March 12, 2004

By: Paula Mahjong
Website: http://www.1st-in-games.com

CCBC Program Seeks To Turn Novice Gamers Into Career Game Developers

The Community College of Baltimore County is teaching people to play games or, more precisely, it is teaching people to create games for a host of online users. In response to the digital gaming industry’s need for developers, CCBC has teamed with the University of Baltimore to develop a Simulation and Digital Entertainment associate of applied science degree program leading to a four-year degree. Targeting those seeking careers in the thriving and lucrative digital gaming arena, the program will prepare students to:

1.Design video games,

2.Develop games for advertising (aka - advergaming),

3.Produce learning games for educational purposes

4.Engineer military simulations

Spearheaded by Kathleen Harmeyer, associate professor in the School of Applied and Information Technology (SAIT) at CCBC, and Stuart Moulthrop, professor of Language, Literature and Communication Design at UB, the program was designed simultaneously at both colleges to assure that the curriculum would cover all facets. According to Harmeyer, the program is being marketed in middle schools and high schools so that aspiring gamers can take all of the requisite mathematics courses needed for this high tech field.

Basic Game Programming I offered this spring at CCBC Essex attracted twenty-two students including four high school students, two Baltimore County Public High School educators and an instructor from CCBC Catonsville. High school students can take courses through CCBC’s parallel enrollment program and earn college credit.

Also see: parcheesi game.

About The Author:

Paula Mahjong is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-games.com.  Great games for the entire family for hours of fun or competition. We feature all your favorites.