A ground-breaking computer games competition run by Abertay University in Dundee should be used as a template for training the UK’s next generation of video games developers, a major new report has claimed.
Independent think-tank, the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA), has produced the report that warns a skills shortage is threatening the success of the video games industry in the UK.
Culture secretary, Ed Vaizey, commissioned the report from creative industries experts, Ian Livingstone and Alex Hope, last year.
They have delivered a warning about the risks facing the sector caused by the skills gap, which they say must be “tackled urgently” to stop the industry withering on the vine.
Although the successful games sector is already worth £2 billion a year, the UK is now only the world’s sixth biggest producer of games down from third place just two years ago.
The review states that Abertay’s Dare to be Digital competition, which gives students the chance to develop games in a work environment while receiving support from industry experts, must be replicated across the country.
And it claims a shake-up of the entire education system to encourage more people into the games industry could lead to an additional £1 billion of sales by 2014.
The report, which was launched in London, states, “Abertay has built on the workplace simulation experience from Dare to be Digital to develop its Master of Professional Practice, currently offered at the Centre for Excellence in Computer Games Education.
“Students enrolled in the course work on practical projects and are mentored by industry professionals with projects presented routinely to industry audiences for evaluation.”
The university’s workplace simulation programme was also praised.System failingHowever, the report warns the education system is not preparing children properly for careers in the games industry and that more emphasis must be put on maths and physics from a young age.
It also calls for computer science to form part of the core curriculum.
The report adds, “The sad truth is that we are already starting to lose our cutting edge in just two years the UK’s video games industry has dipped from third to sixth place in the global development rankings.
“That is mainly a failing of our education system from schools to universities and it needs to be tackled urgently if we are to remain globally competitive.”
Paul Durrant, director of business development at Abertay University, attended yesterday’s launch in London.
He said, “We are delighted to see the review strongly support Abertay’s model of working hand-in-hand with industry to give students the skills they need to make a real contribution to the creative economy.”
Dr Louis Natanson, academic director of the Institute for Arts, Media and Computer Games at Abertay, said, “Abertay has always stressed how difficult computer games development is it requires incredibly high level maths and physics skills, as well as complex art, programming, team-working and management abilities.
“At Abertay we work directly with companies to ensure our graduates can step straight into jobs and make a very real, immediate contribution. We look forward to continuing this work with all our partners right across this exciting, growing industry.”
Abertay University launched the world’s first computer games technology degree in 1997 and runs the UK Centre for Excellence in Computer Games Education.
Report author, Ian Livingston, said, “We need to transform young people’s passion to play video games into a desire to make them, whilst equipping them with the right skills.
“In the brave new online world, a second ‘golden age’ for the UK games industry beckons. It’s an opportunity which shouldn’t be missed.”
Photo used under Creative Commons licence courtesy of Flickr user wodi.