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Focus on Learning Spurs Rise of Video Game Design Summer Camps
Camps in 27 States Offer 300 Summer Programs in Game Design
March 20, 2012 - WASHINGTON, DC – More than 300 summer camps now offer programs in video game design, according to new research released today by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), the trade association representing U.S. computer and video game publishers.
ESA said the development of camp programs reflects a growth in pursuing game design careers and the academic rigor that underpins the industry’s recent advances. In addition, for students with an interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), video game design camp offers a fun and exciting way to learn and develop these important skills.
“With the nation’s renewed focus on STEM education, I’m encouraged to see a complementary growth in camps where students explore their personal interest in game design, learn valuable skills, and perhaps most important, have fun doing it,” said Rich Taylor, senior vice president for communications and industry affairs at the ESA. “Video games are increasingly acknowledged as innovative educational tools and video game design offers students great opportunities to develop the advanced math and problem-solving abilities they will need to achieve success and keep America competitive in the 21st century economy.”
Students at video game design camps typically tackle one or two week courses that teach a variety of game design skills from 3D mapping to graphic arts and developing games for smartphones and mobile devices. Students can spend their time at camp learning the same skills industry professionals use to design games, and then bring their projects home on CDs and thumb drives.
Parents and students interested in a video game summer camp can choose from programs offered at select colleges, middle schools and high schools in 27 states and the District of Columbia. California (23), New York (10), Massachusetts (9), Pennsylvania (7) and Texas (6) are the nation’s leaders for camp programs. The complete list of summer camps can be found here.
The ESA offers services to interactive entertainment software publishers including conducting business and consumer research, providing legal and policy analysis and advocacy on First Amendment, intellectual property and technology/e-commerce issues, managing a global anti-piracy program, owning and operating E3, and representing video game industry interests in federal and state government relations. For more information, please visit www.theESA.com.
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