Public Gaming Symposium to be Held at Hampshire College

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Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Derek McLean, GoLocalWorcester Reporter

Local gaming enthusiasts are invited to take part in a public gaming symposium this Thursday in Amherst.

The symposium called, Digital Games: Playing in the Valley, will feature leaders from the video game industry, academia and government to discuss games, entrepreneurship, education, and economic development.

The open-to-the-public symposium is hosted by the Education Development Center of Western Massachusetts, The Massachusetts Digital Games Institute and Hampshire College. Panelists will focus on the topics of building a game company outside a major urban hub, games in education and “gamification.”

“People who want to learn more about digital and video game design and the game industry will hear from academics and professionals as well as from public officials,” said Paul Dickson, Hampshire College computer science professor and the symposium organizer.

The Harold F. Johnson Library at Hampshire College

Dickson has a number of students that are involved in game design and development, a reason why the symposium is being held at Hampshire College.

The co-hosts include Congressman James McGovern, Lt. Governor Timothy Murray, as well as representatives from several Western Mass gaming companies including HitPoint Studios, Pileated Pictures, and Anzovin Studios.

“Massachusetts, and the Pioneer Valley in particular, has witnessed great energy and activity within the digital games industry over the last few years,” said lt. Governor Murray. “We are excited by the growth of the digital games industry, and the potential it brings for jobs and opportunity in this region and across the Commonwealth.”

The Massachusetts digital games cluster employs, directly and indirectly, nearly 4,000 people at over 75 companies with gross industry revenue figures estimated at as much as $2 billion, according to Hampshire College. There are over 20 Massachusetts colleges and universities, including Hampshire, MIT and Becker College which offer majors or courses in game design and development.

The symposium will be held at Franklin Patterson Hall on the campus of Hampshire College at 893 West St. in Amherst beginning at 12:30 p.m. The event is free, but seating is limited. To reserve a seat visit the symposium website.