Guildhall Academy
GamePro sponsoring two-week development course in the States.
SMU/Dallas- May 13, 2009: The Guildhall at SMU today announced GamePro Magazine and Gamepro.com as sponsors for the Guildhall Academy, a two-week game development camp for middle school and high school students at the program’s location in Plano, TX.
The Guildhall Academy is a two-week, 60-hour intensive session in which students will create their own 2D video game using Microsoft’s ® XNA™ technology and a starter kit developed by SMU. The game can be played on a PC or Xbox 360.
The program’s goal is to offer something different than other general fine arts, science or math summer camps by teaching the many forms of art and science behind video game development. It is taught by SMU faculty members who are game industry veterans. SMU’s long term goal is to make the program an after school program.
GamePro’s sponsorship will include many perks for Guildhall Academy students, offering insights into the game industry and incentives for students to put their best effort forward. GamePro also plans to have some of the student-developed games available for download on GamePro.com
Other details of the sponsorship include:
• A discussion, led by a GamePro guest-lecturer, on career opportunities in games media, particularly writing about and reviewing games, including how GamePro’s peer-review rating system works;
• A Guildhall Academy peer-review game development contest, awarding the highest-rated peer review game at the end of each two week session;
• A $1,000 scholarship for Guildhall Academy from GamePro;
• A free one-year subscription to GamePro Magazine for all campers;
• And a feature story on Guildhall Academy on GamePro.com.
For more information, please contact Amy Adler at adlera@smu.edu, or go to www.guildhall.smu.edu.
About The Guildhall at SMU:
The Guildhall at Southern Methodist University is the premier graduate video game education program in the US. Many of the school’s founders are industry icons, and classes are taught by industry veterans. In five years, the program has graduated over 250 students and alums have worked at more than 80 video game studios around the world, with several graduates now serving in leadership positions. SMU offers both a Master’s degree and a graduate Professional Certificate of Interactive Technology in Digital Game Development, with specializations in art creation, level design, and software development. For more information, visit www.guildhall.smu.edu
About GamePro:
A pioneering brand in gaming media for 20 years, GamePro produces magazines, websites, and in-store products that enable our readers to make the most informed purchasing decisions. GamePro’s unique emphasis on providing expert product information and gaming-related news in a fun and accessible manner has helped turn millions of casual players into passionate gamers. Our print and digital properties provide purchasing information to 6.4 MM US gamers each month and serves as a key marketing vehicle for over 100 trusted brands. In addition, GamePro is uniquely situated to help publishers reach 6 MM consumers each day with a point of purchase marketing presence at 7-Eleven stores across the United States. For more information, visit www.gamepromedia.com.