Game Design Technology Students Get Prepared for Futuristic Career
Career Education at Brown College Offers a Contemporary Vision In Their Innovative Game Design Department
Minneapolis, MN (PRWEB) June 29, 2005 -- It has now been one year that Brown
College has made available its Bachelor of Science in Game Design and
Development program to prepare students for positions in careers related to the
creation of interactive 2D and 3D computer games and how to find and develop
innovative uses for that technology. Students can learn how to use skills in
software design, programming languages, modeling and animation skills,
networking principles, level and world editors, and game engines typically used
to design and develop games in progressive applications. http://www.browncollege.edu ;
In 2004, Justin Spoelstra, Assistant Department Chair of Game Design and
Development, helped to design a curriculum that is unique to Brown College. This
curriculum greatly expands the current vision and breadth of game building
technology.
“Less than ten years ago, the concept of using this
technology for such purposes was unheard of,” says Spoelstra. “Animators, game
designers and developers were often disregarded in the corporate world. They
thought of the art as cartooning or a hobby that wouldn’t develop into
anything.”
The population born after 1960 – the Gen-Xs – are not likely
to be satisfied with a blue print or drawing or seeing a 2D portrayal; they will
expect interactive media, three-dimensional representations, mainly because they
have grown up with video game technology and have been immersed in the 3D
graphics.
“Corporate America is looking at this multi-billion dollar
industry and they realize this is a serious industry – it’s not going away, but
evolving into other avenues of growth,” comments Spoelstra. “They want to know
how to reach the Gen-Xers, and it’s through gaming technology.”
Using
digital imagery, Spoelstra helped to secure 12 million dollars financing by
demonstrating a park soon to be built . Virtual stores is a possibility where
shopping can be done by clicking on virtual products and purchasing product,
which will use the same technology as a video game. Seven years ago animation
was rarely used in architecture or engineering now it is becoming increasingly
popular, as well as mechanical animations.
Medical uses are on a rise,
using animation for the industry is helping patients to understand their medical
care, by using 3D renditions of their proposed surgery. A child who goes into
children’s hospital can be shown animations of exactly what is going to happen,
using cartoon like characters and objects to ease tension from their little
client. All patients some day soon may expect this sort of explanation before
engaging in difficult or dangerous surgery.
The first nine months of the
curriculum covers the theory and pre-production of why they are creating games,
the business side of design, where industry going, why new games are created. It
also covers procuring target markets, what is a genre and teaches understanding
the uniqueness of one game versus another, as well as other vital marketing
training. Additionally, they are taught important business basics such as how to
communicate to employees and colleagues in ways to raise moral and keep people
motivated, including focus and goal strategizing with them. After they are fully
indoctrinated into the theory side of it all, beginning in the fourth quarter
they learn how to actually build the games, and the in depth technology of
advanced gaming techniques.
Brown has enjoyed huge success training and
graduating students in technology, design, and broadcast fields for over 50
years. Brown College offers programs in criminal justice, television production,
radio broadcasting, visual communications, and business management, as well as
medical courses needed to become a medical office assistant.
Founded in
1946, Brown College provides students with career education including the
knowledge, technical skills and hands-on training needed to succeed in fields
such as computer technology, interactive game design, graphic design and visual
communications, radio broadcasting, television production, criminal justice,
business administration, medical office administration and message therapy. http://www.browncollege.edu
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/6/prweb256486.htm