Top game designers and producers from major companies including Xbox, Nintendo, Playstation and YouTube Gaming spent time talking to creative IT students from Nelson and Colne College’s BTEC Games Design and Multimedia courses.
The fantastic opportunity took place on a recent trip to the UK’s largest gaming event, the EGX Video Games Conference in Birmingham, and gave first and second year students the chance to see what skills are required to be successful in the games industry.
Universities were also on hand to show what a course in Games Design and Development involves, and there were opportunities to play retro games, as well as games that have not yet been released.
IT lecturer Andrew Ashworth, who attended the event, said: “The students will be using inspiration from the event when designing and creating their own games for their coursework.
“They had a fantastic time learning about various career options and talking to influential figures in the gaming world. Many students were also given some free merchandise from games companies and one student even managed to get a free game signed by top designers!
“Here at Nelson and Colne College we are committed to ensuring students are given enrichment opportunities that will enhance their classroom experience, and, like in this latest venture, are given knowledge from industry experts that can be applied to their future work.”
Dom Redman , 21, a former Colne Park High School student, added: “The event was brilliant – I went to the career areas and was told what I can do in the future after my course. I am looking forward to creating my own game, using what I learnt from the conference.
“At Nelson and Colne College, the opportunities you get are great, and the teachers give you all the help you need!”
For more information about Games Programming and Software Development at Nelson and Colne College contact 01282 440272 or visit www.nelson.ac.uk
