ABOUT PIA SCHROETER
With a bachelor's in Cognitive Science and a master's in Game Design and Technology, I blend psychology, design, and technology to create engaging player experiences.
My work in game development and product management has taught me how to design intuitive, user-friendly experiences, while my experience as a teaching assistant has strengthened my technical skills and my ability to communicate complex ideas clearly. I believe that games should be for everyone, and that drives my focus on accessibility, player experience, and innovation. Whether through design, research, or collaboration, I love exploring new ways to make gaming more inclusive and meaningful.​
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Education
2023 - present
Game Design & Technology, MSc
University of Gothenburg
My master's studies provided a comprehensive education in game development, covering everything from designing mechanics to implementing and evaluating gameplay systems. Through coursework and collaborative projects, I learned how to apply research-backed principles to develop games that are not only technically sound but also highly engaging and player-focused.
2019 - 2023
Cognitive Science, BSc
University of Osnabrueck
The program offered a multidisciplinary approach, allowing me to study cognitive phenomena through the lenses of psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, philosophy, computer science, and artificial intelligence. This interdisciplinary approach introduced me to game development, where I explored how to apply concepts from cognitive psychology and programming to interactive digital environments.
Experience
September 2025 - present
Design Intern in the XR Lab
European Space Agency
I am collaborating with professional VR developers to analyse user interaction challenges across ESA’s current virtual reality applications, with the goal of developing unified design guidelines and reusable interaction patterns for future projects.
January 2025 - March 2025
Teaching Assistant for Game Engine Architecture
Chalmers University of Technology
I supported students in structuring their custom game engines by guiding discussions on important architectural decisions. I also taught game programming patterns to help students make informed decisions about their engine's architecture.
April 2024 - December 2024
Scholarship
King & Swedish Games Industry
King and the Swedish Games Industry (Dataspelsbranschen) created a scholarship for women and non-binary people that focused on inspiring and empowering them to start careers in the game industry. Through this scholarship and my mentor at King, I was able to take a closer look at the games industry and gained the opportunity to network at various conferences and events.
August 2024 - November 2024
Teaching Assistant for Introduction to Game Research
University of Gothenburg
I assisted in guiding students through the research process in game studies, providing support in analysing games from academic perspectives. Furthermore, I led interactive sessions, including role-playing campaigns as a game master, to help students explore game mechanics and narrative structures firsthand.
August 2022 - June 2023
Sales Manager
feelSpace GmbH
I managed the sales and distribution of various assistive technology products. I also delivered product demonstrations at trade fairs, increasing brand visibility and fostering customer relationships through hands-on instruction and support.
August 2020
Intern
Meister Cody GmbH
I contributed to the development of an eTherapy app for ADHD, working closely with psychologists, game developers, and entertainment computing specialists. I gained insight into how game design principles can be applied to therapeutic applications.