University of Southern California students will have more reasons to spend their time playing video games. The university’s School of Cinema-Television will partner with publisher Electronic Arts to launch an M.F.A .in video game design, beginning in the fall of 2004.
The venture includes a multimillion dollar gift from EA to fund an endowed professorship, as well as a collaboration on curriculum design, visiting professors and job placements for students. EA’s president of worldwide studios Don Mattrick will join the school’s Board of Councilors, which already includes Jeffrey Katzenberg, Steven Spielberg and John Wells.
EA’s gift will also help the school expand its graduate program in interactive media into the video game arena. In addition, plans include establishing a research lab, integrating courses and faculty from engineering and other related departments and setting up student internships. For more information about the USC School of Cinema-Television, visit www-cntv.usc.edu.
