Connecting Students to Video Game Pros
It seems like a college student’s dream come true: get paid to immerse yourself in video games. But a gaming career requires more than having logged the dorm top score for “Halo” or “Rock Band.” If you want to make video games your career, UMBC offers tracks for juniors and seniors that combine strong fundamentals in computer science, visual arts and teamwork.
Thanks to UMBC’s Games, Animation and Interactive Media (GAIM) program, a growing number of alumni have built careers at top Maryland gaming companies. The UMBC student Game Developer’s Club will put that talent pipeline and career mentoring network center stage at the fourth annual Digital Entertainment Conference (DEC), Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Lecture Hall 2.
The DEC is free and open to students from UMBC, other universities, high schools and anyone else with an interest in a behind-the-scenes look at how games are created and advice on breaking into the industry. Speakers from top Maryland gaming companies like Firaxis and Big Huge Games will discuss how games are conceptualized, designed, programmed and produced.
“The DEC brings students face-to-face with game industry professionals,” said Lesa Wilcox, a senior in the GAIM track and president of the Game Developer’s Club (GDC). “It’s an exciting opportunity to learn about how games get made and how you can get a job making them.”
In 2007, gaming industry revenues outpaced those for movies and music combined. Thanks to hit titles like “Guitar Hero,” the game industry continues to be strong, with sales of over $22 billion in 2008.
The GDC was founded by Eric Jordan ’08, who now works as a programmer at Firaxis and will speak at the DEC. “The GDC and the GAIM program both provide students with the opportunity to gain invaluable experience and network with industry professionals,” he said.
Katie Hirsch ’04 was a trail-blazing double major in computer science and imaging and digital arts while at UMBC. She is now a user interface programmer for Firaxis and has taught a course for the GAIM program.
According to Hirsch, the serious skills required to make games can also be attractive to other career fields. “Game development incorporates some of the most challenging and complex aspects of art and computer science,” said Hirsch. “Students who are prepared to make games will also be prepared for almost any other opportunity available.”
For more information on the 2009 Digital Entertainment Conference, visit the event’s Facebook page.
(4/22/2009)
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