Applications close 30 Nov 2026

Build and release a game on Steam as one studio.

Studio Zero is a full-time postgraduate programme in game production at Universidade Lusófona, Lisbon. Fifteen to twenty-five people work as a single studio for ten months and develop one game from its initial concept through release and post-launch support.

Apply now See programme requirements
Studio Zero
  • 60 ECTS Postgraduate diploma, Universidade Lusófona
  • 18 Jan to 19 Nov 2027 Full-time, on campus, Monday to Friday
  • 4 roles Game design, art, programming, production
  • EU applicants Open to citizens of any EU member state
Applications close
30 November 2026
 

Registration is free. Interviews take place in December.

Start your application

Work as part of a game development studio.

The programme is aimed at people who already have some experience making games and want to develop their skills further by working as part of a larger production team.

Merit-based selection process

Roles are chosen based on merit, meaning that you should already have some knowledge when applying for your intended role.

One project for the whole team

Everyone works on the same game in their chosen role. The project uses shared deadlines, reviews, and production schedules.

The team grows independent

Staff guide the first weeks closely, then the team takes on more responsibility. Industry mentors provide feedback during key stages of production.

Choose Your Role

You apply for one primary role. You can name a second one if you also have relevant experience in it; we use that to balance the team. Your portfolio should show that you already have the skills required for your chosen role.

Role What you'll work on Portfolio examples

Game design

Systems, levels, narrative, economy, and UX.

Playable builds or prototypes, design documents, and a short explanation of your contribution to each project.

Art

Concept art, 2D and 3D assets, animation, VFX, and UI.

Finished in-engine work, examples of your workflow and, if possible, work from a released project.

Programming

Gameplay, tools, engine features, and build systems.

Code repositories, playable builds, and a short explanation of your work.

Production

Scope, schedules, pipelines, and coordination across the team.

Projects you helped complete, how you planned them, and how you handled problems during development.

Programme Timeline

The programme follows a full game production cycle. Dates are provisional and will be confirmed with the cohort.

  1. January

    Pre-production

    The programme starts with two weeks of non-competitive game jams, followed by pitches to an academic panel. The final project brief is developed with the cohort.

  2. February to July

    Production

    Weekly sprints: planning on Monday, daily stand-ups, an integration check late in the week, and a review and retrospective on Friday.

  3. August

    Óbidos Summer School

    Two weeks at Parque Tecnológico de Óbidos, hosted by the municipality.

  4. Late summer

    Release on Steam

    The team prepares the Steam page, trailer, and press materials before release. The game is released for free with no microtransactions.

  5. Sept to Nov

    Post-launch

    After release, the team works on patches, player feedback, community support, and a post-mortem.

  6. 19 November

    Studio closes

    By the end of the programme, you will have worked on a released title and gained ten months of production experience.

Industry Mentors

Industry mentors work with the cohort every week, and external mentors review the game at key stages of development.

Studio Zero is supported by the following studios and partners:

The Application Process

Create an account, choose your role, and submit your portfolio. You can save your application and return to it later. There is no application fee.

  1. Register

    Create an account through the Lusófona portal. Once registered, find the "Studio Zero" Post-Graduate Programme under Open Courses in the Admissions menu to start your application.

  2. Prepare your application

    Your application should include: ID, relevant CV, relevant diplomas or certifications, a cover letter, and a portfolio document.

  3. Cover letter & motivation

    Your cover letter should state the main role you are applying for, as well as a secondary role if applicable, and briefly explain why you want to join Studio Zero.

  4. Portfolio

    Include a document with links to your relevant work. This may include ArtStation, Git repositories, games on itch.io or Steam, reference letters, and other relevant material.

Requirements

  • Full-time attendance on campus in Lisbon, Monday to Friday, 18 January to 19 November 2027. No part-time or remote option.
  • One primary role for the whole year. Roles are assigned to balance the studio, not to rank applicants.
  • A completed bachelor's degree or equivalent in games or a related field, or a strong portfolio showing relevant experience.
  • Citizenship of an EU member state. This is the only geographic restriction in the pilot year.
  • Monthly Tuition: 425€ x 11 + Registration Fees. Note: Application has no associated fee.

What the programme includes

  • A postgraduate diploma worth 60 ECTS from Universidade Lusófona.
  • A game released on Steam with your name in the credits.
  • A contractual ownership share in the game you produce. If there is interest in acquiring the game, the university negotiates on behalf of the cohort.
  • Mentoring and milestone reviews from industry professionals, plus a final showcase.
  • A two-week Summer School in Óbidos.
Apply before 30 November

Interviews run in December. You will have an answer before the end of the year. The programme runs if at least fifteen people are admitted across the four roles.