Developing Talent for the Video Game Industry in Colombia: Design and Development Issues

Abstract

Video game design is a promising field that transcends the limits of a single discipline. Successful game creators need to understand the intrinsic motivation of game playing, the creative nature of problem solving and risk taking, the critical issues in human-computer interaction using multimedia devices, and the challenges of real-time collaborative and adaptive organic digital environments. Competition in specific niches also requires innovation abilities, strategic thinking, and sound administrative practices. To address this demand, the University of Los Andes in Bogota, Colombia, designed and developed a new post-baccalaureate video game development program (vGAMES certification program). This paper reports on international and national opportunities for people with vGame development talent. It also discusses the curricular and instructional design and implementation considerations involved in constructing a blended, advanced degree program based on these needs. Our program was designed not only for an existing market, but at once for the market we would like to have in some years. Specific needs from our national industry were considered, such as their indie nature, their need to sell their products in global markets, and current opportunities and challenges. The certification program will give students of different backgrounds (graphic designers, developers, and musicians) a deep understanding of technical issues in their field, as well as the necessary management and entrepreneurial tools for this sector. It also capitalizes on authentic problems faced by the video game industry and uses these real world problems as the glue between interdisciplinary coursework