专访505Games亚太区副总裁Thomas Rosenthal：一所专门培养游戏人才的大学是什么样的？(11)

•Alberto Barbati – Nacon Studio Milan – Game Programmer –– Worked on Theseus, Joe Dever’s Lone Wolf, Splinter Cell: Double Agent, Beyond Good & Evil

•Enric Alvarez – Mercury Steam – Owner & Game Director – Worked on Metroid Dread, Castelvania Series

Q：What is the talent training system of the academy? What are the main abilities students needs learn?

Geoff Davis： We use a hands-on, practical and collaborative approach to learning. We believe the most effective way to learn to game development, whether it’s game design, programming or game art, is to create, analyze, iterate and polish. In fact, we simulate a real software house environment where the students apply what they have learned in individual and team projects. We apply the same dynamics and production pipelines they will face when they start working in a development studio.

Moreover, we train to a “T” in which on the vertical axis they learn the hard skills (e.g. writing game design documents, prototyping, coding in C# or C++, using Unity or Unreal Engine, working in Maya to model, rigging, using Zbrush, etc.) and on the horizontal axis they delve into the interpersonal skills that are fundamental for working in a team, effective communication, body language, presenting oneself, resolving conflict, giving and receiving feedback, etc. We strive to get them to sit comfortably at the juncture between the two axis’s. We firmly believe that true talent is able to create a balance between the two. Of course, this is a life long process, but we want to assist them in getting on the right track from the beginning.

We also believe in peer-to-peer learning. We created a “buddy system” where students work side-by-side and mentor each other during the courses.

At the core of all our programs is the idea that we need to provide all the tools a person will need to get a job and start a career in the industry.

Q：How does the academy appraise students and what are the graduation requirements ?

Geoff Davis： We have a rigorous appraisal system. Throughout the courses we verify their knowledge through exams. These can be written exams or individual project tests. Awareness if you have consolidated your knowledge is important for the students and for us so we can mentor and coach them in the right direction.

We also appraise each project, much like a development studio would, from a technical standpoint. This is an in-depth analysis of each component of each area of the project.