Aspiring Game Developers Showcase Innovative Titles at Wake Tech's Student Showcase
In a captivating display of creativity and technical prowess, dozens of future game developers at Wake Tech showcased their original video game creations to a packed audience on the Southern Wake Campus. The annual Student Showcase, a capstone project for the Simulation and Game Development (SGD) program, allowed students to collaborate and learn the intricacies of building and designing games from scratch, showcasing their skills and paving the way for promising careers in the dynamic gaming industry.
Unleashing the Next Generation of Game Innovators
Collaborative Efforts Yield Impressive Results
The Student Showcase featured an impressive lineup of 10 teams, each demonstrating their mastery of Unity and Unreal Engine in the creation of games based on this year's theme, "Good Intentions." Over the course of eight weeks, these aspiring game developers worked tirelessly to bring their visions to life, collaborating with one another to hone their skills and deliver captivating gaming experiences.The games presented at the showcase were a testament to the students' creativity and technical prowess. From the cozy isometric adventure "Beyond the Clouds," which guides old souls to the afterlife, to the interplanetary trading simulation "Trade N' Transit," the students showcased a diverse range of genres and gameplay mechanics.
Preparing for the Industry with Real-World Experience
The Student Showcase not only allowed the students to showcase their talents but also provided them with valuable exposure to local game companies. This interaction with industry representatives proved to be a crucial step in the students' journey, as it helped them gain employment opportunities and further their careers in the gaming industry.Associate Professor Amber Marie Johnson, one of the instructors who taught the course, emphasized the intense yet rewarding nature of the experience. "The exposure to game companies during the showcase will help our students gain employment," she said, highlighting the program's commitment to preparing its graduates for the competitive gaming landscape.
Turning Passion into Profession
The SGD program at Wake Tech has been instrumental in transforming the dreams of aspiring game developers into reality. One such success story is that of Alden Chappell, a student who recently secured a paid internship at Funcom, a global video game company with a studio in Morrisville."The SGD program at Wake Tech is phenomenal," Chappell expressed. "The instructors gave me the skills I need to pursue my dream career. I have loved video games since I was a kid, and now I get to design games for other people to play! It really is surreal."Chappell's achievement is a testament to the program's ability to nurture and cultivate the talents of its students, equipping them with the necessary skills and industry connections to thrive in the competitive gaming industry.
Comprehensive Curriculum and Diverse Opportunities
Wake Tech's SGD program offers an Associate in Applied Science degree and a variety of certificates, catering to a wide range of aspirations within the gaming industry. Graduates of the program are qualified for a diverse range of roles, including testers, quality assurance analysts, artists, animators, programmers, designers, engineers, and administrators.The program's reach extends beyond the entertainment industry, with graduates finding employment in healthcare, education, corporate training, and government organizations. This versatility reflects the program's commitment to providing a well-rounded education that prepares students for the evolving demands of the gaming landscape.The SGD program at Wake Tech has a rich history, having started in 2006 with a grant from the National Science Foundation. Over the years, the program has produced graduates who have gone on to work for industry leaders such as Epic, Red Storm/Ubisoft, Funcom, and Limited Run Games. Additionally, many students have successfully published their own game titles, showcasing the program's ability to nurture entrepreneurial spirit and independent game development.
