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(Waco) A new study, published by Texas State Technical College System and IC² Institute at The University of Texas at Austin, explores the educational and economic development implications of Texas’ growing digital gaming industry. Gaming, A Technology Forecast: Implications for Community and Technical Colleges in the State of Texas provides an excellent starting point for assessing current job demand, skill requirements, and salary levels.

The report is available for free at www.forecasting.tstc.edualong with previously published reports on Nanotechnology and Fuel Cells. The research was conducted by the IC² Institute in the fourth quarter of 2003 for Texas educators to prepare students to take advantage of the opportunities in digital game development.

According to the Entertainment Software Association, Texas is a recognized leader in digital games and, as reported in this new study, Texas-based digital game companies are expected to make 400-500 new hires in the next year.

Key highlights from the report include:

• Game Industry and Market Snapshot
• Developing Knowledgeable Workers for the Game Industry
• Innovation Networks and the Wired Generation
• Need for Formalized Game Industry Workforce Development
• Game Industry Workforce Needs
• Community and Technical College Gaming Curricula
• Curriculum Framework • Partnering with the Game Industry
• Gaming, Science, Technology, and Education

Among the reports findings are that the game industry is a maturing industry and shows promise of sustained growth. The global market for digital games is projected to grow to approximately $85B in 2006. Fifty percent of Americans over the age of six play computer games and industry domestic revenues reached $11.4 billion in 2003, exceeding film industry revenues. This industry synthesizes a wide range of occupations: game designers, electronic artists, software engineers, writers, audio composers and engineers, video composers, producers, and business managers.

While some may think of an education in digital gaming as an easy program of “fun and games,” the truth is that it requires a demanding skill set that synthesizes artistic, mathematical, and critical thinking into real-world production applications with unknown answers. A balanced, rigorous curriculum of arts and sciences and team-based project production can prepare graduates for employment in this high-skill, dynamic, and competitive field.

This is the third of an ongoing series of emerging technology program studies through TSTC’s Programs for Emerging Technologies research program. PET research is designed to drive the development and support of emerging technology curriculum and facilitate informed and accurate future curriculum development efforts for Texas community and technical colleges. A new report on Homeland Security Technologies will be published next followed by a report on the Texas wireless industry. These reports will also be available for download at www.forecasting.tstc.edu.

About PET
TSTC’s Programs for Emerging Technologies (PET) identifies, evaluates and forecasts potential emerging technology programs which are likely to have a positive impact on the State's economy. This research is intended to increase awareness of specific emerging technical programs and proactively advance the development of applicable high-technology curriculum in Texas community and technical colleges. By doing so, PET hopes to enhance the economic competitiveness of Texas and ensure a competitively skilled workforce for future Texas employers. See www.forecasting.tstc.edufor more information.

About Texas State Technical College
Texas State Technical College (TSTC) is a public coeducational institution of higher education offering courses of study in technical education leading to the award of Certificates and Associate of Applied Science degrees. TSTC also provides technical education and training to business and industry, continuing education to the public, and training programs for community and state economic development. TSTC colleges are located in Harlingen, Marshall, West Texas and Waco with extension centers in Abilene, Brownwood and Breckenridge. TSTC serves students from more than 200 counties in Texas and TSTC graduates begin their careers in high-paying jobs across the state or continue their education at colleges and universities. TSTC graduates are highly valued by business and industry for their work ethic, knowledge, and workplace skills. Texas State Technical Colleges are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097: Telephone number 404-679-4501) to award Associate of Applied Science degrees and Certificates of Completion. For more information, visit TSTC on the web at www.tstc.eduor call (800) 792-8784.

About The IC² Institute
The Institute for Innovation, Creativity, and Capital (IC²) at The University of Texas at Austin is an international, transdisciplinary "Think and Do" tank devoted to solving unstructured problems to accelerate wealth and job creation and shared prosperity at home and abroad. As a research unit, IC² is focused on knowledge exploration, dissemination, and application, across a broad range of academic and applied areas. See the IC² web site www.ic2.orgfor more information.