Level 1: Embark

I recently completed IGA Level 1, and I have to say, it was an amazing experience! From the first day, I felt completely immersed, and by the time it ended, I genuinely didn’t want it to. It made me feel like a kid again, rediscovering the excitement of creating and learning alongside passionate people.One of the highlights was definitely the community. I met some great people, and I truly hope these friendships last beyond the course. There’s a real sense of camaraderie among students, and that makes the whole experience even more rewarding.As for the teachers, they are magnificent, knowledgeable, supportive, and genuinely invested in helping students succeed. They know how to keep things engaging while making sure everyone is on the same page, which is crucial in a beginner-friendly setting.Working in Unity was a great way to put everything into practice. However, when it came to artistic development, I felt that the course could have delved a little deeper into best practices, do’s and don’ts, or overall guidelines for a stronger artistic foundation. That said, I can see how this was likely a deliberate choice to avoid overwhelming beginners.Overall, IGA Level 1 is an excellent starting point for anyone looking to get into game development. The structure is solid, the atmosphere is inspiring, and the people you meet along the way make it all the more worthwhile. If you’re considering it, go for it you won’t regret it!

I've participated in two Level 1 classes over the course of 2024 and it's genuinely such a delight to be a part of the classroom. The energy is enthusiastic and joyful, the team meeting place (Gather) is an absolute BLAST, and I've learned so, so much more about the game design/development industry. The knowledge about the comings and goings of the industry is up-to-date, and there's a plethora of knowledge to gain about various disciplines like visual art, narrative design, programming, game design, etc. There's even a section dedicated to resumes, portfolios, and networking! The instructors are people you can rely on for quality advice and connect with outside of the course as well. I already have a degree in animation (concentrated in game design) from a 4-year college and one course with IGA was basically the equivalent of that, which is mind-boggling. This course is excellent for those just starting in game dev, those looking to make a career change, and even those with lots of experience who need a refresher. I'm very proud to be a part of such a tight-knit and helpful community throughout my journey, and to have the opportunity to make a difference in others' lives with a helping hand. My only nitpicking critique is that the course is fast. It's essentially a speedrun of the aspects of game development. Later courses like Level 2 and Level 3 allow for more time and care on larger projects, but I also believe the swiftness of Level 1 helps students with releasing a game in spite of perfectionism. The discord server is at your disposal for communicating with staff and students alike, for recieving/giving help, and holding each other accountable with your projects (and participating in the many, many game dev-related events they host). I can vouch that joining Level 1 was the best thing I did for myself in regards to networking and strengthening my skills!

I found Indie Game Academy by chance on LinkedIn and I'm really glad it happened. I embarked on the first Level Bootcamp and it's a very detailed entry on how to approach the videogame industry and specially how to manage the skills to do it. I can't recommend this course enough. I want to do the other levels pretty soon. 

I recently participated in the Indie Game Academy Level One bootcamp, and it was an incredible experience from start to finish. The instructors were not only knowledgeable but also genuinely passionate about game development. They were always ready to help, whether it was diving into complex topics or guiding us through the nuances of game design. Even though I’ve spent years playing games, I was a complete beginner when it came to Unity, the software we used throughout the bootcamp. The instructors made the learning curve manageable, and I came away feeling confident in my new skills.The format of the bootcamp was another highlight. Spread over two days during a single weekend, it was intense but entirely worth it. The Gather space where we met added a layer of immersion and fun, making the entire experience feel more like a collaborative adventure than a traditional class. Willem, the host, brought great energy and humor to the sessions, which kept things lively and engaging.One of the best new additions to the bootcamp was the chance to contribute to a Collection, which is now available on Itch.io. It’s incredibly cool to have a game we made during the bootcamp online for everyone to see. This not only gave us great exposure but also allowed us to apply what we were learning in a practical, creative way and see how our work fit into the broader game development process.Overall, the bootcamp was an excellent introduction to game development, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to break into the industry, especially if you’re coming in with more experience as a player than as a developer. The mix of hands-on learning, expert instruction, and the supportive community made it a standout experience.

The boot camp was two days full of fun and excitement as we learned the basics for making a 2D platformer in Unity! Not only that, we also got to engage with not just the instructors but also our fellow peers as we learned together about the various faces of the Game Development Industry such as: Game Design, Narrative Design, Production/Management, Resumes, Portfolios, and Networking. I came out at the end of the course with a playable level for 2D platformer, an expanded network of fellow devs of various levels, richer in knowledge, and far more motivated to pursue the art of game dev!I look forward to trying out more Level 1 courses from IGA and then hopefully also later moving up to Levels 2 and 3!

IGA completely changed my game dev journey. I am a graduate of both Level 1 and Level 2. Each course has different targets, methods, durations, etc., and both courses were very valuable. A cumulative 6 weeks of IGA classes did more for my abilities as a game dev than a year and a half of personal projects, game jams, and self-study. Instructors are generous with their time, flexible to different ability levels, and encouraging. I took Level 2 first, then circled back to Level 1 to use the class prompt as a foundation for a portfolio piece, and it turned out better than I expected. I would take either class again, and may take another Level 1 this year as another portfolio exercise. I do think it is a great way to get started for anyone who wants their first hands on experience, and who wants to feel enabled/empowered to make cool games!

It was very informative, it tought me plenty about the game industry, on top of getting the ball rolling for me to learn some game development as well. The course was worth every penny! I hope i get the schollarship to do the other courses lol, the staff are fun people.

This course was extremely helpful in giving me the tools and motivation to start designing games. In only 8 hours, I went from knowing almost nothing about game development to feeling like I could start an indie studio today and having a vertical slice to add to a portfolio. Lecturers were all subject matter experts, and Kristi, Dylan, and Christina made especially strong impressions. Highly recommend for anyone who feels "I don't know where to start."

IGA Level 1 was so much fun. I joined Level 1 to network and meet others.  There were many students there of varying experiences from all walks of life. The staff there was incredible. They had very well organized presentation that were very easy to follow and they were able to answer questions as they were able to. they also made the whole community feel very open and friendly. this made it easy for all of use to interact, ask questions , and over all enjoy the company of others. There is a good mix of friendly competition and comradery. would recommend for any skill level. 

In my opinion, anyone who is looking to get into game industry but they are overwhelmed by all the aspects of it and just the layout of the engine. I would recommend this course to them. In this course, they build up your confidence, they try to make the engine less scary through workshop, they share so much learning resources and career paths. Also the environment of the class room was so constructive and friendly I had a great time there. If you want to start making games and don't know how, consider doing this course, and in no time you'll be making your own simple games.

I don't think I've ever learned so much in 8 hours, and I took college classes on some of this stuff. This course goes over each job path in game dev and walks you through building a complete game level. I've tried making games from scratch before but it all becomes so overwhelming, especially if you're trying to do everything solo. Now I know a little bit more about the areas that were unknown to me (narrative, production) and most importantly, I learned to just make games! The first few you make are going to be bad so get those out of the way quickly so you can move on to the better ones with the skills you learn.Everyone (the instructors, the classmates) were incredibly nice and patient and I would recommend this course to anyone. 

This class was so amazing! So helpful! And so much fun! I'm working towards being a game writer, so Gadot was not on my radar as something I should learn, but I'm so glad I did! I now have a basic understanding of how to make a 3D game so my portfolio doesn't have to be filled with text-based games. The instructors were so knowledgeable and I'm really happy I got to ask questions and learn all that I can from them. The other students really made the class, too. They were all so welcoming and knowledgeable in different fields so it was really cool to work with them in a way that highlighted all our different skills. If you can I highly recommend you take this class if you're looking to learn more about game development and the gaming industry. 

IGA is one of the best groups I've seen for growing your skills as a game dev. Where as most courses and bootcamps have a certain curriculum they follow and leave you at that, IGA is the most personal, self aware, and is one of the only groups I've seen that consistently is trying to improve itself to help it's members get jobs in the industry. It is one of the best places to network, learn and grow your confidence as a new game dev, and have a like minded community cheering you on. While the courses may not be perfect, I don't regret a dollar I spent with them or any second I spent in one of their courses or in a community event. Even if you don't want to pay for a course still join the community as they host many free classes and events that are great to attend. Also the podcast they host is always a fun time to chime in and ask some questions. Couldn't recommend joining IGA to anyone interested in becoming a game dev anymore.

I have taken two free short classes through the Indie Game Academy and last weekend I took their level 1 bootcamp. Their instructors are legitimate industry professionals who are kind, knowledgeable, and supportive. The classes are well-structured, provide students with everything needed to learn and participate and the "Headmaster" is such a positive person/influence. They foster a fun and supportive environment where everyone feels welcome regardless of their current knowledge level. Highly recommended.

This course is more than just creating a simple game. It's a window into the game industry with experts explaining various fields like level design, narrative crafting, and UI design. Learning Unity at my own pace, I crafted a 2D Tower Defense game, facilitated by the convenience of recorded sessions. The exclusive game scripts created by Dylan were a plus. The class environment was fun, and the friendly Discord community felt like a supportive place. I totally recommend this course to anyone, no matter your age, gender, or nationality. You'll definitely feel welcome!

I had so much fun and learned a lot in this bootcamp. I went into this knowing absolutely nothing about game dev, but thanks to Willem and all of the amazing instructors, I feel like I have an understanding of the terminology, the basics of unity, and got to create my first 2D game in one weekend! 10/10 recommend! 

This was an amazing entry experience to the video game industry! We learned from professionals currently in the field and even gave us some inside secrets. I learned a ton & cannot wait for Level 2!

 From the moment I stepped into the virtual realm of Indie Game Academy, I knew I was in for a treat! Having attended two Level 0 workshops, I was already getting those 8-bit tingles of excitement. But oh boy, the Level 1 weekend workshop? It was like leveling up in real life! 🚀
Crafting a tower defense game from scratch might sound daunting to some, but with the fantastic and approachable guidance of Dylan, it felt like a breeze. Not only are they a treasure trove of knowledge, but they also have this magical ability to make complex game mechanics sound as simple as a game of Pong. Their passion is infectious, and their expertise? Unparalleled!
But wait, there's more! The IGA's Discord community is like the cherry on top of this pixelated sundae. It's a buzzing hive of creativity, where ideas bounce around like they're in a pinball machine. Collaborating with fellow indie game enthusiasts, sharing a laugh, and diving deep into game design discussions? It's all in a day's work here.
In a nutshell, Indie Game Academy isn't just about fun and games (though there's plenty of that!). It's an interactive, informative, and downright inspiring journey into the world of indie game development. Kudos to the professors and the vibrant community for making this experience a critical hit! 🌈🕹️
Here's to many more levels of learning and gaming! 🍻