Virginia university to offer the first degree combining game design and sports

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May 22, 2014

Starting this fall, students at George Mason University can earn a minor in "Sport and Computer Game Design," the Virginia educational institution announced this week. The minor is said to be the first of its kind. The program combines George Mason's sports management and computer game design programs, and the school says having this degree on a resume will help students find a career in the game industry when they graduate.

"For students who have interest in sports and passion in sports and who never had an opportunity to pursue it in college, this gives them an opportunity to take that knowledge and passion and combine it with an interest in game design,” founding director of George Mason's Simulation and Game Institute, Scott Martin, said in a statement.

George Mason's sports management and computer game design departments pooled their ideas together to come up with a course catalog that aims to provide students with an introductory look at both the sports and computer game industries. The school says students can combine their passion for sports and video games to create not just entertainment, but also tools to be used for analysis, training, and teaching. An example provided was a mobile or PC game that teaches football players how to tackle safely so they can avoid injury.

The school adds that the potential for future applications is "endless."

To earn a degree in Sport and Computer Game Design, you're required to take GAME 210: Basic Game Design and SPMT 201: Introduction to Sport Management, and also earn 12 electives credits. Some of the choices include GAME 230: History of Computer Game Design, SPMT 405: Sport Venues and Events, and GAME 232: Online and Mobile Gaming. You can see a full breakdown of what's required to earn a minor in Sport and Computer Game Design at George Mason's website.