We help game devs become indie founders
Indie Game Academy started in 2020 as an online school for game developers. Then the layoffs came. Junior hiring in games collapsed, while indie studios kept rising. So we changed our goal: from helping students get hired to helping them found their own studios. We call it the Age of Indie.
Our mission is to decentralize game development, so more creators can launch their own studios and projects and build a fairer, more sustainable industry.
- 4.97/5average rating on Course Report
- 1,000+core-program graduates
- 40 of 42Level 3 games launched
- 50Kfollowers across our channels
How we teach
Joy, impact, kindness and celebration. And a little lore.
Live, always
Classes happen live in our Discord with professors who ship games. You can ask, share your screen and get unstuck the same day.
Fun first
Students are sorted into Houses (Cleric, Ranger, Warrior, Rogue) and compete for the House Cup. Learning sticks better when it's a game.
Gamedev therapy, and accountability
We cheer you on through the hard parts. We also make sure you launch a dang game.
The founding team
Willem Delventhal
10+ years in games (Paradox, Meta, IMVU). Teaches most Level 3 sessions. On the Guildhall podcast he's the Wizard of Games.
Jessica Rowley
Former Events and Program Director at Global Game Jam.
Ulises Rubino
Built one of Venezuela's top game dev blogs and led marketing at 4Geeks Academy.
Our values
What we believe in, expect of our team and the people we work with, and work to bring to the world.
Games are for everyone
We're pro LGBTQ+ and non-binary people, pro diversity and inclusion, and pro women's rights. The game industry hasn't been equal for all, and we actively work to change that.
No hate, no harm
Zero tolerance for hate speech. Against violence that encourages harm in real life, and against predatory or manipulative monetization.
AI with consent
AI will be a common game dev tool, so we teach its thoughtful use. It should augment people, not replace them. Training data must be given with consent, and creators who consent should be paid fairly. AI use should be disclosed when hiring creative talent and in public releases.
Kindness in conflict
We welcome different opinions, handle conflict with patience, directly and quickly, and believe in restorative justice before punishment.
Safety first
Our community's safety comes before anything. If you ever feel unsafe, write to team@indiegameacademy.com.