World’s first computer game distance learning course gets industry backing

The world’s first distance learning course, designed to train would be computer games designers and developers, has been launched by UK training specialist Train2Game (T2G). The courses have been written by games industry professionals DR Studios and have received the backing of Tiga, the UK’s national association for games software developers, who will become the independent awarding and examination body for the distance learning courses for video games devised by Train2Game.

The new Train2Game courses enable students to achieve a Tiga Diploma in Games Development and Games Design and are the first ever computer games courses that allow trainees to study in their own time, at their own pace, at home or work.

The Train 2 Game courses are structured in easy to follow modules and cover a comprehensive itinerary of subjects; from technical and programming to modelling, design and marketing, that Train2Game claim is comparable with computer games university degree courses. The courses are competitively priced at around £4,960, thereby potentially offering an affordable route into the games industry.

Richard Wilson, CEO of Tiga, said: “The UK games development industry has some difficulties finding suitably qualified candidates to fill vacancies in their development studios. A Tiga survey of game developers last year showed that 63 per cent of respondents had faced skills shortages over the previous 12 months. Vacancies for programmers were particularly difficult to fill.

“The new Train2Game courses are designed by the industry for the industry and are relevant to current industry needs. Tiga members have an opportunity to provide input into the course content and the exam questions through the Tiga Examinations Committee. We hope that this new industry-led initiative by Train2Game will increase the supply of well-trained, enthusiastic and employable new entrants into the industry.”

Train2Game claim that experienced games developers are now earning on average around £30,000 a year and maintain their courses will equip students with up to date knowledge and skills to enable them to move into the fast-moving computer games industry.

Train2Game’s Marketing Director, Mike Head, said “Leading computer games firms want young people with imagination and vision, who understand games and how to put them together. That doesn’t always equate with academic success or university graduates, yet because a student hasn’t done too well at school or hasn't gone to college, it shouldn’t stop them breaking into something they really want to do and could potentially be very good at, such as games development. We set up Train2Game to bridge that gap.”

For details visit http://www.train2game.com or call 0845 2728799

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PRESS CONTACT: Mary Stuart-Miller, 01403 738844, m.stuart-miller@virgin.net

BACKGROUNDER
Tiga is the national trade association that represents games developers in the UK and in Europe. The association’s members include many of the UK's most successful games development studios, independent games developers and in-house publisher owned developers, as well as outsourcing companies, technology businesses and universities. Tiga represents their interests and works to ensure that the education and skill system meets the needs of the UK games development industry. http://www.Tiga.org

Train2Game offer the world’s first distance learning computer games developer and games design courses – designed by the industry....for the industry.

As the UK’s most successful Distance learning college, Train2Game will set the standard for Games Design and Development education, through step by step, easy to follow guides that will ensure students gain the necessary skills and experience to help them create the next ‘global blockbuster’. Train2Game will provide a valuable insight into the multi billion dollar computer games industry engaging only the best educators such that its courses reflect the latest technologies, information & teaching principles relevant to the games industry of today.

Hamilton House, 80-88 Collingdon Street, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 1RX

This release was published on openPR.