Development
Xsolla and partners empower the next generation of game developers at the Odlar Yurdu University GameDev Bootcamp
June 17, 2026•3 min
The games industry is one of the world’s fastest-growing creative sectors, and increasingly, its long-term strength depends on how effectively it invests in the next generation of talent. That idea was at the heart of the Odlar Yurdu University GameDev Bootcamp, a six-week initiative led by Xsolla in partnership with IGDA Azerbaijan Chapter and Odlar Yurdu University, with support from the Innovation and Digital Development Agency of Azerbaijan.
Designed as both an educational program and a production sprint, the bootcamp brought together students, mentors, and industry professionals to turn early-stage curiosity into practical game development experience.
Building access to the industry from the ground up
Over six weeks, more than 80 students took part in 18 hands-on workshops spanning Game Design, Game Development, and Game Art. Rather than focusing purely on theory, the program emphasized applied learning, giving participants direct exposure to the workflows, constraints, and creative decisions that define modern game production. For many students, it was their first structured introduction to how games are actually built - from core mechanics to visual identity and interactive storytelling.From learning to building real games
As the program progressed, learning quickly gave way to execution. 64 participants formed 13 teams, each tasked with developing a playable game concept from scratch. This transition - from workshop participants to game creators - was intentional. It reflects a broader belief within Xsolla that access to the games industry isn’t just about information, but about opportunity: the chance to actually build, test, fail, iterate, and ship. The final showcase brought these projects together, highlighting a wide spectrum of ideas, mechanics, and artistic directions emerging from Azerbaijan’s growing development scene.How the games were evaluated
To reflect the realities of professional game development, projects were assessed across a multi-dimensional framework:- Gameplay Mechanics (15%)
- Art and Aesthetics (15%)
- Originality (15%)
- Theme Integration (15%)
- Scope Management (10%)
- Pitch Quality (10%)
- Team Dynamics (10%)
Industry voices supporting emerging talent
The jury panel brought together experienced voices from across the regional games ecosystem, including Novruz Javadov, Founder of Darts Games studio; Yagub Mehtiyev, Co-founder of Dynamics Box studio; and Nikita Yudin, Project Manager at Xsolla. Their role went beyond evaluation. Each team received feedback grounded in real production experience, from gameplay balancing considerations to production scope realities.Recognizing potential, not just winners
At the conclusion of the bootcamp, five teams were selected for prizes in recognition of their outstanding work. But the broader outcome goes beyond competition results. What stood out was the density of new ideas, the willingness to experiment, and the clear emergence of a more structured local development pipeline. For Xsolla, initiatives like the Odlar Yurdu University GameDev Bootcamp reflect a broader belief: that sustainable industry growth starts with access, mentorship, and the opportunity to build. In regions like Azerbaijan, that foundation is already taking steps.Want to learn more?
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