students into STEM and arts careers within the games industry—or wherever else they want to go.
This is an in-person, unpaid, 100% free, potentially college credit-bearing program based out of Harlem, open to all current college students and recent graduates that can make the commute. There is no remote option for anyone located within a 25 mile radius of City College. [That radius generally includes all 5 boroughs, Nassau County, south of Ossining NY, and east of Parsippany NJ]

This program requires an average of 6 hours per week during both the fall and spring semesters, which includes 1 night a week in-person at the City College of New York.

No prior game development experience is required, but students must enter with an intended concentration and transferable skills they are ready to apply day one of the project. Seats are limited and placement is competitive.

Freshmen (and anyone undecided on their discipline) should consider pursuing the EXP award, which feeds into our highest awards. EGD offers alternative programs to help you grow before committing to the Studio. Find out how to become an EGD member on our website.

One Year Tyro Award:
Tyro marks a participants' successful entry into a large-scale studio environment and focuses on exploration of self, skills, and career direction. Tyros learn the games production pipeline, communication norms, and how collaborative development operates within a 40+ person team.
Two Year Practitioner Award:
Participants move beyond participation into active ownership of their work and their team’s success. Practitioners take on leadership, coordination, or specialist roles, manage constraints, and learn to manage conflict.

Three Year Fellowship:
Fellowship is EGD’s highest honor and emphasizes innovation, mentorship, and long-term impact. Fellows graduate with experience that goes beyond a typical entry-level profile and are prepared to compete for early-career roles that often ask for prior professional experience.

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Participants pursuing EGD’s highest awards receive one-on-one academic and career advising, support with internship and graduate school applications, portfolio reviews, and eligibility to register the program as internship or independent study credits depending on enrollment status and their home program requirements.

Participants also enjoy all of the benefits of our regular members, including access to our 100+ textbook library, 600+ game library, study groups and tutoring for relevant classes, discounts on software and industry event tickets, mental health and crisis support resources, and more.

Required Availability:

• Available for 3.5 hours, Fridays between 3:00PM-9:00PM ET for both Fall and Spring semesters.

  • There are 4 sections, 3:00-6:30, 4:00-7:30, 4:30-8:00, and 5:30-9:00. Section placement is determined by your skill level and discipline. Accommodations for section placement are only granted in the following circumstances: religious observance, documented disability, a 9–5 work schedule, parenting responsibilities, or a scheduling conflict with a required major course that is offered only at a conflicting time.

• 2 specific weekends will be required in the spring semester (Global Game Jam & Waffle Games).

• There is a required trip component that will be discussed during the interview.

• We will observe winter break.

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Real talk:

Our program is relatively new, and we're just starting to see the results. Our first students who were with us for all four years of their bachelor's degrees graduated in 2022. Despite this, we've had students receive internship and job offers from companies like Riot, Activision Blizzard, Roblox, IBM, and many more. Additionally, some of our students are engaged in exciting activities such as designing games for the government, broadcasting for the LCS, UX design at LinkedIn, and working in game-focused museum exhibits. We've also had students win awards and monetary prizes for the games they've developed. As a free program that accepts everyone regardless of skill level, outcomes can vary. However, we can say that every motivated student who showed up and put in the work found opportunities that fit them! Sounds good? Join up!
Questions? Email [email protected]