Game Innovation Lab
The Game Innovation Lab (GIL) is all about developing, researching, and playing games. It offers spaces for game jams, game nights, seminars, workshops, and research. As a student innovation lab and regional hub for the games industry, the GIL supports students and game studios with technical infrastructure, workshops, and coaching. Using XR and game technologies, it promotes creative work in agile teams and enables new game formats.
The Game Innovation Lab at a glance
The primary mission of the Game Innovation Lab is to network and integrate the resources for game development in Media Studies and Computer Science at the University of Bayreuth. The GIL aims to initiate, discuss, and promote creative and innovative developments so that students can enter their chosen industries with renewed inspiration after graduation, developing innovative ideas and initial prototypes into marketable products.
Teaching
By using agile working methods and modern design methods, the GIL supports an iterative and reflective production process, which is particularly important in the design and development of computer games.
Networking
Each semester, numerous speakers are invited to bridge the gap between industry and academia. The Games Industry series showcases individual professions, companies, or entire areas of expertise, giving interested parties an insight into the various branches of the games industry and fostering exchange.
Collaboration
Through close collaboration with external stakeholders, practical problems in the development of digital games are presented to students and regional game studios. This allows the GIL to respond promptly to current requirements from the games industry and support students and game studios in prototyping innovative solutions.
The primary mission of the Game Innovation Lab is to network and integrate the resources for game development in Media Studies and Computer Science at the University of Bayreuth. The GIL aims to initiate, discuss, and promote creative and innovative developments so that students can enter their chosen industries with renewed inspiration after graduation, developing innovative ideas and initial prototypes into marketable products.
Teaching
By using agile working methods and modern design methods, the GIL supports an iterative and reflective production process, which is particularly important in the design and development of computer games.
Networking
Each semester, numerous speakers are invited to bridge the gap between industry and academia. The Games Industry series showcases individual professions, companies, or entire areas of expertise, giving interested parties an insight into the various branches of the games industry and fostering exchange.
Collaboration
Through close collaboration with external stakeholders, practical problems in the development of digital games are presented to students and regional game studios. This allows the GIL to respond promptly to current requirements from the games industry and support students and game studios in prototyping innovative solutions.
Start-up Support
In cooperation with the Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (IEI), the Game Innovation Lab oKers comprehensive support for starting games companies in the region. Interested parties can contribute their game ideas and receive information on topics such as funding opportunities, financing strategies, and start-up models to help them turn their game idea into a successful and sustainable business.
Workshops
The Game Innovation Lab's LEGO Scrum workshops serve as a practical introduction to agile and iterative work in game development. In these workshops, participants not only learn the basic concepts and processes of Scrum, but also how to eKectively apply these methods in other work areas and processes. The practical focus of the workshop enables participants to directly apply the knowledge they have learned in practice.
Games Culture
The Game Innovation Lab is actively committed to promoting games culture in the region. Through events such as game jams and game nights, the GIL oKers a platform for collaborative gaming experiences and the exchange of ideas across various game genres. While the game nights focus on playing together and developing an understanding of diKerent game genres, the game jams allow participants to get involved and develop their own games in a creative and motivating environment.
Start-up Support
In cooperation with the Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (IEI), the Game Innovation Lab oKers comprehensive support for starting games companies in the region. Interested parties can contribute their game ideas and receive information on topics such as funding opportunities, financing strategies, and start-up models to help them turn their game idea into a successful and sustainable business.
Workshops
The Game Innovation Lab's LEGO Scrum workshops serve as a practical introduction to agile and iterative work in game development. In these workshops, participants not only learn the basic concepts and processes of Scrum, but also how to eKectively apply these methods in other work areas and processes. The practical focus of the workshop enables participants to directly apply the knowledge they have learned in practice.
Games Culture
The Game Innovation Lab is actively committed to promoting games culture in the region. Through events such as game jams and game nights, the GIL oKers a platform for collaborative gaming experiences and the exchange of ideas across various game genres. While the game nights focus on playing together and developing an understanding of diKerent game genres, the game jams allow participants to get involved and develop their own games in a creative and motivating environment.
The Game Innovation Lab oKers a specially designed creative space tailored to the needs of agile teams. Equipped with cutting-edge XR and game technology, the lab enables the conception and implementation of innovative game formats. Games are not only developed, but also researched and taught using innovative teaching methods.
Students and game studios have access to extensive, state-of-the-art equipment at GIL, providing ideal conditions for creative and technical projects:
- Extended reality technologies (HTC Vive, Playstation VR, Meta Quest)
- Extensive collection of both digital and analog games
- Various consoles (PS5, Xbox One, PS4, Game Cube, N64, Steam Deck, etc.)
- High-performance workstations including common game engines (Unity, Unreal, Godot)
- Video editing and production workstations
- AV studio
- Media technology equipment (cameras, lighting, sound equipment, etc.)
Unfortunately, the listed equipment cannot be rented externally. Analog and digital games can be tested on-site by arrangement.
The Game Innovation Lab oKers a specially designed creative space tailored to the needs of agile teams. Equipped with cutting-edge XR and game technology, the lab enables the conception and implementation of innovative game formats. Games are not only developed, but also researched and taught using innovative teaching methods.
Students and game studios have access to extensive, state-of-the-art equipment at GIL, providing ideal conditions for creative and technical projects:
- Extended reality technologies (HTC Vive, Playstation VR, Meta Quest)
- Extensive collection of both digital and analog games
- Various consoles (PS5, Xbox One, PS4, Game Cube, N64, Steam Deck, etc.)
- High-performance workstations including common game engines (Unity, Unreal, Godot)
- Video editing and production workstations
- AV studio
- Media technology equipment (cameras, lighting, sound equipment, etc.)
Unfortunately, the listed equipment cannot be rented externally. Analog and digital games can be tested on-site by arrangement.
The primary mission of the Game Innovation Lab is to network and integrate the resources for game development in Media Studies and Computer Science at the University of Bayreuth. The GIL aims to initiate, discuss, and promote creative and innovative developments so that students can enter their chosen industries with renewed inspiration after graduation, developing innovative ideas and initial prototypes into marketable products.
Teaching
By using agile working methods and modern design methods, the GIL supports an iterative and reflective production process, which is particularly important in the design and development of computer games.
Networking
Each semester, numerous speakers are invited to bridge the gap between industry and academia. The Games Industry series showcases individual professions, companies, or entire areas of expertise, giving interested parties an insight into the various branches of the games industry and fostering exchange.
Collaboration
Through close collaboration with external stakeholders, practical problems in the development of digital games are presented to students and regional game studios. This allows the GIL to respond promptly to current requirements from the games industry and support students and game studios in prototyping innovative solutions.
Start-up Support
In cooperation with the Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (IEI), the Game Innovation Lab oKers comprehensive support for starting games companies in the region. Interested parties can contribute their game ideas and receive information on topics such as funding opportunities, financing strategies, and start-up models to help them turn their game idea into a successful and sustainable business.
Workshops
The Game Innovation Lab's LEGO Scrum workshops serve as a practical introduction to agile and iterative work in game development. In these workshops, participants not only learn the basic concepts and processes of Scrum, but also how to eKectively apply these methods in other work areas and processes. The practical focus of the workshop enables participants to directly apply the knowledge they have learned in practice.
Games Culture
The Game Innovation Lab is actively committed to promoting games culture in the region. Through events such as game jams and game nights, the GIL oKers a platform for collaborative gaming experiences and the exchange of ideas across various game genres. While the game nights focus on playing together and developing an understanding of diKerent game genres, the game jams allow participants to get involved and develop their own games in a creative and motivating environment.
The Game Innovation Lab oKers a specially designed creative space tailored to the needs of agile teams. Equipped with cutting-edge XR and game technology, the lab enables the conception and implementation of innovative game formats. Games are not only developed, but also researched and taught using innovative teaching methods.
Students and game studios have access to extensive, state-of-the-art equipment at GIL, providing ideal conditions for creative and technical projects:
- Extended reality technologies (HTC Vive, Playstation VR, Meta Quest)
- Extensive collection of both digital and analog games
- Various consoles (PS5, Xbox One, PS4, Game Cube, N64, Steam Deck, etc.)
- High-performance workstations including common game engines (Unity, Unreal, Godot)
- Video editing and production workstations
- AV studio
- Media technology equipment (cameras, lighting, sound equipment, etc.)
Unfortunately, the listed equipment cannot be rented externally. Analog and digital games can be tested on-site by arrangement.
Let's work together
Salzsammler: Interactive Education through Immersive Technology
„Salzsammler“ is an innovative, interactive XR floor projection that allows children to immerse themselves in map worlds and discover cultural content in a playful way. The project was created as part of the "Games with a Purpose" course and was developed in close collaboration with the Regensburg World Heritage Visitor Center.
Course „Games with a Purpose“
In the "Games with a Purpose" course of the Master's program in Computer Game Science, students develop innovative, playful, and application-oriented solutions in cooperation with external partners. Development takes place within an agile and participatory design process in which various conceptual and prototype ideas are designed, tested, evaluated, and further developed.
Funding and Further Development
After completing the course, the team behind "Salzsammler" was able to secure funding from the FilmFernsehFonds Bayern (FFF Bayern) as part of the Prototype Games Funding program. This support enabled them to further develop the project beyond the initial prototype and bring it to market readiness.
We are here for you
Location
Game Innovation Lab
Haus 4, Raum 4.3.11.a
Nürnberger Straße 38, 95448 Bayreuth
Further information on Game Innovations
Contact
Laura Maldonado
Research assistant/internal network and events
Phone: +49 (0)921 / 55-4688
E-mail: laura.maldonado@uni-bayreuth.de
Leon Janßen
Research assistant/external network and events
Phone: +49 (0)921 / 55-4687
E-mail: leon.janssen@uni-bayreuth.de