Universities can now let their students learn game design anywhere, at their own pace, from some of the world’s best game developers. Ubisoft and Concordia University, through its online training provider KnowledgeOne, are partnering to offer the video game company’s expertise to university campuses around the world.
Designed as a video game, Game Creators’ Odyssey is an online course that takes students through the development process of video games. The course is based on Ubisoft’s know-how as one of the leaders of the gaming industry and offers a hands-on approach to game design that allows students to learn from a game developer’s perspective.
“At Concordia, we are always looking at ways to expand and improve learning,” says Concordia interim President Graham Carr. “Game Creators’ Odyssey is a great illustration of the innovation and creativity both Ubisoft and Concordia are known for.”
“The Game Creators’ Odyssey is based on the expertise we have acquired at Ubisoft over the past 30 years, and internal training for our developers around the world. It is a great pleasure to adapt this training for universities and share our knowledge in videogame development with the next generation of creators,” says Olivier Palmieri, Game Director at Ubisoft Montreal.
Game Creators’ Odyssey takes students through the story of Nagato, a shinobi warrior-ninja in feudal Japan on a quest to discover his true calling and craft his legacy. The hero’s story evolves with the students’ own learning journey. Just like Nagato, students will practice their skills and challenge their knowledge. They will earn experience points allowing them to unlock further content and level-up in the leaderboard.
Students will learn game design theory by examining concrete examples and analyzing games created by Ubisoft. They will also access insider insights through industry tips and exclusive interviews with the company’s game developers. Students will have to create their own game concept and share their design on the platform in order to complete the course.
“This is a unique online course with striking visuals and exclusive content,” says Robert Beauchemin, CEO of KnowledgeOne. “Through our partnership with Ubisoft, we created a gamified e-learning experience that provides fundamental competencies and allows them to move seamlessly within the industry.”
The course is split into two acts, each divided into chapters and missions. Act 1, called “Rational Game Design”, looks at the ways games are made and shows students how innovative game mechanics are created. Act 2, “Rational Level Design”, teaches students how to create immersive game worlds and engaging gaming experiences. When completed, each act comes with a course certificate from Ubisoft and the university offering the course.
Game Creators’ Odyssey Act 1 is available in English and French and already offered to students through several universities. Act 2 will be available in the spring of 2020 in both languages.
To download visuals of Game Creators’ Odyssey and request access to a demo of the course, please go to:
ENGLISH: https://gamecreatorodyssey.com/media/
FRENCH: https://gamecreatorodyssey.com/media/?lang=fr
Ubisoft
Ubisoft is a leading creator, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and services, with a rich portfolio of world-renowned brands, including Assassin’s Creed, Just Dance, Tom Clancy’s video game series, Rayman, Far Cry and Watch Dogs. The teams throughout Ubisoft’s worldwide network of studios and business offices are committed to delivering original and memorable gaming experiences across all popular platforms, including consoles, mobile phones, tablets and PCs. For the 2018-19 fiscal year Ubisoft generated Net Bookings of €2,029 million. To learn more, please visit www.ubisoft.com.
Concordia University
Concordia University, located in Montreal, was ranked first in Canada in the rankings of universities founded or established in the last 50 years according to the 2019 Quacquarelli Symonds “Top 50 Under 50” Rankings. www.concordia.ca
KnowledgeOne
KnowledgeOne is an educational services company that specializes in training programs development, production, hosting, and operational support. https://knowledgeone.ca/about-us/
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