THUAS GameLab

Located in the Dutch Innovation Factory (Zoetermeer), the THUAS GameLab is the practical game and applied-games hub of The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS). It serves as a professional bridge where students, researchers, and the industry collaborate on both entertainment games and innovative simulations.

THUAS GameLab supports a mix of Indie/Entertainment games (released on platforms like Steam and Nintendo Switch) and Applied games (covering AI, Digital Twins, VR/AR, and Blockchain).

The lab is managed by industry veterans, including Jeroen Derwort (co-founder of Online Soccer Manager), Jasper Koning (co-founder of Ronimo Games), and Maarten Yntema (founder of Mindgaming).

It functions as an Incubator (helping students launch their own indie studios), a Kenniscentrum (knowledge center for gamification and entrepreneurship), and a Connector to the wider Dutch gaming industry.

The lab's location in Zoetermeer features specialized zones like the "Game Basement" for playtesting and a "Mini Arcade" in the atrium, which houses original arcade cabinets from the National Video Game Museum and high-end racing simulators.

It is specifically integrated with the HBO-ICT Game Development & Simulation specialization and the Game Development Minor, allowing students to do internships or graduation projects on real-world assignments.

Core Pillars
- Incubator: guiding students to take their indie games "next level."
- Innovation: using game tech for Digital Twins, AI, and Simulation
- Gamification: helping external companies and government organizations use game mechanics to stimulate specific behaviors.
- Playground: a hands-on space for experimenting with VR, AI-compute power, and pro-grade hardware.