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{{Short description|Division within the USC School of Cinematic Arts}}
The [[University of Southern California]]'s [[USC School of Cinematic Arts|School of Cinematic Arts]]'s '''Interactive Media & Games Division''' first accepted M.F.A. students in 2002. The division currently offers both undergraduate (B.A.) and graduate (M.F.A.) programs in interactive media and game design. The programs include courses in game design, development, audio, animation, and user research as well as experimental work in gestural and immersive interfaces, transmedia design, and interactive cinema.<ref>[https://cinema.usc.edu/interactive/degrees.cfm Degrees Information at USC SCA site], Cinema.usc.edu/interactive</ref>
The [[University of Southern California]]'s [[USC School of Cinematic Arts|School of Cinematic Arts]]'s '''Interactive Media & Games Division''' first accepted M.F.A. students in 2002. The division currently offers both undergraduate (B.F.A.) and graduate (M.F.A. and M.S.) programs in interactive media and game design, as well as B.F.A. programs in game art and themed entertainment and an M.A. in media, games and health. The programs include courses in game design, game development, production, audio, animation, and user research as well as experimental work in gestural and immersive interfaces, transmedia design, and interactive cinema.<ref>[https://cinema.usc.edu/interactive/index.cfm Degrees Information at USC SCA site] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121126031615/https://cinema.usc.edu/interactive/degrees.cfm |date=2012-11-26 }}, cinema.usc.edu/interactive</ref>


In 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015, USC was named as the number-one design program for games in North America by the Princeton Review.<ref>[http://www.princetonreview.com/game-design-press-release.aspx Top Video Game Design Press Release], Princeton Review, March 11, 2014</ref>
From 2010-2015 and 2017-2022, USC was named as the number-one design program for games in North America by the Princeton Review.<ref>[https://www.princetonreview.com/press/game-design-press-release-2022 Top Video Game Design Press Release], Princeton Review, March 22, 2022</ref>


Major funders of the USC IMGD include [[Microsoft]] and [[Electronic Arts]], both of which companies have endowed faculty positions in the program.<ref>[http://www.thewrap.com/media/article/microsoft-endows-gaming-initiative-usc-21843 Microsoft Endows Gaming Initiative at USC], The Wrap, October 19, 2010</ref><ref>[http://money.cnn.com/2005/02/08/technology/ea_chair/index.htm Electronic Arts endows chair at USC's School of Cinema-Television for interactive gaming studies], CNN Money, Feb 8, 2005</ref> Game industry executive [[Bing Gordon]] was the first holder of the Electronic Arts Endowed Chair in Interactive Entertainment, which is currently held by game designer [[Tracy Fullerton]].<ref>[http://www.usc.edu/uscnews/stories/16088.html Fullerton Installed as Endowed Professor], USC news, Dec. 17, 2008</ref> The Microsoft Endowed Professorship is held by user research pioneer Dennis Wixon.<ref>[http://news.usc.edu/#!/article/41830/wixon-installed-as-microsoft-endowed-professor-at-sca/ Wixon installed as Microsoft Endowed Professor at SCA], USC news, Sept. 25, 2012</ref>
Major funders of the USC IMGD include [[Microsoft]] and [[Electronic Arts]], both of which companies have endowed faculty positions in the program.<ref>[http://www.thewrap.com/media/article/microsoft-endows-gaming-initiative-usc-21843 Microsoft Endows Gaming Initiative at USC], The Wrap, October 19, 2010</ref><ref>[https://money.cnn.com/2005/02/08/technology/ea_chair/index.htm Electronic Arts endows chair at USC's School of Cinema-Television for interactive gaming studies], CNN Money, Feb 8, 2005</ref> Game industry executive [[Bing Gordon]] was the first holder of the Electronic Arts Endowed Chair in Interactive Entertainment, which is currently held by game designer [[Tracy Fullerton]].<ref>[http://www.usc.edu/uscnews/stories/16088.html Fullerton Installed as Endowed Professor] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012105610/http://www.usc.edu/uscnews/stories/16088.html |date=2012-10-12 }}, USC news, Dec. 17, 2008</ref> The Microsoft Endowed Professorship is held by user research pioneer Dennis Wixon.<ref>[http://news.usc.edu/#!/article/41830/wixon-installed-as-microsoft-endowed-professor-at-sca/ Wixon installed as Microsoft Endowed Professor at SCA], USC news, Sept. 25, 2012</ref>


In 2012, the school announced plans for a new building to house the Interactive Media program and associated research labs, including the Game Innovation Lab.<ref>[http://dailytrojan.com/2012/04/04/new-building-to-house-interactive-media/ New building to house interactive media], Daily Trojan, April 4, 2012</ref> In early 2013, Tracy Fullerton, the Electronic Arts Endowed Chair of Interactive Media, announced that the division, formerly known as the Interactive Media Division, was renamed the Interactive Media & Games Division to "honor the groundbreaking work in games that our faculty and students have produced in the decade since our division was formed."<ref>[http://interactive.usc.edu/2013/03/07/imd-gets-a-new-name-to-honor-our-love-of-games/ Tracy Fullerton's Blog Post, IMGD Website, March 7, 2013]</ref>
In 2012, the school announced plans for a new building to house the Interactive Media program and associated research labs, including the Game Innovation Lab.<ref>[http://dailytrojan.com/2012/04/04/new-building-to-house-interactive-media/ New building to house interactive media], Daily Trojan, April 4, 2012</ref> In early 2013, Tracy Fullerton, the Electronic Arts Endowed Chair of Interactive Media, announced that the division, formerly known as the Interactive Media Division, was renamed the Interactive Media & Games Division to "honor the groundbreaking work in games that our faculty and students have produced in the decade since our division was formed."<ref>[http://interactive.usc.edu/2013/03/07/imd-gets-a-new-name-to-honor-our-love-of-games/ Tracy Fullerton's Blog Post, IMGD Website, March 7, 2013]</ref>


In 2013, alumni [[Jenova Chen]] and [[Kellee Santiago]], founders of [[thatgamecompany]] were honored with multiple awards for Game of the Year, Game Direction, Innovation, and Game Design for their game [[Journey (2012 video game)|Journey (2012)]].<ref>[http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/winners/index.html 13th Annual Game Developers Choice Awards]</ref>
In 2013, alumni [[Jenova Chen]] and [[Kellee Santiago]], founders of [[thatgamecompany]] were honored with multiple awards for Game of the Year, Game Direction, Innovation, and Game Design for their game [[Journey (2012 video game)|''Journey'' (2012)]].<ref>[http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/winners/index.html 13th Annual Game Developers Choice Awards]</ref>

In 2014, students and [[Kellee Santiago]] from IMGD were recruited to participate in a reality TV game show project that ended with the "indie community ultimately deciding it didn't need to put up with this s***." according to Eurogamer.<ref>https://www.eurogamer.net/game-jam-reality-show-cancelled-as-indies-wouldnt-put-up-with-its-s</ref>


==Projects==
==Projects==
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* [[PMOG]] - A vast social meta-game that can be played by completing missions on the Web.
* [[PMOG]] - A vast social meta-game that can be played by completing missions on the Web.
* ''[[Reality Ends Here]]'' - A pervasive game experience for incoming School of Cinematic Arts freshmen.
* ''[[Reality Ends Here]]'' - A pervasive game experience for incoming School of Cinematic Arts freshmen.
*''[[Journey of Jin]]''
* ''[[Outer Wilds]]''
* ''[[Outer Wilds]]''
* ''[[Chambara (game) |Chambara]]'' - award-winning stealth-action multiplayer game
* ''[[Chambara (video game)|Chambara]]'' - award-winning stealth-action multiplayer game
* ''[[Walden, a game]]'' - award-winning game about Henry David Thoreau


==Personnel==
==Personnel==
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===Faculty & Staff===
===Faculty & Staff===


Currently, the division is chaired by [[Tracy Fullerton]], a game designer and author. Full-time faculty and staff include [[Scott Fisher (technologist)|Scott Fisher]] - founding chair of the division, [[Mark Bolas]], Steve Anderson, [[Richard Lemarchand]], Dennis Wixon, [[Perry Hoberman]], Peter Brinson, William Huber, Marientina Gotsis, [[Andreas Kratky]], Jeff Watson, [[Jen Stein]], Sam Roberts, Akira Thompson and Kurosh ValaNejad. Adjunct Faculty include Laird Malamed, [[Danny Bilson]], Mark Essen, Heather Desurvire, Vincent Diamante, Tom Frisina, Chevon Hicks, Michael Kontopolous, Robert Nashak, Joseph Olin, and Scott Rogers.
Currently, the division is chaired by Danny Bilson, a game producer, writer and former executive. Full-time faculty and staff include [[Tracy Fullerton]], [[Richard Lemarchand]], [[Mark Bolas]], Peter Brinson, Marientina Gotsis, [[Andreas Kratky]], Sam Roberts, Sean Bouchard, Jesse Vigil, Martzi Campos, Todd Furmanski, Lucas Peterson and Timothy Lee. Adjunct faculty include Laird Malamed, Gordon Bellamy, Carl Schnurr, Heather Desurvire, Vincent Diamante, Chevon Hicks, Robert Nashak, and Scott Rogers.


Former faculty and staff include [[Anne Balsamo]], [[Chris Swain (game designer)|Chris Swain]], [[Peggy Weil]], Jeremy Gibson, [[Julian Bleecker]], [[Michael Lew]], [[Erik Loyer]], [[Michael Naimark]], and [[Eddo Stern]].
Former faculty and staff include [[Scott Fisher (technologist)|Scott Fisher]] - founding chair of the division, Jen Stein, [[Steve F. Anderson|Steve Anderson]], [[Anne Balsamo]], [[Chris Swain (game designer)|Chris Swain]], [[Peggy Weil]], Jeremy Gibson, [[Julian Bleecker]], Michael Lew, [[Erik Loyer]], [[Michael Naimark]], [[Eddo Stern]], [[Perry Hoberman]], William Huber, [[Mark Essen]], Akira Thompson, Michael Kontopolous, Joseph Olin, Kurosh ValaNejad, [[Jeff Watson (designer)|Jeff Watson]], Jane Pinckard, and Dennis Wixon.


===Alumni===
===Alumni===
Notable alumni have included the founders of [[thatgamecompany]], including [[Jenova Chen]] and [[Kellee Santiago]]. Also, [[Justin Hall]], [[Matt Korba]] and Paul Bellezza of [[The Odd Gentlemen]], [[Asher Vollmer]] ([[Threes!]]) and [[Sean Plott]] (Day9). [[Elle Schneider]] (developer of the [[Digital Bolex]]) also attended the program.
Notable alumni have include the founders of [[thatgamecompany]], including [[Jenova Chen]] and [[Kellee Santiago]]. Also, [[Justin Hall]], Matt Korba and Paul Bellezza of [[The Odd Gentlemen]], [[Asher Vollmer]] ([[Threes!]]), [[Sean Plott]] (Day9), [[Adam Sulzdorf-Liszkiewicz]] (RUST LTD), and [[Elle Schneider]] (developer of the [[Digital Bolex]]) attended the program.

There are also notable dropouts of the program for example the creator of [[Giant Sparrow]]


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
* [http://interactive.usc.edu/ Interactive Media Division Weblog]
* [http://games.usc.edu/ USC Games homepage]
* [http://games.usc.edu/ USC Games homepage]
* [http://cinema.usc.edu/interactive/ Official Academic Information About the Division]
* [http://cinema.usc.edu/interactive/ Official academic information about the division]
* [http://www.gameinnovationlab.com Game Innovation Lab]
* [http://www.gameinnovationlab.com Game Innovation Lab]


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{{DEFAULTSORT:USC Interactive Media and Games Division}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:USC Interactive Media and Games Division}}
[[Category:Academics of the University of Southern California]]
[[Category:USC Interactive Media & Games Division| ]]
[[Category:Schools of the University of Southern California]]
[[Category:Video game universities]]
[[Category:Video game universities]]
[[Category:USC Interactive Media & Games Division|*]]

Latest revision as of 00:44, 30 June 2024

The University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts's Interactive Media & Games Division first accepted M.F.A. students in 2002. The division currently offers both undergraduate (B.F.A.) and graduate (M.F.A. and M.S.) programs in interactive media and game design, as well as B.F.A. programs in game art and themed entertainment and an M.A. in media, games and health. The programs include courses in game design, game development, production, audio, animation, and user research as well as experimental work in gestural and immersive interfaces, transmedia design, and interactive cinema.[1]

From 2010-2015 and 2017-2022, USC was named as the number-one design program for games in North America by the Princeton Review.[2]

Major funders of the USC IMGD include Microsoft and Electronic Arts, both of which companies have endowed faculty positions in the program.[3][4] Game industry executive Bing Gordon was the first holder of the Electronic Arts Endowed Chair in Interactive Entertainment, which is currently held by game designer Tracy Fullerton.[5] The Microsoft Endowed Professorship is held by user research pioneer Dennis Wixon.[6]

In 2012, the school announced plans for a new building to house the Interactive Media program and associated research labs, including the Game Innovation Lab.[7] In early 2013, Tracy Fullerton, the Electronic Arts Endowed Chair of Interactive Media, announced that the division, formerly known as the Interactive Media Division, was renamed the Interactive Media & Games Division to "honor the groundbreaking work in games that our faculty and students have produced in the decade since our division was formed."[8]

In 2013, alumni Jenova Chen and Kellee Santiago, founders of thatgamecompany were honored with multiple awards for Game of the Year, Game Direction, Innovation, and Game Design for their game Journey (2012).[9]

In 2014, students and Kellee Santiago from IMGD were recruited to participate in a reality TV game show project that ended with the "indie community ultimately deciding it didn't need to put up with this s***." according to Eurogamer.[10]

Projects

[edit]

Personnel

[edit]

Faculty & Staff

[edit]

Currently, the division is chaired by Danny Bilson, a game producer, writer and former executive. Full-time faculty and staff include Tracy Fullerton, Richard Lemarchand, Mark Bolas, Peter Brinson, Marientina Gotsis, Andreas Kratky, Sam Roberts, Sean Bouchard, Jesse Vigil, Martzi Campos, Todd Furmanski, Lucas Peterson and Timothy Lee. Adjunct faculty include Laird Malamed, Gordon Bellamy, Carl Schnurr, Heather Desurvire, Vincent Diamante, Chevon Hicks, Robert Nashak, and Scott Rogers.

Former faculty and staff include Scott Fisher - founding chair of the division, Jen Stein, Steve Anderson, Anne Balsamo, Chris Swain, Peggy Weil, Jeremy Gibson, Julian Bleecker, Michael Lew, Erik Loyer, Michael Naimark, Eddo Stern, Perry Hoberman, William Huber, Mark Essen, Akira Thompson, Michael Kontopolous, Joseph Olin, Kurosh ValaNejad, Jeff Watson, Jane Pinckard, and Dennis Wixon.

Alumni

[edit]

Notable alumni have include the founders of thatgamecompany, including Jenova Chen and Kellee Santiago. Also, Justin Hall, Matt Korba and Paul Bellezza of The Odd Gentlemen, Asher Vollmer (Threes!), Sean Plott (Day9), Adam Sulzdorf-Liszkiewicz (RUST LTD), and Elle Schneider (developer of the Digital Bolex) attended the program.

There are also notable dropouts of the program for example the creator of Giant Sparrow

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Degrees Information at USC SCA site Archived 2012-11-26 at the Wayback Machine, cinema.usc.edu/interactive
  2. ^ Top Video Game Design Press Release, Princeton Review, March 22, 2022
  3. ^ Microsoft Endows Gaming Initiative at USC, The Wrap, October 19, 2010
  4. ^ Electronic Arts endows chair at USC's School of Cinema-Television for interactive gaming studies, CNN Money, Feb 8, 2005
  5. ^ Fullerton Installed as Endowed Professor Archived 2012-10-12 at the Wayback Machine, USC news, Dec. 17, 2008
  6. ^ Wixon installed as Microsoft Endowed Professor at SCA, USC news, Sept. 25, 2012
  7. ^ New building to house interactive media, Daily Trojan, April 4, 2012
  8. ^ Tracy Fullerton's Blog Post, IMGD Website, March 7, 2013
  9. ^ 13th Annual Game Developers Choice Awards
  10. ^ https://www.eurogamer.net/game-jam-reality-show-cancelled-as-indies-wouldnt-put-up-with-its-s
[edit]

34°01′26″N 118°16′45″W / 34.02400°N 118.27919°W / 34.02400; -118.27919

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