Instructor Shows Students How to Turn Gaming Obsession into a Career

Dr. Steve Clayden has enjoyed a charmed career, and he wants to train a new generation to follow in his footsteps.

A design engineer by trade, Dr. Clayden's corporate portfolio boasts work on high profile projects ranging from Hot Wheels cars and He-Man action figures for Mattel to the cruise missile and space shuttle with General Dynamics. He even holds a patent for a pet door still found in stores.

But with the evolution of computer systems, software programs, and the Internet, Clayden's focus has shifted to the new world of possibilities for engineers in three-dimensional design. He saw this potential early enough to become the first engineer certified in 3-D design in Arizona, California and Nevada.

Already teaching students to join the burgeoning ranks of web developers, Dr. Clayden will offer a new program starting this summer capitalizing on the latest technology craze - gaming. The new certificate of completion in Game Technology will train students to become video game developers by combining their artistic skills with their passion for gaming.

After completing the 25-credit program, students will be ready for entry-level positions as graphic artists, animators, production artists, modelers, game designers or developers, or multimedia designers/developers.

Dr. Clayden believes there will be a great interest in this field, pointing to the popularity of games like Guitar Hero, World of Warcraft, and the best-selling software package of all-time, Halo.

"The final object of the program is to create your own game," advises Dr. Clayden. "So theirs could be the next big success!"