Electronic Game Content Development
TSSB-Recognized Skill Standards October 23, 2007
Background
These skill standards were developed in 2003 by the
Washington State Board for Community and Technical
Colleges. They are the result of the collaborative work of
industry, education, labor, and government. Their
development was facilitated by Lake Washington Technical
College through a grant provided by the Washington State
Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board. The
developers also produced comprehensive industry-identified
curriculum modules for use by community and technical
colleges in their design of curricula and assessment of
industry skills.
Importance to Texas
The video game development industry generated
revenues close to $12.5 billion in the U.S. in 2006.
According to Digital Games: A Technology Forecast, a
publication of the IC2 Institute at the University of
Texas at Austin, Texas is a recognized leader in digital
games although employment statistics do not distinguish
game development services from other types of software
publishing and online services. As a consequence it is not
possible to accurately derive the scope of employment in
this sector or its relative importance to Texas through
available traditional labor market data. But a significant
event gives an indication of the industry's growing impact
in the state.
In August, 2007, Governor Perry signed a bill approving up
to $22 million in production incentives for the
entertainment sector, including video game companies. The
grants were recognized as a workforce opportunity - that
the incentives would stimulate growth in the industry that
would, in turn, create a stronger demand for qualified
technicians. The grants are an important statement of the
growing economic impact of the game development industry
in Texas. According to Digital Games: A Technology
Forecast, in the absence of employment data, a survey of
more than 50 digital game development companies in Texas
implied that Texas game development companies expected to
make 400-500 new hires in the year following the 2004
survey. Nationally, a technical artist with three or fewer
years of experience earns an average salary close to
$40,000 annually.
TSSB Recognition
Several Texas-based representatives of the game
development industry, including creative directors, studio
directors, and members of the International Game
Developers Association and the Digital Media Council
served on a subject matter expert panel and reviewed the
skill standards, ensuring that the content was still valid
and current. The panel included representatives from the
following Texas employers: Amaze Entertainment, Critical
Mass Entertainment, BioWare, and KingsIsle Entertainment.
The panel requested that the TSSB recognize the Electronic
Game Content Development skill standards.
The TSSB recognized the skill standards at its October
23, 2007 meeting.
|