Game Development Studios
New £250,000 to be opened next week at UK's De Montfort University.
For immediate release: Thursday 23 September
De Montfort University is unveiling its state-of-the-art new Game Development Studios, including HD projectors that enable students to see their work in 3D.
The £250,000 studios, which will be officially opened next Wednesday (29 September) by DMU Vice Chancellor Professor Dominic Shellard, can accommodate up to 60 students and will be used to teach those on the BSc and MSc courses in Computer Games Programming.
The studios, based in the university’s Gateway House building, contain three labs filled with powerful games computers and a ‘Real D’ Passive Stereo 3D system, utilising 2 HD projectors and a four-meter polarised projection screen. This area can transform into a break-out space for students to work in teams.
Computers include Acer Predators, Dell XPSs and Alienware Area 51 ALXs; games consoles and portable games devices, including Xbox 360s, Playstation 3s, Wiis and PSPs, will also be in the labs.
Professor Robert John, Head of the Department of Informatics which runs the Computer Games Programming courses, said: “It is really exciting that students will be able to view their work in 3D.
“The labs are fitted with some of the most powerful games computers available and will allow students to use their creativity to the full.
“We want this to be a space that will not only help them to achieve individual success but will also foster group working and allow them to develop the vital skills that enable them to work as part of a successful team, qualities that will stand them in good stead in their future careers.”
The space was designed to be a flexible teaching environment which can be reconfigured where necessary, ensuring students are always able to make the most of the facilities on offer.
The Computer Games Programming courses are run by DMU’s Faculty of Technology and are designed to provide graduates with the essential skills required by industry.
Unlike many courses in the sector, the BSc provides rigorous training in games programming rather than being a computer science course with games modules added on.
Both the BSc and the MSc utilise the expertise of DMU’s world-leading Centre for Computational Intelligence research group, so students are given invaluable experience in the use of AI in games, an increasingly crucial element of games programming.
Students beginning the BSc this year will have the opportunity to take a new module in Mobile Games where they can learn how to develop games applications for mobile phones such as the iPhone and the Android.
Professor John said: “The games world is constantly evolving and students need to be able to work on a variety of different platforms, from consoles such as the Wii or Xbox 360 to handheld devices such as mobile phones.
“Mobile games are increasingly popular so students who take this module will have the chance to learn about a thriving area of games development.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
For more information please contact the De Montfort University Press and Public Relations Office on 0116 207 8353.
Follow us on Twitter
De Montfort University’s Press Office is now on Twitter. Follow us at www.twitter.com/dmupressoffice
If you would like to be notified whenever a new story about the University is published, sign up to the RSS feed on our Twitter page.