First, we knew that Video Gaming is a bigger industry than Hollywood - a $10 billion-a-year industry.



Now, this industry will need more prefessionals. Earlier, one developer could mentor a handful of workers. Now, games can cost $10 million to develop and require 200 workers. One also needs managerial competency apart from technical expertise.



More and more colleges are offering gaming courses nowadays.





Highlights of these courses:

Animation I, Cognition & Gaming and Computer Music are being offered as part of the year-old minor in game studies at RPI, one of dozens of schools that have added courses or degree programs related to video gaming in recent years.



The University of Washington offers a certificate in game design.



The Art Institute of Phoenix gives a bachelor of arts in game art and design.



The University of Pennsylvania has a master’s in computer graphics and game technology.





Students are also taught the psychology of play, system dynamics and game theory. Students are also taught to appreciate the interplay of mechanics, dynamics and aesthetics all of which make a video game work.



Students are also taught about the social and emotional aspects of gaming.





Sample A Course at RPI