March 2, 2010
We're # 1
IMD Listed as Top Game Design Program
By Mel Cowan
SCA’s Interactive Media Division ranks as the #1 game design program at U.S. and Canadian universities, according to The Princeton Review and GamePro Media.
“This is an incredible validation of the remarkable work done by the students, faculty and staff in our Interactive Media Division,” said Dean Elizabeth M. Daley. “We’re honored to be recognized as the premier educational environment for aspiring game designers, and we’re looking forward to continuing the expansion and evolution of the program.”
Selected from over 500 institutions that offer game design programs, the list consists of 50 schools, which are recognized in the upcoming issue of GamePro Magazine. The top 50 list was selected based on data gathered through an extensive survey conducted during the 2009-10 academic year, and covered areas ranging from academics to eventual employment for graduates. Additional criteria included curriculum quality and focus, facilities, faculty credentials and scholarships.
We’re honored to be recognized as the premier educational environment for aspiring game designers, and we’re looking forward to continuing the expansion and evolution of the program.
- Dean Elizabeth M. Daley
The division is currently under the guidance of Professor Tracy Fullerton, whose book, Game Design Workshop, is used by game design programs worldwide.
“I can’t tell you how proud I am to be a part of this Division and of this School,” said Fullerton. “Since the IMD was formed, we’ve consistently had students who create fantastic, challenging games. It’s a pleasure to get to work with them every day.”
The IMD already has a strong track record of training successful game designers. Jenova Chen’s 2006 M.F.A thesis project flOw went onto become the #1 selling game on the Playstation 3 Network throughout 2007. Chen and his classmate, Kellee Santiago, formed ThatGameCompany, which has garnered a three-game studio deal with Sony Santa Monica. Matt Korba and Paul Bellezza, both M.F.A ’08 grads, created the time-bending game The Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom, which is set to be released by 2K Play on Xbox LIVE Arcade for Xbox 360 in early 2010. Their company, The Odd Gentlemen, is focused on creating innovative and non-traditional short form games.
Said Robert Franek, Princeton Review senior vice-president and publisher, “We salute the USC School of Cinematic Arts and the other outstanding institutions on our list for their exemplary work in game design education. It has long been our mission at The Princeton Review to help students research and get in to the education programs best for them. We are also committed to helping them carry that training to rewarding careers in fields they are passionate about. For the burgeoning numbers of students aspiring to careers in the rapidly growing field of game design and the companies that will need their creative talents, we hope our list will inspire many wonderful candidates to apply to these programs.”