H-BRS presents degree programmes and computer game at Tokyo Game Show

It is one of the most important computer games trade fairs in the world: the Tokyo Game Show takes place from 25 to 28 September. More than a quarter of a million visitors from Germany and abroad are expected to attend the gaming trade fair in Japan. Right in the middle of it all: Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg (H-BRS), presenting the degree programmes Game Technologies and Autonomous Systems in Sankt Augustin. The adventure game "Honu", developed by students, will also be on show.

The university will be represented at the Tokyo Game Show with the Institute for Visual Computing (IVC) and the Department of Computer Science, as one of 13 exhibitors at the German Pavilion and the only university there. The German Pavilion is supported by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, while Leipziger Messe is responsible for the organisation. The Tokyo Game Show is expecting more than 1100 exhibitors, more than half of whom are not from Japan. With 275,000 visitors most recently, the event is one of the most important formats in the industry's trade fair and conference calendar worldwide, alongside Gamescom in Cologne and the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco.

The IVC and the Department of Computer Science demonstrate at the trade fair how diverse the applications of computer game technology are and that they go far beyond the entertainment sector. They will be providing information about projects in the fields of computer graphics, human-computer interaction, computer vision, visualisation and virtual reality. For example, VR-supported simulations have been developed at the university that are used in the treatment of claustrophobia and fear of heights. Another example is the visualisation of complex biochemical processes in the human body. The detailed digital models help to better understand diseases and develop active substances.

Public test: H-BRS presented the computer game "Honu" to a wider audience at Gamescom in Cologne. Photo: H-BRS.

In addition, the university wants to introduce its English-language Master's degree programmes Game Technologies and Autonomous Systems to the mostly young trade fair audience. The degree programmes are internationally oriented and qualify students for careers in research, industry and the games sector. From the winter semester 2025/26, the Master's degree programme in Game Technologies will be offered entirely in English and will focus on the scientific and technical aspects of game development rather than primarily on the artistic and creative aspects. Students have access to the university's own game studio for developing and testing computer games. The "Honu" game was also largely created there.

"It is exciting to present our research and our degree programmes on an international stage like the Tokyo Game Show," says Nelli Eurich, Managing Director of the IVC and member of the university trade fair team. "From the Master's degree programmes Game Technologies and Autonomous Systems to projects such as 'Honu', we are showing how closely practice-oriented teaching, research and innovation are intertwined at H-BRS. This is how we want to inspire international talent for our degree programmes."

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H-BRS is also presenting the Master's degree programme Autonomous Systems at the Tokyo Game Show. Photo: H-BRS

Over the course of three years, students from the Department of Computer Science have been working on "Honu", an adventure and puzzle game that is due to be released in October 2025. From the initial idea to the game design and technical realisation, the project was developed entirely in-house.

"Honu" is an example of the vibrant games community at H-BRS. Alongside their studies, students take part in game jams, e-sports events and workshops, develop games in the modern game studio and present their projects at trade fairs such as Gamescom. International guest lectures and exchange programmes with partner universities, for example in Japan and Canada, open up additional perspectives. "Honu" shows how students can gain valuable experience during their studies that prepares them specifically for careers in the games and tech industry.

Not least, the university wants to use its presence at the trade fair in Japan to further expand its global network of universities, studios and technology companies. The host country itself is very familiar to the university in Sankt Augustin. Co-operations with educational and research institutions in Japan have existed for a long time. The universities in Osaka and Kagawa are partner universities of H-BRS.

Hochschule Bonn-Rhine-Sieg: Research strength at three locations

Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg is a research-orientated university with campuses in Sankt Augustin, Rheinbach and Hennef. In Bonn, it runs the Bonn-Aachen International Centre for Information Technology together with the University and RWTH Aachen University. The university offers around 40 degree programmes in five faculties (Economics, Computer Science, Engineering and Communication, Applied Natural Sciences, Social Policy and Social Security), with around 9,000 students enrolled. Only recently, H-BRS came first in a study on the satisfaction of graduates. The study was conducted by the Institute for Applied Statistics (ISTAT) on behalf of the NRW Ministry of Science. H-BRS's research specialisms include security research, resource conservation and energy efficiency, visual computing, life sciences and health as well as AI and autonomous systems. A team of students from the Autonomous Systems master's programme, the b-it-bots, became world champions in the RoboCup working robot league in July.