Gearbox funding wanabe dev’s
In news supplied by Next-Gen.biz the Brothers in Arms developer, Gearbox are pledging $50,000 to The Guildhall at Southern Methodist University to help support aspiring developers. Since the SMU started its program in 2004 it has had a 95% placement rate with over 180 developers working in over 70 studios worldwide, including 15 who have gone to work at Gearbox. The article is as follows.
Brothers in Arms developer Gearbox Software has pledged nearly $50,000 to The Guildhall at Southern Methodist University to support education of future game developers.
ImageGiving money to programs such as The Guildhall at SMU not only supports development talent for the industry at large, but it also intertwines with Plano, Tex.-based Gearbox’s recruitment.
Gearbox CEO and president Randy Pitchford said that since SMU started its program in 2004, 15 grads have joined his company, with several helping with the development of the company’s upcoming 2008 title, Borderlands.
The money, in the form of scholarships and other kinds of support, will help establish the Fellows Scholar program at The Guildhall at SMU, the country’s leading graduate videogame development program. SMU said that the program boasts a 95 percent placement rate with over 180 grads working at 70 game studios worldwide.
Aside from financial support for design, art and programming education, Gearbox will also provide professional mentors for students during their 17 months of study at SMU. The developer also donated an audio lab to the program
“The only thing growing faster than our industry is the critical need for new and creative talent,” said Pitchford. “I think it is clear that the videogame industry has the vast financial support and consumer demand it needs to continue its global growth. But what I and many industry leaders are very worried about is hiring and retaining world class talent. That’s why programs like The Guildhall at SMU need our support.”
I must say that to see a big developer like Gearbox help fund the education of the next generation of games developers is a pleasing sign. It means that we will have a steady flow of (hopefully) high-quality developers with innovative ideas that have a great opportunity to get great placements with leading games companies.
Thumbs up to Gearbox.
Tags: funding, Gearbox, Methodists