Digital games have arguably become one of the most popular forms of entertainment in our culture today. Many studies have claimed that revenue from digital game sales actually
rivaled that of Hollywood ticket sales in 2004. According to CNN, sales of software and hardware around the U.S. reached an all time high in 2005 totaling $10.5 billion surpassing the previous record of $10.2 billion in 2002.This is a trend that many analysts expect to continue well into the foreseeable future.
The aim of our program is to prepare students for diverse careers in video game development. In addition to developing technical and organizational
skills in game development, the program will also offer students an in-depth study of the history, philosophy, ethics, and sociology of digital games
and game playing. It will give students the necessary skills to work in groups of game developers consisting of members with diverse backgrounds and
roles in the planning, design and production. As the program grows, we plan to add additional components such as the business of gaming and serious game
development. Students in the program will also have a chance to move beyond the immediate issues to ask broader questions that may better inform our
discussion of digital games in today's society by studying the games themselves and casting a critical eye towards the gaming industry.
If you have additional questions about the program, please contact
the School of Arts & Sciences at artssciences@uhv.edu.
