Why Esports Matters
For business students, this program provides the nuance and insight into the gaming industry that will make them extremely competitive when seeking careers in that field. For Game Development students, adding Gaming Administration gives them a better understanding of the business process behind games and puts them into position to one day open their own studio.
- Esports focused - This is one of the few programs in the country that prepares students for roles in esports
- Real-world experience - Students in this program will have the opportunity to intern at game development studios and corporations in business roles, and work hands-on with Esports companies
- Connected - Due to the IGDA’s network, students will have the opportunity to make contacts at big-name studios like Nintendo, Bungie, EA, and Valve
Experts & Contributors
Renee Gittins, Executive Director- IGDA, Forbes 30 under 30 - Renee Gittins is the Executive Director of the International Game Developers Association. Because of her dual roles as chair of a developer’s association, and studio head (Stumbling Cat), Renee has a sharp understanding of the tensions that often exist between business and development roles within the games industry. Her understanding of this tension directly informed the managerial skills conveyed throughout this curriculum.
Thomas O’Connor, Studio Director - PlayEveryWare, Thomas O’Connor is the studio director of PlayEveryWare, a game studio in Seattle best known for their work porting games between systems. Tom’s expertise in understanding the business side of the games industry was vital in determining which learning objectives to include in Convention, Event, and Trade Show Planning, as well as Production in the Games Industry and Distribution of Games.
Curriculum Highlights
The program includes most of the core business classes, plus a few specialty classes like:
- Introduction to Esports Management
- Convention, Event, and Tradeshow Planning
- Distribution of Games
- Introduction to Games
