Today at the Louisiana Entertainment Summit, Microsoft’s Xbox Game Studios, in partnership with Unity Technologies and economic development organizations Greater New Orleans, Inc., Louisiana Economic Development and New Orleans Business Alliance announced it will host a hands-on game development camp in New Orleans, April 21 – September 24, 2020.
The goal of the Xbox
Game Studios Game Camp Powered by Unity is to inspire adults in the greater New
Orleans region to realize their potential in the gaming industry through unique
learning experiences from industry leaders. The camp is open to aspiring game developers of all
skill levels including artists, musicians, project managers, and individuals
from many other disciplines.
Game Camp
participants will break into teams based on aligned interests and preferred
development platform and work together in a shared studio space to create games
under the guidance of Microsoft and Unity mentors. Xbox Game Studios and program partners will
facilitate workshops on various game development topics throughout the
program. Game Camp will conclude with a
games expo on Sept. 24 where participants will share their games with
established industry professionals.
inXile Games, part of Xbox Game Studios, launched a studio in New
Orleans in 2015 and currently employs more than 40 people locally. Jeff Strain,
studio head for Xbox Game Studios’ Undead Labs, also recently announced plans
to personally fund and create a vocational school focused on video games in the
area.
For more than a decade,
Louisiana state, regional and local economic development organizations have
worked to enable a business environment that supports a strong technology and
gaming ecosystem. In addition to InXile Entertainment, technology and gaming
companies are choosing Greater New Orleans as a major location for expansion
and growth.
The Xbox Game Studios Game Camp is powered by Unity, the creator of the
world’s leading real-time 3D development platform, giving users the most
powerful and accessible tools to create, operate, and monetize experiences for
the real-time world. As part of Unity’s participation in Game Camp, the company
will be providing access to Unity licenses for each developer to use, ongoing
on-site technical support, and access to Unity’s team of experts via in-person
workshops.
Autodesk, a leader
in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software, will provide 3D tools for
camp participants, learning resources, and host instructional workshops during
the camp.
For more, hear directly from Head of Xbox Game Studios at Microsoft Matt Booty, Governor of Louisiana John Bel Edwards, and Vice President and Global Head of Education at Unity Technologies Jessica Lindl:
“Extraordinary talent exists everywhere, but not everyone has the access or means to pursue their passions,” said Head of Xbox Game Studios at Microsoft Matt Booty. “By attending Game Camp in New Orleans, aspiring developers will learn how to make games in a collaborative and supportive setting, mentored by senior video game developers from Xbox Game Studios and Unity.”
“Louisiana continues to be a premier destination for entertainment production, and that includes our growing digital media sector,” Governor John Bel Edwards said. “We are happy to welcome Microsoft’s Xbox Game Studios to Louisiana to host this exciting Game Camp in New Orleans. Video game development and other digital media production are an important part of our state’s entertainment program, and this is a fine opportunity for aspiring young developers to hone their skills with some of the best in the business.”
“We’re witnessing a shift in the way the economy is moving, making real-time 3D skills absolutely imperative for those both entering into the workforce now and continuing into the workforce of tomorrow,” said Vice President and Global Head of Education at Unity Technologies Jessica Lindl. “It’s critical that we empower workers with the technical skills that will be demanded of them as we move towards an increasingly technology-driven future. Working with Microsoft and state regional organizations to ensure adults in Louisiana are prepared for this shift is incredibly rewarding and we’re excited to see the projects that are created at the end of Game Camp.”
Xbox Game Studios Game Camp details can be found at xbox.com/gamecamp. Stay tuned to Xbox Wire for the latest news on Xbox Game Studios.
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