2023 Summer Innovation Program
The 2023 MassDigi Summer Innovation Program (SIP) is a eleven-week internship program that includes the mentoring, guidance, housing, awards (aka stipends) and support** to help student teams finalize an original game and prepare it for launch.
- A chance to work on a game prototype from the ground up
- Work with a team of peers to help create the next big hit
- Industry mentors to help guide you
- A free place to live and an award (aka a stipend)
This is not just another internship but a chance to hold the fate of a game in your hands. There are industry mentors and faculty to help you – but in the end it is up to your team to build a successful game.**
- The application period for SIP23 closed on March 21. Applicants will receive their acceptance, wait list or denial notification on or before March 28.
- SIP23 is tentatively scheduled to run from May 16 to August 4, though dates are subject to change.** Please read the FAQ’s before applying.
** All is subject to change including housing, stipend, duration etc.
FAQs
Who can participate?
The Summer Innovation Program is open to students who will be entering their sophomore, junior or senior year (and graduate students, too) at a regionally-accredited college or university.* Students must be able to commit full-time to a typical work week for the entire duration of program – from virtual onboarding (May 16-19) to the core program (May 22-August 4)**. Housing availability is tentatively scheduled to begin on May 30**. Certain eligibility requirements, as noted below and in the application, must be met.
The SIP application process is very competitive. For example, last year 251 students attending 71 different colleges and universities from around the world applied for the 25 available slots. For more information on SIP22, please visit our blog.
What disciplines can apply?
Students studying game design, development, programming, animation, art, production and computer science will make up most of the teams, but there is room for marketers, writers and musicians, as well as others, too.
What will you build?
In addition to team-generated projects, on occasion, MassDigi also works with a number of sponsors that are building everything from mobile entertainment games to educational titles. You will work on a team that is focused on one title – though you will have a chance to help out on some of the other titles.
What is the deal with a free place to live?
WPI, MassDigi’s host institution, contributes housing on its Worcester, MA campus for SIP students in a residence hall.
Wait, does this include food?
No, we do not have the ability to provide meals on campus. There are a number of local restaurants and grocery stores as well as limited kitchen facilities in the residence hall.
What does this cost?
Nothing. In fact, you will receive a modest stipend for your work.
What is an award (aka a stipend)?
Money. You will receive an award of of $2100.
Where have SIP alumni gone on to work?
SIP alumni have gone on to work or intern at a range of companies and organizations including Sony, Google, 2K, Nickelodeon, Harmonix, Microsoft, Facebook, Apple, MIT Lincoln Lab, EA, Amazon, Turbine/Warner Bros., Wooga, Blizzard, Uber, Pilot Studio, SAP, Wizards of the Coast, Wayfair, Mightier, Filament Games, Epic Games, Rockstar New England, Magic Leap, Disney, Adult Swim, OtherSide Entertainment, Riot, Teach for America, Roosterteeth, Vivox/Unity, Zapdot, Insomniac Games, Epic Games, Hi-Rez Studios, Kongregate, Philips, Fanbyte, Niantic Labs, Zynga, Goldman Sachs, Wellington, Bungie, Disbelief, Legends of Learning, Zenimax, Proletariat and Hasbro or startup their own studios such as Zephyr Workshop, Snoozy Kazoo and Petricore Games.
What games have come out of SIP in past years?
Last summer, SIP22 teams built Cafe Cat, Hellfire Hair, Demigod Daycare and Get Low, Grandpa. Two years ago, SIP21 teams created Clock Out!, House Haunters, Bewitching Boba and Trials of Midnight. SIP20 teams created Danger Ducklings, Pluto’s Ascent, Raccoon Revenge, Merge Surge and Fostr. The SIP19 teams created Roller Riot, Bloom Blast!, Merge Critters and Save the Flame. Most prior year games can be found by searching for MassDigi in the Apple App and Google Play Stores while a few can also be found on Steam.
Do I have to be a student at WPI to participate?
No. The program is open to all college and university students who will be entering at least their sophomore, junior or senior year (and graduate students, too) at a regionally-accredited college or university.* In past years students from institutions such as MIT, USC, Carnegie Mellon, Smith, Champlain, Tufts, Clark, Mt. Holyoke, RIT, RPI, NYU, Wellesley, Swarthmore, Emerson, UMass Lowell, UMass Boston, UMass Amherst, UMass Dartmouth, Brandeis, Union, Colby, Hampshire, Union, Temple, Brown, Cornell, Bryn Mawr, Pratt, LYIT (Ireland), IUPUI, WIT, Northeastern, Lesley, SVA, RISD, Southern Maine, Penn and Berklee have been accepted.
How many students are accepted into the program?
We plan to accept 25 students into SIP.
* The regional-accreditation requirement may not apply for applicants enrolled in non-US institutions. International students must handle their own visas and documents as required.
** All is subject to change including housing, stipend, duration etc.
Are you a company looking to sponsor the program? All sponsors receive:
- Branding on the MassDigi website and at events
- Opportunity to provide inserts for attendees to the Game Challenge event
- Prominent branding in all messaging related to the program
- Invitations to the SIP Open House
- And more!
Please contact Monty Sharma (monty.sharma(at)massdigi.org) if you would like more information on SIP or sponsorship.
