Autodesk Launches Free Online Game Development Curriculum

Design software manufacturer Autodesk has introduced "Vehicle for Games," a free web-based curriculum that gives post-secondary students hands-on training in game development concepts. "Vehicle for Games" provides participants with a six-month student trial version of Autodesk's Maya and a 30-day trial version of Mudbox. During the 16-week course, students will study game development from an artist's perspective, and will analyze how assets transform from concept art into in-game objects. The curriculum includes a selection of video tutorials, along with downloadable models, textures, concept art, and orthographic drawings that students can use as guides for their own unique creations. Developed in cooperation with professionals from development studios NCSoft and Double Helix, the "Vehicle for Games" project is currently being pilot tested at the Laguna College of Art & Design (LCAD) in California. "With the 'Vehicle for Games' curriculum, Autodesk provides a valuable link between educators and the game industry, and helps make sure that our graduates' qualifications match industry needs," said Sandy Appleoff, game art department chair at LCAD. "Having this masterful curriculum has allowed our students to move faster. By the end of the semester they will have produced game engine-ready assets and have them loaded and functioning in the game engine."