The Guildhall at SMU degree
Students prototyping a game based on Braveheart.
SMU-Dallas, TX (December 15, 2009) – The Guildhall at Southern Methodist University, one of the leading universities in the world for graduate level video game development education, has announced the unveiling of a student project involving the prototype development of a game based on the Paramount film Braveheart.
“We believe this to be the first project of its kind where a university has been able to develop a prototype game for educational purposes based on a major motion picture,” said Dr. Peter Raad, executive director of The Guildhall at SMU. “The opportunity for our students to work on a globally-recognized concept like Braveheart is extraordinary by any measure.”
An educational arrangement between SMU and Paramount made development of the game possible.
SMU offers a master’s degree and graduate certificate in video game development with emphasis in art creation, level design or software programming. As the capstone of the curriculum, in the final semester the class breaks into simulated design studios of about 15 students each. Their mission is to go from a blank piece of paper to a working prototype game prior to graduation. During this process students demonstrate the entire spectrum of skills they have learned in art creation, level design and programming.
“Our faculty’s industry experience and expertise in developing video games based on motion pictures led to our students being given this rare opportunity” explained Dr. Raad. “At the end of the day, this makes the educational experience as real world as it gets.”
The public will have a chance to view and play the students’ game, entitled Braveheart: Primae Noctis, at the program’s public exhibition on Dec. 18, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at The Guildhall at SMU at SMU-in-Plano. For more information, visit http://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 leaders, and classes are taught by industry veterans. In six years, the program has graduated over 300 students, and alums work 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 Video Game Development, with specializations in art creation, level design, and software development. For more information, please visit http://guildhall.smu.edu.
Contact:
Ron Jenkins
jenkinsr@smu.edu
972-473-3546