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unanticipated ways. This facility and the resources utilized for its creation will be a national model in public-private partnerships in higher education.”
Putting Together the Pieces While the groundbreaking signifies a major step in the realization of the university’s goals, there are more benchmarks that must be reached quickly for the establishment of a truly excellent program—and reputation—in video game design. With faculty dedicated specifically to the program, university research in intelligent and responsive systems (video games, training systems, and simulation visualizations) and collaborative digital media arts has increased over the past several years, and a minor in digital media focusing on either art or technology has been very successful. The program will graduate its first participants in the spring of 2011, with more than 50 students currently enrolled. However, in order to be considered a true success, the university needs a master’s program—and a highly visible director. “We have taken a somewhat unique approach to developing the curriculum for this master’s program,” said CCT Director Joel Tohline. “In the world of engineering, it’s normal to look at things from the perspective of industry. Programs are often tailored to meet the needs of the industry, so that graduates will be valuable commodities to the field. Because of this, our master’s will be offered through the LSU College of Engineering to better fit its design.”
In order to meet their goal of having identified as “best in class.”The goal of the master’s program fully established these visits is for the working group within one year, the Fall of 2011 to identify best practices and areas of was a particularly busy time for key opportunity for LSU and define course, players in the center. First, the group project, and internship requirements developed the Video Game Design for students pursuing a master’s in Industry Advisory Board, a group video game design. charged with providing high-level “The College of Engineering is feedback and guidance throughout delighted to work with CCT on this the development and implementation program,” said College of Engineering process. Representatives from Dean Richard Koubek. “The strength LED, EA Sports, Baton Rouge Area of Computer Science, Computer Chamber, and other digital mediaEngineering, Electrical Engineering, oriented companies were selected for and other faculty at LSU hold participation. Secondly, LSU developed the potential to make this one of a Video Game Design Working the premier programs nationally. Group composed primarily of faculty Working closely with our partners responsible for developing curriculum to build a stronger Louisiana is the and recruiting/selecting a director essence of the Land Grant mission for the center. This group also visited for LSU described by Chancellor three existing programs currently [Michael] Martin and Provost [Jack] Hamilton.” Finally, the last piece of the puzzle is identifying and then hiring an internationally-renowned program director. The working group will coordinate the search with specific input from their advisory board, and plan to have a candidate in place by August 2012. “The state of Louisiana and the city of Baton Rouge are really looking to LSU, as they have historically, as a critical cog in their recruiting efforts,” said Tohline. “The digital media industry requires expertise across several layers. Companies want to relocate to places where they have access to a qualified pool of talent. That’s what we’re offering here—it’s a service to the state and the industry.” * To see the plans for the Louisiana Digital Media Center, visit aetc.com/louisianadigital-media-center.