The Entertainment Software Association, the video game industry's trade group, is offering more than a dozen scholarships for students looking to get into video game development.
NEW YORK -- The Entertainment Software Association, the video game industry's trade group, is offering more than a dozen scholarships for students looking to get into video game development.
“We are offering the scholarship to women and minorities who are declaring majors in a field of game arts, which is kind of a broad term we use to encompass computer design, graphic design, computer science - anything that can be used in the field of game development,” said Jenny Lai of Entertainment Software Association Foundation.
Parents who may be put off by the idea of college tuition going towards a future in video games can be comforted by the video game industry's robust growth in an otherwise tough economy. According to NPD Market Research, sales of software and hardware are were up about 34 percent in February 2008 over figures for Februrary 2007.
Parents who may be put off by the idea of college tuition going towards a future in video games can be comforted by the video game industry's robust growth in an otherwise tough economy.
“Our industry is growing tremendously and we are absolutely respected up there with movies and books and TV as a respected form of entertainment,” said Lai. “Our sales last year in 2007 were $9.5 billion.”
Starting salaries in the video game industry often hover just under the six-figure mark.
“If you have the creative ability and technical ability - some of our young people start out definitely [between $80,000 to $90,000],” said Lai. “I can tell you the perks are great, it's a very friendly, relaxed atmosphere, the staff is fairly young, very casual.”
If you or someone you know is interested, there are 15 scholarships being offered worth $3,000 each. Applications are available at www.theESA.com, and the deadline for applying is May 15.