The ‘serious games’ industry is concerned with a software or hardware application that has been developed with game technology and game design principles for ‘serious’ purposes, ie a game created for reasons other than mere entertainment. And to keep pace with the development in this sector, Coventry University in the UK has opened its very own Serious Games Institute (SGI).
Elaborating on the institute’s objectives, David Wortley, Director, SGI (www.seriousgamesinstitute.co.uk), says, “With electronic games becoming a universal tool for learning and skills development, SGI’s purpose is to contribute to the social and economic wealth of the West Midlands (UK) and the global community by serving as an international centre of excellence for the serious application of electronic games and virtual world technologies.”
Describing this field as a growing area, Wortley adds that in the near future serious games studies will evolve from the development of electronic games for entertainment into a study of associated technologies and methodologies that shape the development of games for serious purposes. This includes interface technologies, display technologies, artificial intelligence and social sciences. Also, SGI collaborates with the university in the development of undergraduate courses in electronic games development. This includes an MSc/BSc in creative computing, BSc in creative technologies, and BSc in games technology and MSc in games technologies.
The Bachelor’s programme in games technology equips one to design, build, and market computer games, and to apply the knowledge gained in many areas of advanced computer science. One is able to explore single-player games, multiplayer games, internet-based games, simulations, and virtual reality productions. Similarly, the Master’s in games technologies aims to introduce and develop specialist technical skills and knowledge relating to all aspects of computer games development.
The Bachelor’s programme in creative technologies is targeted specifically at international students. To this end, Coventry University’s Faculty of Engineering and Computing has established collaborations with universities and colleges around the world. This enables students to study this Bachelor’s programme while remaining in their home country. The programme’s aim is to help international students gain a broad understanding of the technologies and design processes that are driving forward developments in the fields of multimedia computing, games technology, digital entertainment and creative computing.
The Bachelor’s and Master’s in creative computing helps one acquire skills in object-oriented programming, besides gaining an understanding of the principles of usability and human-computer interaction, and an appreciation of the complexity of managing image data banks. The course prepares one for careers in different areas of the creative industries such as corporate web communications, games creation companies, market research agencies, government information and education organisations, the health service, publishing houses and broadcast production companies.
According to Wortley, two of the biggest challenges in this field are the rapidly changing technologies and the societal acceptance of electronic games as a serious discipline. And as for the skills this field requires, he elaborates, “While strong computing skills are important for a career on the technical side of developing serious games, the nature of the industry means that people from a range of backgrounds — whether that be in media, arts, literature — will all be needed to design, script and populate virtual worlds and games. Serious games need to mimic the real world, and skills and knowledge are needed to turn the code into meaningful experiences for users from a range of professions.”
SGI also plans to offer exclusive fellowships for Indian students as the Institute grows. To learn more, students can visit the Education UK Exhibition, which will be held at British Council, New Delhi, on February 14 and 15. The exhibition will feature more than 80 UK institutions. For exhibition details log on to www.educationuk-in.org
Source: Myeducationtimes
Tidak ada komentar