New York University is hosting the first Camp/Game: Intensive Video Game Creation this summer, from July 6 to August 6, 2004. The summer camp is geared toward high school seniors and undergraduate students (17-25) interested in learning the finer points of the videogame industry. Camp/Game is created and run by the Division of Entertainment, Technology, Digital Arts and Design (ETDAD), part of NYU's School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS).
"Camp/Game participants in the area learn the basic creative structure, development and production of videogames as well as some business fundamentals in a fun, entertaining, yet structured environment," said Robert Manuel, assistant dean, Division of Entertainment, Technology, Digital Arts and Design.
While at the camp, students will have the opportunity to explore available career choices at the same time learning how to create games. In addition to getting a better understanding on becoming 3D animators, programmers, character and environmental designers, digital and technical artists, art directors, audio engineers and/or producers, the skills gained in videogame development may also be applicable to other fields such as architectural visualization, medical imaging and engineering, among others. Campers will develop new levels and modifications to an existing game title, such as DOOM.
During the first week of the program, students will play various games in order to develop a working vocabulary and concept for their project. Throughout the duration of the camp, instructors and guest lecturers will draw parallels between the game production efforts that students are undertaking and 'real-world' game development projects. Campers will be expected to attend and exhibit at weekly "builds" to show their progress to fellow campers. In the remaining weeks, students will break into teams to complete their project.
Videogame programming workshops include: Introduction to Unreal Script, Game Rules Programming, Intermediate Unreal Scrip, Unreal Bots/AI and Graphics & Effects Programming. Animation and 3D modeling seminar classes include: Introduction to 3ds max, From Concept to Model, Creating and Applying Texture Maps, 3ds max Character Studio and 3ds max Advanced Character Studio II. Level design will feature: Introduction to Unreal Level Editor, Intermediate Unreal Level Editor, Optimizing Unreal Levels and The Great Outdoors. Audio production workshops include Introduction to Game Audio and Introduction to Game Music.
In addition to NYU's faculty, industry professionals will include game designers, producers and programmers. Moderated video conference calls and/or online chats with industry experts such as game designers, game-related book authors and researchers are also part of the curriculum.
New York University, located in Greenwich Village, was established in 1831 and is one of America's leading research universities. Founded in 1934, NYU's School of Continuing and Professional Studies educates more than 50,000 adult learners annually, offering 2,500 credit and noncredit courses that span more than 125 fields. Visit SCPS online at www.scps.nyu.edu for more information.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
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