Skip to content

Computer game wizards gather at AUC conference

About 100 leaders and wannabes in the computer game industry are gathering at Algoma University College this weekend for what organizers hope will become an annual conference.
PaulDurrant

About 100 leaders and wannabes in the computer game industry are gathering at Algoma University College this weekend for what organizers hope will become an annual conference.

The three-day event kicked off Thursday night with a reception and dinner at the Bushplane Museum.

Keynote speaker was Paul Durrant (shown), director of research and enterprise at Dundee, Scotland's University of Abertay.

Abertay is Scotland's smallest university, but it was the first in the United Kingdom to offer undergraduate and postgraduate programs in computer games technology.

AUC to offer first masters degrees

As SooToday.com first reported almost four months ago, Algoma University College is arranging to offer its first-ever masters degrees in computer game design through the Scottish institution.

To read our original article about that, click here.

If the program receives accreditation, AUC will become one of just a half-dozen universities offering such a degree in the Western Hemisphere, AUC officials say.

Dundee creates 1,500 jobs

Dundee's creative sector is largely technology-driven and now consists of more than 200 companies generating $225 million a year, Durrant says.

The sector currently provides more than 1,500 jobs, he said.

For more information about some of Dundee's creative initiatives, click here.

Creative sector isn't enough

But a strong creative sector, on its own, isn't enough to shore up a flagging economy, Durrant told SooToday News.

For that, you need four or five strong sectors. The Sault's strength as a tourism draw would certainly qualify as one such sector, he said.

The conference continues Friday at the Water Tower Inn and Saturday at Algoma University College.

Journalism that pulls four Gs

To receive free, real-time E-mail updates of SooToday.com's exclusive coverage of local news, just send an Email with "SUBSCRIBE" in the subject line to [email protected].

This free service is provided courtesy of the community-minded businesses whose advertisements appear on these pages.


What's next?


If you would like to apply to become a Verified reader Verified Commenter, please fill out this form.




David Helwig

About the Author: David Helwig

David Helwig's journalism career spans seven decades beginning in the 1960s. His work has been recognized with national and international awards.
Read more