Hamburg University Announces Gaming Master's Degree

The Hamburg University of Applied Sciences in Hamburg, Germany, announced that it will introduce the "Sound, Vision, Games," master's degree program in the summer term of 2010. The degree aims to "provide future game designers, programmers and producers with the relevant skills required for working successfully in the field." Training modules for the three-semester program could be offered as early as September 2009. The Hamburg State Ministry of Economic and Labour Affairs provides initial funding for the "Sound, Vision, Games," degree. The Ministry will additionally back the purchase of a Motion Tracking System, which will allow participating students to create 3D animation for their game projects. "Bright minds and expert skills are crucial for the success of an economic region," said Senator Axel Gedaschko, Minister of Economic Affairs in Hamburg. "The new degree programme is an essential step in our support for Hamburg's booming games industry, which faces a shortage of specialist staff." Gedaschko continues: "The industry will be able to draw on highly qualified graduates with a distinct awareness of their ethical and moral responsibility - just as the numerous companies in Hamburg that are successful producers of adventure or puzzle games." The "Sound, Vision, Games," degree is the third major gaming education project developed at Hamburg University. The University previously established the GamecityLab facility to spotlight new technology and to encourage game development, and subsequently debuted the industry career-focused Gamecity Lecture Series in the summer of 2007.