Final year students from Academy of Interactive Entertainment (AIE) were given a great opportunity by Big Ant Studios, one of the largest game developers in Australia, to learn more about how a top Australian games development studio is run.
Big Ant's CEO Ross Symons and Art Director, Adam Briggs were both on hand to answer questions and talk to the students about the current projects and development process at the company.
"I have been fortunate to have worked with many graduates from the AIE in both art and programming disciplines who have become incredibly valuable members of game development teams," said Mr Briggs.
The students also met past AIE graduates including industry-veteran Simon Lissaman, currently working as a concept artist for Big Ant.
Michael Timbrell, a games programming student keen to work in the local games industry, was impressed with Big Ant’s setup.“It’s great to see the final game projects that the AIE Advanced Diploma classes are working on really do mimic the way things are done in the work place" he said.
"It's great for students to see how everything fits together in the real world as part of the training at AIE says AIE's Senior Game Art Teacher, Mark Flanagan. “The skills we teach equip graduates to make games in both big studio and small independent environments." Mark, whose background includes over nine years experience as a games artist, emphasises that "AIE graduates have an advantage in the jobs market through their understanding of the inner workings of games studios, the contacts they have developed and the practical skills they have honed.”
Applications for the February 2010 intake at AIE are now open. All campuses are running information sessions about the courses and application process. For dates and times, visit the website at www.aie.edu.au.
AIE Melbourne is holding information sessions on Tuesday 17th November and Thursday 26th November from 5.30pm until 7pm on campus at Level 8, 14 Queens Rd, Melbourne. For further information phone (03) 9820 8201 or email melbourne@aie.edu.au.
Just want to say that this is
Just want to say that this is great work by Big Ant, if every studio took just a little time to promote the education of future game developers the industry would become far stronger for it.
I just knew that in last year's Education Forum I couldn't help but feel there was an industry reluctance to work closer with universities. Not blatant reluctance, just a bit of the underlying attitude.