It’s no surprise that students would want to get credit for playing video games. But the launch of a new interdisciplinary program at the U of A is more than game playing, it’s developing video games and learning to work on a team with fellow arts, sciences and education students – computer programmers, designers and writers alike – all with the goal of tapping into the multi-billion dollar gaming industry.
“We could fill this class over and again – it’s that popular and that competitive,” says certificate co-director Sean Gouglas, who with Michael Bowling in computing science, developed a program that will provide grads with skills they need to work for big game companies like BioWare, join a small start-up, or build and sell their own games.
“We have 30 students ready to go for that last credit – the capstone to a thorough understanding of gaming, and the expertise to become part of this booming field,” Gouglas says.
Now in his third year of studies towards a masters degree in humanities, St. Albert-raised David Holmes is a game developer and guest lecturer in the gaming certificate program. Teaching a history of video games course to eager students, 25-year-old Holmes says he wishes the program existed when he was an undergrad.
Yet, the Paul Kane grad found his way in the industry, thanks to events like global Game Jam weekends, where he and a high school friend spent 50 hours straight creating a rapid prototype of a game assessed by gamers from around the world. After that Friday to Sunday session a couple of years ago, the pair had a game that became the essence of Life Goes On, a 2D cartoon-ish video game set for release in 2014. Now with a group of four, Holmes has also formed a small, independent studio called Infinite Monkeys Entertainment.
“As someone who has been trying to make games from scratch, I see the benefit of a program like this,” Holmes says. “The certificate gives students expanding communication skills – you might be the best artist or writer, but if you only work alone then you’re not out there, not part of selling your creative ideas to potential employers. The industry is collaborative, so you have to learn to work as part of a team.”
The industry is also lucrative, rivalling the music and movie industry in size and value. Case in point: Grand Theft Auto 5 and Call of Duty: Ghosts each generated $1 billion in sales on launch day.
“Regardless of what you think of gaming and the medium, there’s a lot of money on the line, and there’s an exciting, growing developer scene in Edmonton,” Holmes says.
History student Maren Wilson is one course away from getting her certificate, but her portfolio is already set to impress, with three board games and one for Commodore 64.
“Getting this experience is invaluable. My board game Escape from Bunny Bay is one I can shop around or use for a start-up company.”
