<p>The nephew of one of my best friends is interested in a career as a Computer Game Designer (does anyone call them "video games" any more?). </p>
<p>The young man is interested in Computer Games, not so much for entertainment purposes but for educational purposes. He believes that computer games can be used as educational tools.</p>
<p>He is in the top one percent of his graduating class (sixth out of 600-plus students) at a better than average public high school in western Pennsylvania.</p>
<p>I heard that RPI in Troy, NY has a good program in computer engineering. Does any one know anything about RPI?</p>
<p>Any advice that anyone can give me would be appreciated. I know that participants in this forum alway have interesting comments to add to the conversation. Thanking you in advance</p>
<p>My son aspires to be a video game artist, so I'm more familiar with the art track schools. However, I've run across some dual track schools in my research which would probably suit your friend's nephew's interests.</p>
<p>If your friend's nephew is looking at a masters degree, Carnegie Mellon and Southern Methodist University have excellent programs. RPI does have a game design degree, as does Worcester Polytechnical Institute. My son and I visited WPI and loved the school, although the game design major's curriculum was too light on the artistic track for my son. RIT also offers a BA in game design, I believe. We also visited RIT, but it turns out they don't really have a major to fit my son's interest in the art side of game design. I would definitely check into USC, which I know has a top notch game design art program. I've also heard good things about the California State schools.</p>
<p>UCSC (UC Santa Cruz) has a Computer Science major that focuses on game design. But honestly, if he really wants to go this path, I would go with one of those Academy of Arts, Art Institutes, etc. I've also heard good things about SFSU.</p>
<p>All of the above are good tips, but also check out DigiPen Institute of Technology. It's a highly revered computer game design school located in Redmond, WA. DigiPen is very much a high profile college in the gaming industry. </p>
<p>RPI has an excellent computer gaming program and give their students real-life field experience as well; several of their students (undergrad and grad) have been developing an educational computer game for the regional upstate NY museum where I work. I have been very impressed by the quality of their work, the instructors, and by RPI's willingness/eagerness to cross disciplinary boundaries, be experimental and work with humanities and arts.</p>
<p>If he's serious about it, have him check you Full Sail in FLA. It's fairly new, but graduates have gone on to do cool things.
It's not a college for students that want a typical college experience, but you might have him check it out at least.</p>