Champlain College Celebrates 20th Anniversary of Game Studio Programs
Drumroll, please! Champlain College is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its pioneering game development major.
As the first college in New England to offer a dedicated game program, Champlain has evolved its offering into a comprehensive Game Studio Experience, maintaining its position at the forefront of game education. The Game Studio 20th Anniversary Celebration will recognize this important milestone during Champlain Weekend on October 25–26, which includes a slate of playable student-created games from over the years, guest speakers, and studio memorabilia.
To date, Champlain College’s Game Studio Experience has graduated more than 1,100 students. Many have gone on to work for major game studios, including Apple, Bend Studios, Blizzard, Boeing, Bungie, Disney, EA, Insomniac, Microsoft, Nintendo, Riot, Sega, Sony, Ubisoft, Zenimax, and more.
Champlain College’s innovative game education has evolved with the industry, expanding its focus on game design to programming, to art, to the full-fledged Game Studio Experience you see today. Students learn all aspects of development from industry-veteran faculty in a studio setting, working in collaborative groups to create games from concept to completion.
Champlain’s bachelor’s degree in Electronic Game & Interactive Development launched in 2004. Over the next two decades, the program grew into an agile interdisciplinary Game Studio Experience with seven degrees that include Game Art, Game Business & Publishing, Game Design, Game Production Management, Game Programming, Game Sound Design, and Interactive Narrative for Games & Digital Media. Students begin building games in their first year and graduate with a comprehensive portfolio that includes a complete, published game.
“A lot has changed in the game industry over the last 20 years, from console wars to the rise of PC and mobile gaming, alongside substantial technological advancements,” said Jessie Gagnon, chair of the Game Studio Experience. “Champlain’s Game Studio has been a leader in adapting game-focused education to ensure our students are prepared to contribute at their workplace on day one. It’s our collaborative, interdisciplinary, agile approach which emulates a real game studio that’s been our secret to success over the last two decades.”
The program is led by a faculty of video game industry veterans who have worked on games like Doom, Dauntless, Halo, League of Legends, Elder Scrolls Online, and the Medal of Honor series. Faculty bring a wealth of real-world experience to the classroom, providing hands-on instruction as students develop their skills in disciplines vital to the video game industry, including art, music, design, programming, production, entrepreneurship, and more.
“Champlain College’s Game Studio gave me space to explore my passion and aptitudes, and find my niche in the diverse games industry,” said Jen Carlin ’19, who works for Insomniac Games and is an adjunct professor at Champlain. “The Advanced Seminar in Game Art course is structured for independent study, which allowed me to practice my skills and develop the portfolio that landed me an internship and eventually a career at Insomniac Games. I’m honored to have had the opportunity to give back to Champlain and teach that class.” Carlin will share her expertise and advice at Saturday’s Game Studio Alumni Panel during Champlain Weekend.
Celebrate with Us!
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Attend Champlain WeekendJoin us for the Game Studio Experience 20th anniversary celebration, along with other fun Champlain Weekend activities!
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Anniversary MerchCelebrate the Game Studio Experience and order one-of-a-kind 20th anniversary merch! Options include sweatshirts, T-shirts, and mugs.
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Feeling charitable?Make a gift to support the Game Developers Conference (GDC) Scholarship Fund. Your support will help students attend the conference and provide great networking opportunities.
In The News
Read an exciting, in-depth write up of the Game Studio 20th Anniversary in Seven Days, featuring our “Another History: Alternative Stories in Game Development” exhibit in the Champlain College Art Gallery.
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