College degree in computer games aims to console techno teenagers

TEENAGERS, are you fed up with hearing that you’re wasting your time on “that computer”? Tired of being asked how “all those music gadgets are going to get you a job”?

Here’s a new weapon for the fightback — a degree course, the mention of which should be enough to quieten (and baffle) those pesky parents.

Luddites may mourn the fate of the PlayStation generation, but there will be much to stimulate those of a techie bent at the new BSc (Hons) in Entertainment Systems at Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT).

News of a recession may prompt some to question the wisdom of launching such a course at this delicate time in Ireland’s economic rollercoaster, but those in the know assure us that the jobs are there in the technology sector — it’s the qualified people they are lacking.

If in doubt, recently published figures suggest the Irish gaming and entertainment industry will be worth almost €2 billion by the end of next year.

Meanwhile, those raised on the gaming “dinosaurs” of Donkey Kong, Mr Do and Space Invaders will no doubt wonder why they couldn’t have been born 15 years later.

Getting trained in games development and music technology with a view to lucrative employment will bring to mind for some of a certain generation, the episode of Cheers in which Norm gets a job as a beer-taster, and then realises he actually gets paid for it.

And yes, there are Sony PlayStations involved in the games development module, along with Torque, Havok Physics and 3d Studio Max.

That’s if those complicated-sounding names weren’t just made up and thrown into the mix to impress sceptics.

According to the people behind the new degree course in Waterford, it will be a mixture of science and art and should appeal to creative types who want to grain practical IT skills — currently in hot demand both in Ireland and around the world.

WIT computer science lecturer Karl Sandison explains the science bit behind the games: “Students will study subject areas such as games design and theory, programming, maths, physics, game AI, console development, and graphics,” he said.

“There’s a lot of maths in games development and students planning to pursue this programme should realise this.”

So, disappointingly, it’s not all about sitting around a screen, joystick-in-hand.

A clue as to one of the influences for the course comes via Mr Sandison’s expression of gratitude to Sony Computer Entertainment Europe for their “guidance and support”.

Joint course leader Robert O’Connor is the driving force behind the music technology thematic area.

“In music technology, subject areas include audio recording and production, multimedia programming, sequencing, synchronisation and basic music theory. Tools include Ableton Live, Pro Tools, Reason, Max.”

Seems a long way from those Roland keyboards much-loved by the kids from Fame.

The programme, which is direct-entry and not handled through the CAO, includes a 12-month work placement in third year, where students gain practical experience in the workplace and have a chance to impress potential employers.

* www.wit.ie