University of Alberta to offer certificate in computer game development

The University of Alberta’s Computer Game Development Certificate created the first program of its kind at an Alberta university, establishing a formal interdisciplinary pathway into the province’s game industry. Led by Sean Gouglas and Michael Bowling, the program brought together students from different faculties to develop complete games through pitching, prototyping, testing and delivery. The certificate recognized that game development requires more than programming, combining expertise from areas such as creative writing, visual art, level design, modelling and animation. It also aimed to broaden participation in game development and encourage a wider range of perspectives and original Canadian intellectual property. By combining existing university disciplines with practical collaborative development experience, the program strengthened Edmonton’s game-development talent pipeline while giving graduates skills applicable to both employment at established studios and the creation of new independent game companies.