When creating games becomes a rewarding career

St Martin’s Institute of IT is developing a degree, in conjunction with Goldsmiths College, University of London, aimed at persons fascinated with the creation of computer games.

The Institute said the diploma and the BSc (Hons) in Creative Computing conferred by the University of London International Programme provides the core curriculum designed to develop the core human capital required for the games industry.

The degree is a computer science degree first and foremost, yet ingraining the very basic principles in design and audio, enabling students to develop their creative thinking through technology tools.

It is not a coincidence therefore that apart from providing the element of core academic studies for its students, St Martin’s Institute jumped at the opportunity to develop extra curricular activities which are meant to enhance the degree programme.

Two years in quick succession, Michela Magas was invited to develop a so-called “Technology Creative Week” for the lecturers and students of the Institute.

Students were allowed to roam and develop a technological solution to a problem they identified. Many interesting proposals were concluded, and in one particular case even a working prototype was developed.

In 2010, the department decided to start a new initiative, the Games Development Challenge, which evolved so rapidly that all four teams who participated in what was conceived as an in-house initiative participated in the national XNA GameZing competition and won both winner and runner up prizes.

The real benefit came about from the training and mentoring provided by Gareth Lewis, a 17-year veteran producer of Lionhead and an academic and consultant for the past years who provided a Train The Trainer programme to St Martin’s Institute staff.

The Games Dev Challenge has become so successful and popular, that Lighthouse and Ashley, a media company, have sponsored the Challenge and developed its brand image to highlight the uniqueness of the initiative on the Maltese education scene.

The second edition of Games Dev Challenge is currently under way, with eight teams participating under the mentorship of six members of faculty.

Many are the developments being introduced as new initiatives for the next academic year. Students are being encouraged to join the Creative Computing programme and may benefit from a full scholarship to read for this Bachelor of Science degree. Admissions are open and students with four ordinary levels including mathematics and English may embark on the programme through the diploma route. Joining this programme will give the opportunity to explore the wide aspects of digital media creativity and how computer science is playing an important role in the entertainment industry of the twenty first century.

www.stmartins.edu