Expand your game development education with “The Guildhall”

by Louis Bedigian

Southern Methodist University has launched a new game development school called The Guildhall, asking its students to “practice today and innovate tomorrow.” 

Earlier this year, Southern Methodist University was proud to announce that they had created a new school based solely around game development.  This news was so huge that you couldn’t turn on a cable news channel or even The Tonight Show with Jay Leno without hearing about SMU’s big announcement.

Intended for extremely skilled individuals and those who want to further their learning experience, The Guildhall is an 18-month long game development certification program offered by the Hart eCenter at SMU.  Students will work over the 18-month period to create three games for their portfolios.

This is the first game development school in North America that brings students together with the people who inspire them.  In early July, John Carmack (creator Doom) addressed students on the first day of class.  Graeme Devine, Tom Hall, Paul Jaquays and John Romero also spoke at the event.

Professor Peter E. Raad, Hart eCenter Director and Guildhall Managing Director, welcomes new applicants with a message on The Guildhall Web site: “The Guildhall Digital Game Development program is truly novel and exciting!  It has been developed through the collaboration of industry luminaries and academic leaders in direct response to the needs of the digital game community.”

He continues, “SMU brings a long-standing tradition of academic excellence to the educational discipline of the 21st century - digital game development.  Dallas has been at the heart of the digital game industry, with many world-renowned luminaries working in the Dallas Metroplex, or tracing their roots back to it.  Working hand-in-hand, we have designed, from the ground up, an innovative accredited educational program based on progressive pedagogical philosophies that combine theory and practice in a just-in-time learning environment.  And, we have done so at a world-class institution of higher learning.”

The guildhall is currently accepting applications for the January 2004 term.  The deadline is September 19, so don’t delay.  Interested applicants can sign up here.

GameZone recently spoke with Professor Raad about The Guildhall to find out more. 

First off, tell us why The Guildhall is important and why prospective game developers should take the program seriously.

Peter E. Raad: One important signal that a new social phenomenon has given rise to a profession is the growing need for practitioners who are both skilled in their subject’s technology and well versed in its theory. Eventually, academia responds by developing a suitable formal discipline.

The game industry now calls for 5000 new professionals every year. We responded to that call by creating this program. At The Guildhall, we have created an academic discipline for game development because the industry has clearly signaled their immediate and urgent need for these professionals. Our students are being prepared to practice today and innovate tomorrow.

Specifically, what kinds of classes are involved? What kinds of skills and techniques will students be taught?

PER: We are teaching a broad game-study curriculum which deals with games, game history, the game industry, and the processes of creating, integrating, and delivering games. In addition, each student selects an area of specialization – art creation, level design, or software development – and takes classes specific to his chosen specialization. Over the 18-month period, roughly half the time is in game-study and half in the specialty area. Our course outline is online at http://guildhall.smu.edu/program/course_outline.htm.

How intensive is The Guildhall? How many hours per week should the average student expect to spend studying and going to class?

PER: The Guildhall is intense; intense enough to prepare the student for the pace and intensity of the industry itself. Since the curriculum combines theory and practice and emphasizes a just-in-time learning mode, students spend 30+ hours a week in class and structured activities and are expected to do a level of work outside of class consistent with graduate school. The Guildhall is open to students 24×7. A sample week is online at http://guildhall.smu.edu/program/schedule.htm

Do you have what it takes to work for Sony?

The Guildhall could help you hone the skills you need to get there.

What types of game development programs will students work with?

PER: Obviously it’s important that we teach our students with tools relevant to the game industry, and the industry uses a broad range of them that are similar in concept and purpose but that differ in detail. Our students develop professional-level skills with particular tools (e.g., 3D Studio Max), but are also exposed to other options (e.g., Maya) so that they come to appreciate the range of differences.

Art creation and level design students work heavily with Photoshop and 3D Studio Max. Software developers use Paint Shop Pro, 3D Studio Max, and Visual Studio.Net. All students use MS Project for project management and, of course, MS Office for general use. Level editing is done with those tools that are appropriate to the engine being taught and used.

The Guildhall graduates will walk away with a 3-game portfolio. How does that work? How are students able to create three games in 18 months?

PER: In Term 1, students work in ad hoc teams to produce the elements of a working 2D game. In Term 2, they form more structured project teams to develop a 3D game mod. In Terms 3 and 4, formal student teams produce all the deliverables of an original game as they produce a 3D game total conversion. In Terms 5 and 6, students use all their newly acquired skills to produce an original 3D game.

Is there a specific game genre that The Guildhall emphasizes for game design (sports, FPS, RPG, etc.)?

PER: No. Students are expected to know and understand the trade-offs inherent in building these various game genres, but The Guildhall is interested in educating professionals who can work in every part of the industry, eventually doing new kinds of game development not yet thought of.

What is the background of the teachers? Do any of them have experience working in the video game industry?

PER: Every full time lecturer at The Guildhall is an experienced professional game developer. In addition, industry leaders have been very generous in supporting The Guildhall with their time. Just last week, Graeme Devine, immediate past President of IGDA and recently of id Software, was the guest lecturer at our Wednesday evening Practicum.

Vice City is the kind of game you get when developers don’t mind eating, drinking, breathing and sleeping their work.  You know, I think the artists might have even married the rendering programs.

What are the primary qualities that The Guildhall looks for in a student?

PER: Aspiring Guildhall students demonstrate their potential in the usual ways – strong undergrad performance, good scores and outstanding recommendations. In addition, we ask each Guildhall applicant to submit a portfolio of practical work as part of the application process. Our admissions committee (comprised of both university and industry representatives) then judges a potential student’s talent. We look for students who have the aptitude to succeed in The Guildhall and the desire to succeed in the gaming industry.

After graduating, what kind of a job should graduates expect to attain? What will their daily responsibilities be? On average, how much will they get paid?

PER: The game development industry is still growing and maturing, and roles in game development teams are changing and responsibilities are evolving. That makes it difficult to say exactly what Guildhall graduates will be doing when they leave; however, this program is preparing students to be immediately productive members of game development teams. It is reasonable to expect that Guildhall graduates will get meaningful assignments right away. It is also our hope and expectation that alumni of The Guildhall at SMU will advance in their careers and become the future leaders of the gaming industry.

Game Developer's 2002 salary survey (http://www.igda.org/salary.htm) shows that first year employees can expect to earn about $51,000 per year.

Will Guildhall help its graduates find a job in the gaming industry?

PER: No responsible university can guarantee its students employment after graduation, but on the other hand, successful job placement is an important measure of our success. Our program involves a significant amount of direct interaction between our students and experts from the industry. We believe this is the most effective way to help our graduates cross the bridge from student to active professional. Guildhall students also have available to them all the resources of the SMU career placement office.

Can the skills learned at The Guildhall be applied to other occupations?

PER: Students come to The Guildhall because they wish to become professional game developers; however, the skills and knowledge they acquire have a broad range of applicability. For example, 3D animation is a basic skill in television advertising and entertainment; software development of real-time visualization is an essential element of military and commercial simulation; and the skills of managing and participating in cross-functional skills are applicable in nearly every line of professional work.

How much will each credit hour cost? Will there be any programs for those who need financial aid?

PER: The Guildhall costs $597 per term credit hour. As an accredited graduate program, most students are eligible for a full range of financial aid programs from Founders’ Grants to federal student loans. We encourage interested students to apply without concern for the cost. Every student admitted to The Guildhall receives highly personalized assistance to find ways to finance his or her education and living expenses while in the program.

This may be the only sun a game developer sees, but it sure is beautiful.

Is there a minimum age requirement for The Guildhall?

PER: There is no minimum age requirement, but as a practical matter most Guildhall students have already completed an undergraduate degree and are, therefore, likely to be at least in their early 20’s. We like to point out that there is no maximum age either. We welcome more mature students and career-changers. By the way, we also strongly urge women to consider The Guildhall. Half the people who play games are women and girls, but those who make games are 90% men. We see this as an important opportunity for academic leadership.

Would it be possible to bring Guildhall online, or is the work too involved to learn over the Internet?

PER: The Guildhall at SMU’s foundation with the Linda and Mitch Hart eCenter (http://ecenter.smu.edu) brings with it inherent strengths in using the Internet in the delivery of both traditional and professional education. So, yes, we are seriously considering how we can bring The Guildhall online.

There are important challenges – both technical and pedagogical – to making an online version of The Guildhall, so we won’t do it until we are sure we can provide a high quality of education to online students.

Thank you for your time.

For more information on The Guildhall, visit: http://guildhall.smu.edu/