An article in The New York Times covers the burgeoning field of videogame studies. There is a wide range of programs ranging from Carnegie-Mellon's reputable master's in entertainment technology to Parsons the New School for Design's undergraduate program in game design. Former Nebraska Senator and current president of the New School, Bob Kerry, had this to say about their program:
A lot of students that come out of this program may not go to work for Electronic Arts. They may go to Wall Street. Because to me, there is no significant difference… between people who are making games and people who are manipulating huge database systems… It's largely the same skill set, the critical thinking.
Some game designers aren't as pleased with the idea of teaching game design. Jack Emmert, both a serious academic
and a designer on the popular online titles City of Heroes and City of Villians, said, "Making games is an art form.
You need to understand the technical side, but I loathe any attempt to teach game design as an academic discipline."
Legitimate concern, or guarding their turf?
[Via Ludology.org; nytimes link is reg. required
so try bugmenot]
