Rensselaer Institute Celebrates First Semester as New York State's Digital Game Development Center of Excellence

Celebrating Rensselaer's First Semester as New York State Center of Excellence in Digital Game Development

April 3, 2019

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Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is thrilled to celebrate its first semester participating in the New York State Center of Excellence for Digital Game Development. Collaborating with Rochester Institute of Technology RIT and New York University NYU, Rensselaer now benefits from nearly $900,000 in new funding provided by New York state through Empire State Development's Division of Science, Technology and Innovation NYSTAR. This funding will propel efforts to expand the size and influence of the digital gaming industry within the state.

The initiative began in 2016 with the establishment of three university-based digital gaming hubs under NYSTAR. Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, together with the New York State Legislature, recognized the potential for game development growth and provided initial support through Empire State Development's NYSTAR program. Since its inception, these hubs have facilitated job creation and retention, guided in-game development projects, and supported the licensing and publishing of games.

We're proud of the accomplishments we've achieved thus far as part of the Digital Gaming Hub program over the past three years, sd Benjamin Chang, a professor and director of Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences GSAS at Rensselaer. The center's success is bolstered by its partnership with key stakeholders in New York State, including Governor Cuomo, NYSTAR, and Empire State Development's Division of Science, Technology and Innovation.

Rensselaer has been lauded as one of the top game design programs nationally, sd Senator Neil D. Breslin. Our office acknowledges the unique gaming ecosystem within the Capital Region, along with our esteemed governor and state legislature, is committed to supporting initiatives that foster this industry's growth.

The Tech Valley Digital Gaming Hub at Rensselaer focuses on bolstering the digital gaming landscape in the Capital Region and surrounding areas through collaboration between academic researchers, industry leaders, business incubators, and community partners. This hub promotes communication, facilitates partnerships, and organizes events like trade shows and industry gatherings to foster interaction among stakeholders.

We're grateful for the ongoing investment by Governor Cuomo and NYSTAR in our Tech Valley Digital Gaming Hub, Assemblymember John T. McDonald III added. The resources from this Center of Excellence will enable us to cultivate a thriving community of game developers, positioning New York as an international leader in video game creation.

Undergraduate students, graduates, alumni, and alumnae from Rensselaer have significantly contributed to the Capital Region's gaming ecosystem. IO Interloper, a corporate espionage hacking game developed by recent GSAS program graduates, reached the finals of prestigious industry events like the Indepent Games Festival and E3 College Games Competition. This group has since established DANG!, an indepent Troy-based studio focused on game design.

Rensselaer partnered with the Center for Economic Growth to introduce HV Gamer Con to the Capital Region-a tournament that drew teams from across New York State and beyond, establishing a precedent for regional gaming events. On April 27th, RPI will host GameFest, an annual games festival celebrating student innovation in game design.

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