Leveling Up in Prague: A Game Changer’s Experience

By Tal Soffer, BA and Entrepreneurship student, Game changers Program

For the past eight months, I’ve had the privilege of being part of Game Changers, an honors program at Reichman University funded by Playtika. It’s built for high-achieving students who are passionate about gaming, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

While we’ve already had incredible learning opportunities through seminars and hands-on projects, our recent trip to Prague took things to another level.

Last Tuesday, we flew out to explore the local gaming scene - and today, we’re heading home with fresh ideas, meaningful connections, and some unforgettable memories.

One of the highlights of the trip was visiting Keen Software House, the indie studio behind Space Engineers. We got a behind-the-scenes look at their development process, but what really stuck with me wasn’t just the game mechanics or technology - it was the culture and values that drive the studio.

Keen Software House is all about empowering creativity and building openly with their community. They spoke to us about the importance of transparency, both internally and with players, and how they balance that with the realities of working in a hybrid setup. Hearing how committed they are to staying player-focused reminded us that the best games are shaped just as much by purpose as by code.

We also spent time at SkillZone Gaming Club, a local gaming hub where we got hands-on with the latest games. We competed, collaborated, and just had a great time. The space showed us how alive and accessible gaming culture is in Prague. (And yes, we may have gone a little too hard during laser tag - but no regrets.)

More than anything, this trip brought us closer as a group. We went from classmates to teammates. We shared late-night dinners, cheered each other on in matches, and had real conversations that went way beyond school. That kind of connection doesn’t just happen in a classroom.

Huge thanks to Playtika and The Adelson School'd Dean, Dr. Yossi Maaravi for making this possible. Their support goes far beyond supporting and organizing - it’s a belief in who we are and what we’re capable of building.

We’re coming back more inspired, more connected, and more ready than ever to create something that matters.