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EA Makes Multi-Million Dollar Gift to USC
An anonymous reader writes "The University of Southern California's School of Cinema-Television, thanks to a multi-million dollar gift from game industry powerhouse Electronic Arts, have started a game design track within the Interactive Media Division. 'The School's rich storytelling tradition and long-standing commitment to technological experimentation make it an ideal partner for EA,' said Don Mattrick of EA. The entire press release can be read from the department's weblog." Interestingly, this donation funds a Electronic Arts-branded degree: "...the EA Interactive Entertainment Program... a 3-year Master of Fine Arts degree program."
And after you spend three years and thousands of dollar to get your degree, EA will still not hire you.
And the men who hold high places must be the ones who start
To mold a new reality... closer to the heart
I'm surprised that this is being offered through the school of Cinema and Television, and further surprised to hear that USC's Anthony Borquez has nothing to do with it. From what I understand, he was pretty active in bringing game development to USC's curriculum, going so far as to establish a minor degree in game development to the USC School of Engineering. Regardless of what the degree will get those who obtain it, (somewhere else in these comments, I believe someone mentioned french fries), I think this is the first step in the right direction.
Remember that Computer Science was once a tiny, poorly-regarded field within EE. It'll take some well-respected work (and maybe a change in title) before a Bachelor of XYZZY in Game Development means anything positive.
We're indie. We're working on our 14th game.
I'm assuming that this will directly translate to more beer, bigger boobs and bigger guns in my new games.
the games program is part of the overall interactive media division at the Cinema School. Currently, there are a number of game projects being developed, but the games lab will be built over the summer, and the track will officially start next semester (Fall 04)