thePULSENot Just for Gamers Anymore!
By Suzy Geers
As someone not completely familiar (Newbie) with current video games (I rocked the Vic 20, and of course Nintendo, in my youth) I’m not going to lie, I was a little intimidated when chatting with computer science genius and WPI’s Game Development Club advisor Mark Claypool about this ground breaking club. The Game Development Club (or GDC) is a close-knit group of individuals who live, breathe, play, and create video games. As the organization’s website credo claims: “We are crazy about making games. WPI students who like developing games, especially students of the Interactive Media and Game Development program at WPI, have the opportunity to easily find team members for their ambitious projects and show their works to an appreciating community thanks to the GDC.”
Boasting one of the largest student groups on campus, the GDC encourages all WPI students to participate and join. They hold a number of campus-wide events each academic year including game jams, Saturday Night Gaming at the Campus Center, a Halloween dance, and even a series of workshops (online, too) to enhance your Flash, art tools, AND game making skills. Students from area colleges are also welcome! Claypool explains, “This club was around before the IMGD major was offered. It focuses on the development and creation of games; it helps students obtain jobs in the gaming industry, and (presently) is a support to the success of the IMGD. They also have many social events (some listed above ~ check GDC’s online Events calendar for more) ~ after all, this is a SOCIAL group!”
So, what exactly is this IMGD? WPI boasts, “Inaugurated in 2005, the program provides students a base education in the artistic (art, music, and story), and technical (programming) aspects of interactive media. There is particular emphasis on programmers and artists working closely together, providing invaluable experience for their post-graduate years.” For example, Mike Gesner: A GDC “OG ~ “He was the first to hold elected office as club President. Now, he’s the co-founder (with WPI alumni Michael Melson) of Dragonfly Games ~ an industry leader in specializing in the design, development, and application of interactive entertainment and information technologies. Melson and Gesner’s company has joined forces with ImaginEngine to broaden its game reign. And take Daruis Kazimi: a former Executive GDC officer and now President of Orbus Games boasts a spankin’ new startup company located just outside of Boston that creates solutions for video game developers. Kazimi knows who is cheating and how, what is working and what isn’t. He rules with an iron frag!”
With Cloak and Dagger in my head, I posed a most important question to Mr. Claypool: “Is there anything top secret going on?!” He laughs! [I think he mocks, but in a nice way.] “We ARE working on a game for Nintendo Wii that’s going to be released which is cool BUT that’s all I can say about it! [Or he’d have to kill me.] We have sponsors (such as Disney, eBay) and during the students’ senior year, very significant projects are assigned ~ those are often when they make a complete game or components to something ~ like a networking aspect.”
Claypool and Co. are also working on a music improv game for the iPhone, as well as on an ultimate reality game. There is no end to these innovative projects ~ the ideas and possibilities are seemingly endless.
Worcester should be incredibly honored to have such trendsetters and inventors gracing our city… and don’t be shy: they encourage you to join!
gdc.wpi.edu/index.php
