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Warren Spector gets a new job: Director of UT Austin's Gaming Academy
Deus Ex creator Warren Spector has been named director of The University of Texas at Austin's Denius-Sams Gaming Academy, a development-focused post-baccalaureate program that will launch in the fall of next year. Spector was one of the first industry veterans who signed on as part of the Academy, joining Blizzard COO Paul Sams, Ultima creator Richard Garriott, EA CCO Richard Hilleman, and BioWare co-founder Greg Zeschuk. Only 20 candidates will be selected for the program's first semester, and the first batch of incoming students will receive a tuition waiver and a $10,000 housing stipend. Spector's career shift follows up on the recent shuttering of Disney Interactive Studios subsidiary Junction Point Studios, a team that Spector co-founded. Prior to its closure, Junction Point developed the 2010 Wii release Epic Mickey and last year's Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two.
University of Texas and Blizzard COO Paul Sams launch game design academy
If you're looking to go pro in game design, Blizzard COO Paul Sams has teamed up with the University of Texas at Austin to create the Denius-Sams Gaming Academy. The academy will be led and taught by gaming industry executives and the curriculum will be guided by industry veteran Warren Spector. The 12-month, post-baccalaureate program will guide students through creating a game from start to finish, giving them the experience they need to join the gaming industry when they graduate. "The University of Texas at Austin has a tremendous track record of building nationally recognized programs that generate the leaders and critical thinkers the gaming industry needs," Sams said. "The program will focus on building the skills required for students to lead teams and develop games from concept to completion, while growing talent for the gaming industry." The program starts in 2014, but with only 20 spots available, you probably have a better chance of getting into a competitive raid guild.
Warren Spector, Blizzard COO to lead University of Texas game program
Developer Warren Spector and Blizzard Entertainment COO Paul Sams will help oversee a new gaming academy being put into place at the University of Texas at Austin. The Denius-Sams Gaming Academy, named after co-founders Wofford Denius, Sams and his wife, will begin in 2014 with only 20 spots for students, and will award a postbaccalaureate certificate rather than a graduate degree, which the school says will help it remain industry-focused. Spector, the creator of Deus Ex and the Disney Epic Mickey series, will put together the curriculum, which will include a 12-month intensive program where students will make a game themselves. Students selected for admission will also get a tuition waiver and a $10,000 stipend for fees and housing expenses. The program will begin next fall.
