From the very first day, we had a packed programme throughout the week. One of the highlights was our visit to the National Museum of Science and Technology in Stockholm. I was fascinated by the old electronic devices, telephones and games consoles that were considered modern at the time, as well as other objects from around forty or fifty years ago. It was interesting to see how technology has changed over time.
Another unforgettable experience was the game development workshop on the final day. After a presentation and a theoretical discussion, which lasted about an hour or so, we worked in teams, and each team developed its own game. For the first time, I had to think about how to develop a game – including its objective, the rules, the design, the look and feel, and how it works. I’d never experienced anything like it before. The workshop made me realise that developing a game involves much more than just an idea; it also requires careful consideration of the structure, rules and functionality. I really enjoyed this experience.
The seminar made it clear to me that the games industry is much more than just playing video games. It combines creativity, academic study, specialised university courses and technological developments, including artificial intelligence. I also realised just how much thought and planning goes into developing games that appeal to and captivate people.
As a student at the University of Greifswald, I am already used to meeting international students from various countries. Nevertheless, this seminar offered me another valuable opportunity to meet people from different backgrounds and to exchange experiences and ideas. I was also delighted by the warm welcome we received from Södertörn University.
I am very glad that I applied for this seminar and had the opportunity to take part. It has broadened my horizons and given me an insight into a subject area about which I previously knew very little. I am grateful to the University of Greifswald and KreativEU for making this experience possible, and I would like to encourage other students to take advantage of similar opportunities.
Experience report by Mina Nashaat Ezzat Rafla