Epic Games, co-creator of the award-winning UNREAL game franchise, announced the details for their inaugural Unreal University, the first intensive workshop devoted to learning how to create mods using the Unreal Game Engine. The university will take place on Nov. 8-9, 2003 at North Carolina State University. Unreal University is being sponsored by Epic Games, NC State's Center for Digital Entertainment, NVIDIA, AMD, Alias and Atari Inc.
University class presenters will include Epic Games developers and artists, as well as Jason Busby, creator of the www.3dbuzz.com and www.masteringunreal.com Websites. To help modders before, during and after the course, the 3D Buzz Mastering Unreal site contains more than 100 hours of free downloadable Video Training Modules (VTMs) geared toward educating users on how to program and build content using the Unreal Game Engine. Participants of the Unreal University will get an overview of the Unreal Game Engine's techniques and technology, as well as insider secrets on how to maximize their skills to create professional-level game content.
Unreal University is one of a number of events that is supporting the "$1,000,000 NVIDIA Make Something Unreal" contest sponsored by Epic Games, Digital Extremes, NVIDIA, Atari Inc., AMD and Alias. The contest, which runs in three parts, had more than 400 entries in its first round. The second phase of the contest has begun accepting entries, with winners announced this winter. The third and final phase will conclude in April 2004, with the finalists being announced at E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) in May 2004. The grand prize winners will be announced shortly thereafter. In total, winners will receive cash prizes totaling $500,000, and more than $300,000 worth of high-end PCs featuring NVIDIA's GeForce FX graphics, the NVIDIAnForce2 platform and AMD Athlon processors, and more than $30,000 worth of Maya Software.
For more information about Unreal University, visit www.makesomethingunreal.com. Registration and schedule information can be accessed at cde.ncsu.edu/uu. The cost of the seminar is $25, which includes meals and a t-shirt.
Established in 1991, Raleigh, North Carolina-based Epic Games Inc. is a developer of computer and video games, including UNREAL and UNREAL TOURNAMENT. Additional information can be obtained at www.epicgames.com.
NVIDIA Corp. is a market leader in visual computing technology dedicated to creating products that enhance the interactive experience on consumer and professional computing platforms. It is headquartered in Santa Clara, California and employs more than 1,700 people worldwide. For more information, visit www.nvidia.com.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
