Chapman University to host 4th Annual Gaming Showcase

University student gamers from all over Southern California invited to showcase their games for industry judges

 

Chapman University will host the Fourth Annual Showcase of student video games representing colleges and universities in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. This gaming showcase will take place May 9 at Chapman’s campus in Orange, CA. The event is put on by The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Orange County Computer Society’s Game Special Interest Group, and is judged by industry leaders, with Phil Adam, co-founder of Spectrum HoloByte serving as Master of Ceremonies.

Some 50 student teams – totaling some 150 students – from Southland universities are expected to submit games via YouTube videos for the showcase. Judges will select 10 teams as finalists who will present their games to the industry panel of judges at the showcase; while all the participating teams will be on hand at tables to demonstrate their games at the May 9 event.

“The gaming industry is bigger than the film industry, not only in terms of budget and sales, but also in anticipation of a release,” said Michael Fahy, Ph.D., Associate Dean of Schmid College of Science and Technology and organizing Committee Chair for the Game Showcase. “Often the winners at this showcase go on to open their own game studio or get a job with a gaming company.”

The teams will compete to be recognized for their technical, artistic, and narrative achievements. The event is organized and run by volunteers from the professional and academic community and allows students to demonstrate their skillset to industry experts while forging stronger relationships between industry and academia.

“Computer games can push the hardware and software to their limits,” continued Dr. Fahy. “Working in a collaborative environment to develop a game gives the students valuable preparation for a STEM career, and these showcases can serve as a stepping stone to that career.”

This year’s industry judges include: Bill Fisher, president Quicksilver Software; Brandii Grace, co-founder Versus Gaming Network; ‘Fargo’ Kosak, World of Warcraft lead narrative designer; Jeff Luke, director of WayForward; Shaene Siders, technology writer and consultant; Jonny Ebbert, Lead Console Designer for Diablo III, and Senior Designer on Starcraft and Heroes of the Storm, Dave Taylor, developer of the iconic games Doom and Quake, and Scott Rogers, a Walt Disney Imagineer who has worked on games including Pac-Man World, the Maximo series, God of War, Drawn to Life and Darksiders.

Industry sponsors include: Microsemi, IBM, Western Digital, Grise Media, and SymPlay.

About IEEE OC GameSIG

Founded in 2006, it is the IEEE Orange County Chapter’s special interest group in computer games. It boasts as its members leaders in the OC video game industry and leading academics.

About IEEE

IEEE, the world’s largest technical professional association, is dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. Through its highly cited publications, conferences, technology standards, and professional and educational activities, IEEE is the trusted voice on a wide variety of areas ranging from aerospace systems, computers and telecommunications to biomedical engineering, electric power and consumer electronics.

About Chapman University

Consistently ranked among the top universities in the West, Chapman University provides a uniquely personalized and interdisciplinary educational experience to highly qualified students. Our programs encourage innovation, creativity and collaboration, and focus on developing global citizen-leaders who are distinctively prepared to improve their community and their world. Visit www.chapman.edu.

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