Video Game Programming at UPEI
Are you interested in breaking into the video game development industry? Are you good at math and problem solving? Are you willing to work hard in a team environment? If so, then you should look at UPEI’s new offering in Video Game Programming.
First available in September 2008, the Department of Computer Science & Information Technology at UPEI will offer a specialization in Video Game Programming. Developed in conjunction with members of the local video game development industry, this program will prepare you for the most in-demand job in the field – programmer.
This program requires you to complete the normal requirements for a major in computer science with a number of speciality video game development courses taken as electives. Specialized courses include:
• Non-Traditional Platform Computing
The Specialization
The video game programming specialization is built on top of a normal major in computer science. This is a four year program that leads to a BSc. Students will follow the normal course of study for a computer science student during their first two years, taking a few of the video gaming courses as electives. At the end of year two, interested students may apply for acceptance into the specialization. If accepted, the next two years will be a challenging submersion into the nuts and bolts world of video game creation. Working with academic staff and industry mentors, students will learn the process of creating video games, from initial idea to finished product. Students will have access to state of the art equipment and the latest industry products. At the same time, students will have to complete the normal requirements for a major in computer science. Upon completion of the program the student will will receive their BSc degree and a certificate noting completion of the specialization.
The Industry
The video game development industry is rapidly expanding worldwide and PEI is making a concerted effort to be the major regional player in the field. From start-up companies to local branches of large, established studios, the job environment on PEI is excellent and is expected to get even better in the coming years. Indeed, the only thing holding back the local industry from growing at an even faster rate is the lack of highly skilled graduates. Jobs in this field are well paid and interesting – but the industry is highly competitive and very difficult to break into. Even with the severe shortage of hires, companies would rather go without than hire people who do not meet their specific needs. UPEI’s program has been designed with extensive input from local industry to meet their requirements. Graduates of the program will be ideally suited to break into this rapidly growing field.
"Our industry is growing exponentially. Recruitment is always a challenge. With local educational programs providing skilled workers, we have the potential to grow our company more quickly and better meet the demands of our customers."
Deirdre Ayre
Studio Head, Other Ocean Interactive
“UPEI will reduce my need to train programmers from scratch by developing, with the direct input of the video game industry, a practical educational model that will make the student extremely hireable. "
Sean Yeomans
President, Telos Productions
First available in September 2008, the Department of Computer Science & Information Technology at UPEI will offer a specialization in Video Game Programming. Developed in conjunction with members of the local video game development industry, this program will prepare you for the most in-demand job in the field – programmer.
This program requires you to complete the normal requirements for a major in computer science with a number of speciality video game development courses taken as electives. Specialized courses include:
• Non-Traditional Platform Computing
o programming for game consoles and mobile devices, including cell phones• Topics in Non-Traditional Platform Computing
o project-driven course exploring newly emerging technologies - taught by industry instructors when possible• Concepts in Computer Graphics & Applied Computer Graphics Programming
o 2D and 3D graphics programming• Video Game Design
o from initial game idea to prototype• Video Game Programming Project
o a year long, industry mentored, team project to develop a fully functioning video game• Interactive Storytelling
o presenting a story in an interactive medium• Gaming Physics
o the physics underlying the gaming world and how to implement them in a virtual environment
The Specialization
The video game programming specialization is built on top of a normal major in computer science. This is a four year program that leads to a BSc. Students will follow the normal course of study for a computer science student during their first two years, taking a few of the video gaming courses as electives. At the end of year two, interested students may apply for acceptance into the specialization. If accepted, the next two years will be a challenging submersion into the nuts and bolts world of video game creation. Working with academic staff and industry mentors, students will learn the process of creating video games, from initial idea to finished product. Students will have access to state of the art equipment and the latest industry products. At the same time, students will have to complete the normal requirements for a major in computer science. Upon completion of the program the student will will receive their BSc degree and a certificate noting completion of the specialization.
The Industry
The video game development industry is rapidly expanding worldwide and PEI is making a concerted effort to be the major regional player in the field. From start-up companies to local branches of large, established studios, the job environment on PEI is excellent and is expected to get even better in the coming years. Indeed, the only thing holding back the local industry from growing at an even faster rate is the lack of highly skilled graduates. Jobs in this field are well paid and interesting – but the industry is highly competitive and very difficult to break into. Even with the severe shortage of hires, companies would rather go without than hire people who do not meet their specific needs. UPEI’s program has been designed with extensive input from local industry to meet their requirements. Graduates of the program will be ideally suited to break into this rapidly growing field.
"Our industry is growing exponentially. Recruitment is always a challenge. With local educational programs providing skilled workers, we have the potential to grow our company more quickly and better meet the demands of our customers."
Deirdre Ayre
Studio Head, Other Ocean Interactive
“UPEI will reduce my need to train programmers from scratch by developing, with the direct input of the video game industry, a practical educational model that will make the student extremely hireable. "
Sean Yeomans
President, Telos Productions
More Information
Check out the above links for a description of our new courses, and the sequence in which courses would be taken in this specialization. Feel free to contact us about the program if you have futher questions!
University of Prince Edward Island -- Faculty of Science -- Department of Computer Science and Information Technology
Department of Computer Science and Information Technology