In 2017, Newzoo released a quarterly update of its Global Games Market report, which showed that some 2.2 billion gamers across the globe were expected to generate $108.9 billion in game revenues that year. “This represents an increase of $7.8 billion, or 7.8%, from the year before,” according to the report, and it was estimated that digital game revenues would account for $94.4 billion or 87% of the global market.
Mobile was expected to be the “most lucrative segment, with smartphone and tablet gaming growing 19% year over year to $46.1 billion, claiming 42% of the market.” By 2020, “mobile gaming will represent just more than half of the total games market. The PC and console game markets will generate $29.4 billion and $33.5 billion in 2017, respectively.”
So, what does all of this mean for today’s game graduates? High demand for skilled designers, developers, game artists and programmers, of course! The growing demand for talent has attracted the attention of colleges and universities around the country who are all too eager to play a part in producing the next generation of game designers. So eager, that even some of the top computer science departments in the country and around the world now provide the option to focus in multiple areas of game design and development.
So far this year, we have had the pleasure of reporting more than a dozen game design program launches to our readers. For July 2018, we have a few more to add to the list.
We are pleased to announce that Becker College, Tulane University, and the Centre for Arts and Technology have launched a several unique game design programs and partnerships, and all are accepting applications right now. Here you go.
Becker College – Worcester, Massachusetts
Becker College has announced the launch of a new BS in Esports Management. The school says it created the degree program in response to the growing “economic and professional opportunities generated by the burgeoning esports, or competitive gaming.” Last year, there were 588 major global esports events, and by 2021, the global esports audience is expected to grow to over 580 million, reports the school. Growing at a rate of 40% a year, the global esports industry is also expected to top $1.5 billion dollars (US) in revenue by next year.
Offered through Becker’s School of Design and Technology, the new BS program joins another new offering, the MFA in Interactive Media, which launches this fall, as well as the current BA in Interactive Design with Concentrations in Game Arts, Game Design, Game Development and Programming, and Game Production and Management.
The full-time, four-year Esports Management program, which focuses on providing students with “practical, hands-on learning and an entrepreneurial outlook,” will “equip students with the knowledge and experience needed to excel” in the industry. Sample courses for the 121-credit program include Introduction to Game Design, Competitive Gaming: Culture, Climate and Team Development, Esports Event Management, Global Economics: Micro and Macro Perspectives and Building and Sustaining Community in the New Age of Participation.
“Students will learn how to plan and execute small and large scale events utilizing the latest in streaming technology, develop business plans to develop teams, create online communities and promote events through digital technology.” They “will also explore the culture of esports, its audience and fan base and four dominant game genres that make up the industry.” Students will be taught primarily through traditional face-to-face to classes with a potential for hybrid classes, for appropriate courses.
“The rapid growth of esports brings with it new jobs and demands from the industry. That translates to tremendous career opportunities for our students,” said Dean of the School of Design and Technology, Alan Ritacco. “With a spirited college community that gets video games, adding esports management is a perfect fit.”
According to the school’s website, the BS in Esports Management is the first of its kind in the country.
For more information about the new BS in Esports Management, visit Becker’s School of Design & Technology.
About Becker College
Becker College was founded in 1784 as Leicester Academy. It is the 19th oldest campus in the country. The school serves more than 2,000 students enrolled in dozens of degree programs from Applied Behavioral Science to Interactive Media Design to Veterinary Science. Becker College is granted accreditation by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc. (NEASC) at the associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degree levels.
Tulane University – New Orleans, Louisiana
The School for Professional Advancement (SoPA) at Tulane University has announced the launch of a new Digital Design program that will prepare graduates for an exciting career in game art and animation, interactive design, and graphic design. According to a recent Tulane University news report, Program Director Amanda Garcia “developed the curriculum after conducting extensive research on the workforce within the state and Greater New Orleans.”
According to Garcia, during the next five years in Louisiana, interactive design positions will grow by 23.02 percent, opportunities in animation and virtual reality will grow by 11.8 percent, and graphic design jobs will grow by 9.43 percent. “Reflecting these anticipated areas of job growth, the program offers three tracks of in-depth coursework and three degree options”—a BA, a post-baccalaureate certificate, and a digital design minor.
Garcia collaborated with local video game development studio inXile Entertainment to build the game art and animation track. Sample animation game design courses for the program include Game Engine Studio 1 -Intro to Game Engine(s) Pipelines, Game Engine Studio 2 - World building, lighting and post-processiNG, Digital Art Studio 3 - Modularity, Digital Art Effects - Complex Textures and Materials, and Digital Art Studio 4 - User Interface for Game Art & Animation.
According to Garcia, the goal was to create a “realistic program that would make it possible to find internships and jobs locally.” Another benefit of the program is it incorporates service-learning projects into all 3,000- and 4,000-level classes.
“Service learning will teach students how to survive after graduation,” said Garcia. “We’ll be partnering with local nonprofits and providing students with real-world clients. These experiences will give our students a competitive edge when applying for jobs upon graduation.”
Already underway for the summer, the new program also offers a bootcamp series, featuring workshops covering Adobe Photoshop, website building, and creating a professional social media presence.
Visit the SoPA website to learn more.
About Tulane
Tulane University began as a medical college in 1834. Today the school is considered one of the top research universities in the country. The school serves more than 13,500 students enrolled in more than 70 majors in five different schools, including Science and Engineering, Architecture, Business, Liberal Arts and Public Health.
Tulane University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and it is one of just 62 members of the Association of American Universities, an elite group of top-ranked research institutions.
Centre for Arts and Technology (CAT) – Kelowna, BC Canada
The Centre for Arts and Technology (CAT) has announced the launch of a partnership with British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). The new partnership will allow CAT graduates in areas such as animation for game, film and visual effects, and web development to continue their education at BCIT in pursuit of a degree that can lead to advancement in the field, a studio launch, and more.
According to a recent CAT press release, “CAT Students graduating from one of a selected list of eligible programs within the last five years will be able to earn a BCIT Business Management Advanced Diploma and a Bachelor of Business Administration – areas that will further enhance CAT's creative education offerings.” Eligible CAT Programs include Animation for Game, Film & Visual Effects, Visual Effects for Film & Animation, 2D Animation & Digital Art, Graphic Design & Web Development, and Network Security Specialist.
“CAT Programs offer focused students industry targeted training for careers in the digital arts industries and now students can choose to build upon this foundation by completing the CAT-BCIT pathway programs,” says the school. The partnership “will provide diverse educational pathway options to graduates from Centre for Arts and Technology and will create more well-rounded and skilled students.”
Visit the Centre for Arts and Technology for additional details.
About CAT
The Centre for Arts and Technology serves a diverse student body across two campuses in Kelowna and Surrey BC. The school offers dozens of programs ranging from 3D Animation: Game, Film and Visual Effects to Studio Production and Web Development. CAT holds the Education Quality Assurance (EQA) designation, which means the institution meets or exceeds quality assurance standards set by the province of B.C. The school also holds the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) designation.