Academy of Interactive Entertainment to Open U.S. Campus at Seattle Center

The Academy of Interactive Entertainment, a non-profit vocational training institution for the digital media industries, announced that it will open a U.S. campus at Seattle Center later this year. The Australia-based Academy, which manages campuses in Melbourne, Sydney, and Canberra, is recognized as a leading educator for the game development and 3D digital animation industries. The AIE is nationally accredited through the Australian Qualifications Framework. The historic Seattle Center is the site of the city's landmark Space Needle, and hosts a number of significant attractions, including the Pacific Science Center, the Seattle Repertory Theatre, and the KeyArena. "The AIE will provide students with real world skills that employers look for in grads that are applying for a job in game development as a programmer, artist, or engineer,” said Dr. Christopher Erhardt, head of the new Seattle campus. “We are offering 2-year advanced diplomas and 1-year certificates in game development targeted at the casual and social game sectors as well as focused courses in Screen & Media, Computer animation and digital post production F/X for students interested in getting into film animation.” The AIE's Seattle Center campus will open in June.