On February 16th, we welcomed ten ambitious students who started the Indieship program of Flanders Game Hub (FGH) and Howest Digital Entertainment (DAE).
Their goal? Figure out if they have what it takes to start their very own game company by feeling what it’s going to be like.
On a mission, and armed with boundless passion, enthusiasm, and a tiny bit of business experience, the cohort kicked off their journey the best way we know how: breaking the ice and meeting their fellow interns over a hearty breakfast.
Building your squad (harder than it looks!)
The first major task for our "Indieshippers" was to network, pitch their visions, and truly understand their peers.
The ultimate objective was to form cohesive teams based on complementary skills and shared visions. With a bit of strategic coaching, powerful new alliances were forged.
Main quest
Before the business plans were finalized, there were games to be made! The program hit the ground running with intense game jams to spark creativity and test team chemistry.
Two of those jam projects have officially made it to the web. Click the links below to support our interns and test your skills!
Games that were made:
Pinball Mania: Pinball Mania is an addictive pinball roguelike where every run grows more chaotic and rewarding. Upgrade your pegs, chain wild modifiers, and transform your machine into a profit-spewing pinball powerhouse. Play here
A-void (Gamejam game): You're an astronaut who got lost in space and needs to get back to his spaceship. Play here
Royal Rush (Gamejam game): Create your own path, chain perfect movement, and master the deck. Play here
Crismon Tower (Gamejam game): Survive Survive Survive.That's all that we know. It's all we have. They keep coming. There is no end but if I don't stop them my brothers above will be overburdened. I can hear them climbing the walls, sometimes they want me to look. I hear them banging on the windows that's the only time I refuse to look lest i look into their mesmerizing eyes. Play now!
Icy Feet (Microsoft Xbox Gamejam game): Hello dear mountaineers, its getting cold outside try to make your way up the mountain as fast as possible, to get back home. Play it here!
And many more!
But it wasn't all smooth sailing. Over the course of the program, it became clear that some students held wildly different creative visions, while others realized their true passions lay just outside the traditional gaming landscape. Navigating these professional pivots is all part of the startup journey!
Navigating these professional pivots is all part of the startup journey. That’s what Indieship is for.
From local to international stages
This internship isn’t just sitting behind a desk. It’s about integrating into the gaming ecosystem. From local Game Jams to attending conferences in Genk to network in Rotterdam.
INDIGO (Rotterdam): A fantastic opportunity for the cohort to showcase their potential and rub shoulders with prominent international industry leaders.
BUFF Festival (Genk): Organized by the talented students of Hogeschool PXL and organised at C-Crib. This event was packed with insightful industry talks and local networking.
Financial Mix (Antwerp): On March 17th, we flipped the script. We invited the industry to Antwerp for a "reverse-pitch" session, allowing investors and publishers to present themselves to the developers.
Microsoft Xbox Game Camp (Kortrijk): All the way from the US, the Xbox Game Camp team flew in for an intensive, week-long sprint. Participants had just three days to build a game from scratch. The best part? Our Indieshippers are now entering a follow-up program featuring intensive, direct coaching from the Xbox Game Camp team!
indieshippers also participated and for that, there’s a follow-up program with intensive coaching from the Microsoft Xbox Game Camp Team.
Online events & webinars
The teams were also invited for FGH Webinars. They got to attend the Status updates from FGH community members and got to ask questions to people already working in the field.
Best of all, they had a base. With dedicated workspaces at The Level (DAE) and Hangar K,
They were fully integrated into a thriving community of developers & entrepreneurs.
“I’m thinking of starting my own studio”
Does this quote resonate with you?
Whether you are an industry professional dreaming of launching your own studio, or a student eyeing the vibrant indie game scene, that itch to create something uniquely yours is hard to ignore.
Who is this program for
If you are a professional, an aspiring entrepreneur, or a student who wants to work within a thriving, creative community, then this is for you!
What to expect:
- Coaching from seasoned industry experts.
- Direct access to a broad, valuable network of peers and mentors.
- Meeting like-minded creatives & entrepreneurs who want to make it in the indie game scene
And yes, the program is completely free!
Indieship 2026 Aftermovie
Let your curiosity take over!
Calling all entrepreneurial-minded game makers accross all educational programs and professional background: contact info@flandersgamehub.be to get in touch and receive more information about our upcoming Indieship programs.
A Final Word to Our Captains...
To all 10 pirates who just wrapped up: thank you for attending our program! It has been an absolute blast, and we cannot wait to see the incredible things you will create in the future. 🏴☠️
