For those who are still deciding on a major or are thinking about a new field of study, a new field has become of interest: game development.
DU’s unique game development program integrates the already popular Computer Science Department, art and Digital Media Studies programs into one exclusive set of classes.
ScottB T.B Leutenegger, a professor in the Computer Science Department and director of the game development program, described the new major as a blend of creativity and technology.
According to Leutenegger, “In some ways this degree is similar to Digital Media Studies, and in some ways it is nothing like it. We have followed the DMS philosophy: a ground-breaking lead, namely the combination of technical, design and creative aspects.”
The goal of the DMS program is to give students the ability to use both sides of the brain.
Both BA and BS degrees are available to students who may be more focused on one method of thinking than the other: either technical or creative.
The BA, though, does require that students also double major in Studio Art, EMAD or DMS.
If students are more interested in the technical aspects, the BS is very similar to a computer science degree.
Another difference between the game development program and the traditional Digital Media Studies program is the narrow scope of the field.
Digital Media Studies covers the entire digital world and its impact on society. Game development, however, deals strictly with gaming.
“TheB gameB developmentB programB isB aB tonB ofB workB toB create,” said Leutenegger.B B
“IB figureB everyB yearB forB theB next fiveB yearsB willB beB aB hugeB challengeB forB ourB facultyB asB newB classesB areB created,B moreB studentsB pickB upB theB major,B classesB need to be revisedB andB weB workB towardB buildingB theB researchB component ofB theB programB andB industryB ties.”
Leutenegger said that as he learns moreB aboutB theB challenges,B heB admiresB Prof. JeffB Rutenbeck,B whoB oversawB theB creationB ofB theB DMSB B program and is its director.B
The market for game development itself is a $10 billion industry that has already surpassed that of Hollywood, said Leutenegger.
Students who are interested in any form of art, technology or mathematics are encouraged to join the program.
Leutenegger has already spoken with 30 prospective students and expects at least 20 to 40 new students in the field during the fall of 2006.
Overall, the program is a growing project at DU that should gain attention in the near future, Leutenegger said.
“OurB ultimateB goalB isB toB provideB studentsB choicesB relatedB toB gamesB thatB areB almostB purelyB technical, purelyB artB andB design,B andB someB combinationB inB between,” said Leutenegger.
“IB thinkB few freshmenB knowB whatB they reallyB wantB toB do,B andB theB keyB isB toB haveB aB firstB yearB thatB makesB manyB pathsB openB beforeB them and toB let themB self-direct themselvesB basedB onB interestB andB theirB perceivedB abilities.”
