By Benjamin Pola

 

USC Games, consistently recognized as one of the top game design programs in North America, welcomed legendary game designer and industry pioneer Mark Cerny for a special guest lecture on September 29th, focused on the evolution of the industry.

Cerny, who began his career at age 17 designing and programming games such as Marble Madness at Atari, opened the lecture by reflecting on the early days of the industry and his experience navigating a rapidly evolving field at a young age.

“There was no formal education for games when I got into the business, so it was easier to break in. I got hired after my second interview with no programming experience,” Cerny recalled.And that first opportunity launched a career that would span decades and influence some of the most recognizable games and studios in the industry. 

Cerny later moved to Japan to work at Sega, where he helped establish the Sega Technical Institute and served as project leader on Sonic the Hedgehog 2. At Universal Interactive Studios, he collaborated with Naughty Dog founders Jason Rubin and Andy Gavin, helping guide the development of Crash Bandicoot while championing development practices centered on both creativity and quality.

Decades into his career, Cerny remains deeply engaged in the craft and process of game development, from game mechanics and level design to the technologies and collaborative practices that bring games to life. His work with Naughty Dog, Insomniac Games, and other leading studios has helped shape approaches to game design and development that continue to influence the industry today.

Cerny’s visit was a coup for USC Games, the exciting collaboration between the School of Cinematic Arts’ Interactive Media & Games Division and the Viterbi School of Engineering’s Department of Computer Science. The evening offered more than a look back at the history of games. Cerny gave USC Games students a rare, firsthand perspective on the evolution of the ideas, technologies, and creative practices that have shaped the industry. He also introduced the Nova Games Foundation, founded by Cerny and Geoff Keighley, which will provide grants to students and alumni to help them finish and further develop their games.

Applications for the Nova Games Foundation open in December. For more information please visit: https://novagamesfoundation.org/ 

To learn more about the USC Games Program, visit: https://games.usc.edu/