Business Dev sprint

Setting Up Your Indie Studio with Rami Ismail 

Set clear steps for your indie studio journey with Rami Ismail, co-founder of the influential Dutch indie studio Vlambeer, best known for Super Crate Box, Ridiculous Fishing, and Nuclear Throne, and an award-winning mentor to game developers worldwide.

In this course, you’ll build a step-by-step action plan to make your indie studio pitch-ready for publishers and funding opportunities. Covering everything from pitching and prototyping to project planning and defining your studio’s unique vision, you’ll gain hands-on guidance and practical exercises to craft a compelling game pitch, structure your production process, and establish a strong foundation. Join today to develop a clear roadmap with an industry expert, turning your ideas into a strategic path to success.
  • Pitch-ready for funding
  • Strategic project planning 
  • Effective production process design
  • Defined studio vision and goals

Join us today 

Join us today

Join us today

Join us today

Join us today

Join us today

Join us today

3-21, FEB 2025
6-8 PM

*UK Local Time (GMT)
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*All Sprint Courses Have Limited Spaces

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THE SPRINT BRIEF 

develop a comprehensive action plan and pitch 
All Sprints focus on industry-relevant briefs to help you build hands-on skills. In this Sprint, you'll develop a comprehensive action plan and pitch deck for your indie game studio. This includes defining the studio's unique vision and goals, outlining a production roadmap, creating a prototype or vertical slice of your game concept, and structuring a compelling pitch to attract funding or publisher interest.

WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?

This course is designed for developers working on active indie projects, particularly those in early (pre-)production for a current or future project It’s also ideal for those part of an indie team who are either setting up a new studio or refining an existing one, providing essential skills in business, legal, and resource management to build a strong studio foundation

We welcome individuals from across the world, this course offers valuable strategies, practical exercises, and expert insights to support both new and established indie teams in creating a successful path forward.

If you are not sure if this is for you, please contact us.

For those with Active Indie Projects

To fully participate, you should be leading or part of an indie team with a game or IP under development. This course is designed for those working on game projects in active development, particularly those in early (pre-)production for a current or future project 

Indie Teams Preparing for Studio Success

Whether you’re setting up a new studio or refining an existing one, gain essential skills in business, legal, and resource management to strengthen your studio’s foundation.

  This course does not include software training. When creating your documents, such as pitch decks and business plans, please use the word processing tools you are most comfortable with.  

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From Rami's Portfolio

Rami has worked on games like Ridiculous Fishing, Super Crate Box, Luftrausers, and Nuclear Throne, created the essential indie promotion tool presskit(), and is an award-winning consultant and mentor supporting game creators worldwide.

Check out Ramiismail.com for more !
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The Sprint Experience

Highlights from how we run our Sprint Courses. 

The outcome of this course is a comprehensive action plan for your indie studio, including a polished pitch deck, a structured production roadmap, and a clear vision that prepares you for funding and publishing opportunities.

Real Time Instruction

Fully live remote course with real-time instruction
(no pre-recorded content)

Industry Professional Led

Collaborate closely with a  top game industry professionals to gain insights into industry standards and trends

Portfolio Project

Create a tangible portfolio piece to showcase your game development skills and impress potential employers

Level Up Skills

Bridge skill gaps, refine abilities and maintain an edge over competitors

Guided Progress

Experience personal accountability with regular progress checks, Q&As and feedback

Coordinator & Peer Support

 Learn and network with like-minded peers, facilitated by an Into Games team member 

What You Get! 

As mentioned by the end of 3 weeks you should have a comprehensive action plan for your indie studio, including a polished pitch deck, a structured production roadmap, and a clear vision that prepares you for funding and publishing opportunities. Here's the bonus: 

01

ACCESS TO INDUSTRY LEGEND

Get face time with Rami Ismail, a highly respected industry veteran, in an intimate setting rarely accessible to indie developers. This course gives you the  opportunity to ask questions, receive direct feedback, and make a personal connection with Rami, which can be invaluable if you see him out in the wild at game events

02

FUTURE PROOFED TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

Investing in this course means investing in your long-term success, not only for your indie studio but also in developing key entrepreneurial skills. Learn essential business, leadership, and communication skills that apply across industries, strengthening your ability to navigate challenges in any professional setting.

03

AN INDIE POWERED NETWORK

Connect with other developers on the same journey, building relationships that can open doors and provide insights specific to your field. Networking with peers who understand your challenges and goals helps build social capital and offers perspectives that will support you throughout your career.

04

PRACTICE PLAYGROUND 

Use this course as a “practice pitch playground” where you can refine your presentation before approaching publishers or investors. Testing your pitch with an informed audience helps identify gaps and ensure clarity, so you’re prepared to make a strong impression when it counts, whether at GDC or other industry events.


05

FAST & FURIOUS

This is a 3-week online course, with all live real-time sessions taking place in the evenings from 6pm-8pm (UK local time). You can review the activity dates below. Participants can expect to invest about 10-15 hours per week on this course.
(Recordings available if you miss anything)

LEVEL UP TODAY! 

Into Games is a non-profit committed to making quality game development training affordable and accessible.
We offer bursaries and discounts for those from low-income backgrounds, so everyone has the chance to gain valuable experience.
Meet your sprint leader

Rami Ismail

Rami Ismail is a Dutch-Egyptian industry ambassador & independent games developer with over 20 titles across PC, console, web, and mobile. His development of tools like the industry-standard dopresskit.com, his prolific & popular public speaking, and highly-regarded consultancy and insights have helped shape industry opportunities for game communities & independent game developers of any kind, in any situation, and anywhere. His versatility and work resulted in him receiving a wide range of recognition, including the prestigious Game Developers Choice Ambassador Award, the IndieCade Gamechanger Award, and a Forbes 30 Under 30 nomination.
Patrick Jones - Course author

Back By Popular Demand!

"The course taught me things I didn't know I needed to know when starting my own studio. It's impactful, direct, and throws bucketloads of useful knowledge at you. I've already changed the way I interact with my team and have seen positive improvements brimming with excitement."
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
ASHRAF, INDIE STUDIO Sprint
"I really, really enjoyed it. I've been in the industry for 18 years, and presumed I'd only come away with one or two nuggets of wisdom but the course was packed. Lot of value here for those remaining in traditional studio systems or going indie. I enjoyed that the course was grounded in business and staying realistic."
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
MAZEN, INDIE STUDIO SPrint
"This is such a rewarding class, in just the first MINUTES of the FIRST CLASS I had already learned enough to make me reconsider how I approach game-making! Thank you Rami Ismail for sharing your expertise with us "
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
ADRIENNE, InDIE STUDIO Sprint
"This course was a delight to experience, reaffirming my beliefs about the industry while also providing fresh perspectives on the challenges I was fighting with. I would recommend it to anyone seeking valuable insights and growth."
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Vladimir, INDIE STUDIO Sprint
"This was probably the most value for money and life changing course I've done (and I've done a few). I'm much more confident on my journey and have a better idea what that path looks like. Absolutely recommending this sprint to everyone that wants to have/manage an indie studio. Loved it!"
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
JOANA, INDIE STUDIO  Sprint
"I found the information and masterclasses extremely helpful for my development as a games professional. Rami's course helped give me a clarity into the business of game dev that I will take on for the rest of my career. "
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
IVAN, INDIE STUDIO Sprint

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I get a certificate?

We award certificates based on overall engagement, not just attendance. It’s not about perfection! For example, if you missed a few live sessions but submit to the showcase, it will help balance your engagement points. Similarly, good attendance without all submissions can still lead to certification.

Certificates are password-locked and emailed to participants who have reasonably engaged. As an absolute minimum, participants should at least 50% of sessions.

I can't make all the dates - is this still for me?

While we recommend that you try to attend as many of the live and group sessions as possible, we understand that might not be possible. All sessions are recorded for participants, and you have 24-7 access to content and support for the duration of the Sprint. 

Is financial Aid or assistance available?

Yes, we have a variety of discounts and sponsored places on our courses. Please check out our affordability page for more information on criteria and application. Financial Aid is only available for UK residents.

Do you offer refunds?

Please read our refund policy here and contact our team for support. 

My question is not answered here 

Please contact sprints@intogames.org
We are a non-profit organisation that helps people, no matter their background, get access to rewarding roles in the games sector.

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