GUILFORD COUNTY -- GTCC has one of the most result-driven video gaming programs in the United States. Bestcolleges.com ranks its simulation and game development program number two nationwide among online certificate and associate's degree offerings.
"We were supposed to create a two player game with a ball, and you can't throw it or kick it, but everything else is fair game," said Ashley Wolfe, GTCC Simulation and Game Development student.
Ashley Wolfe looks on as her fellow classmates present their game ideas in SGD Design Credits class at Guilford Technical Community College.
"The fundamentals of games. Learning about what makes a game, what doesn't make a game, what different kind of games are, stuff like that," said Wolfe.
This class is part of the college's Simulation and Gaming program -- an associate of applied science degree. It made bestcolleges.com list of the best online video game design programs coming in number two for certificate and associates degree programs. It's giving these student the tools to get their start in a booming industry.
"We do offer some art classes, but for the most part the students are about writing code and actually building the systems to make the programs work. This is software development at the heart of it," said James Thompson, GTCC Simulation and Gaming assistant professor.
Part of the rankings are based on acceptance, enrollment, retention, and graduation rates. But the programs must also provide students an understanding of game design companies inner workings, hands-on experience with essential software and game design engines and the opportunity to network with gaming professionals.
"Actually really learning about game design and stuff like that, and it makes me feel good that I'm in the program. I have to go so far away from here. It's good that all that work is going to pay off," said Wolfe.
"Our purpose is to get students into the workforce. We're about providing skills for our area, so this is just one more example of that. Hopefully in time we can build up a high tech industry here," said Thompson.
Educators want to expand the program by offering more art courses, but say they're having trouble finding instructors and resources.