The rules of the game

Abu Dhabi Week checks out the students learning to design computer games here in the capital

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When we first enter the dimly lit studio, we are surprised to see a group of students, transfixed at their computers, working quietly – and diligently – on their final projects. Most haven’t even noticed our entrance, their faces set in concentration and illuminated by the blue lights radiating from their screens.

The training academy at twofour54, or tadreeb as it’s called in Arabic, is focused on offering unique media courses and training options to their students. Intent on cultivating a highly skilled base to help further develop multimedia in the region, the academy offers a variety of interesting and non-traditional career options. We’ve come to find out more about the Gaming Academy.

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With a diverse class of eight avid gamers at the ready, the academy’s inaugural batch of students could definitely be considered pioneers. And their 16-month full-time crash course on all things video games is a commitment they don’t seem to be taking lightly.

Fakhra Al Mansouri, a 26-year-old Emirati, commutes everyday from Al Ain to the Abu Dhabi campus. Mansouri is an IT professional who quit her job to participate in the course. “I never thought of creating games even though I grew up playing video games, talking about video games and exchanging video games. I never thought I’d be in this industry, so when I discovered this course I was so excited.

“When I got accepted I thought wow, I’m going to be studying with the people who made Assassin’s Creed and the Rabbids! Those are two of my favourite games.”

Australian student Ben Herron was also inspired to join the course from gaming himself: “There are many [games that inspired him] but if I had to name one in particular I would have to be Half Life 2,” he said. “It’s design blended narrative and game in such a seamless fashion that, in my opinion, has not been replicated to date. This, in part, drove me to want to understand how such products are created and create them myself.”

The passion these students have for games certainly is infectious. Finn Teague-Moore, another Australian student said: “In my teen years I discovered a game called Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory. I’ve always thought that it was the pinnacle of what a game could be and I would say that it really made me want to take this path in life.”

Options

Students finishing the four-trimester course will come out of the programme with a host of skills. Students take concepts and market them before proceeding with their projects. It’s important to note that the focus on the business side of the industry is just as important as the theory.

Matthew Bell, head lecturer of games – tadreeb, has been in the industry for ten years. Eager to share his expertise and provide useful industry experience and feedback to his class, he adds, “We’re teaching them what they actually need in order to do the job.”

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The Gaming Academy is run in partnership with the SAE Institute and Ubisoft. A leading creator, publisher and distributor of video games throughout the world, the Ubisoft Abu Dhabi studio was formed in 2011.

Their hands-on attitude to providing industry knowledge and career opportunities to graduates is a long-term approach to cultivate the next generation of gamers. In fact, students at the academy have the opportunity to get coveted internships with the company once lessons are over.

“The main challenges for us are the resources. We have an objective to develop and release games so we need to find the right people, the right talents, and the right expertise. The expertise we are looking for currently doesn’t exist in the region. The big challenge for us is to find suitable people and to groom them and grow our studio,” says Yannick Theler, general manager, Ubisoft Abu Dhabi.

New Game?

The Middle East may be the new kids on the block when it comes to video games, but this emerging market certainly has a bright future ahead of itself and students such as these, are helping pave the way forward, one game at a time.

Sawaiba Khan