Denver, CO, Feb. 26, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Video from Westwood College: Westwood College Connects Game Art and Game Software Development Students with Industry Professionals through "Fighter Frenzy" Event
Westwood
College recently hosted a video gaming event titled Fighter Frenzy as part of its commitment to helping
students gain hands-on experience and skills. Produced by Colorado
Cutthroat Connection, the event provided game art and game software
development students the opportunity to meet and network with some
of the top, local gaming professionals through networking
opportunities and panel discussions, along with tournament and
casual play for video and card game enthusiasts.
See video from Westwood College and Synaptic Digital at: http://inr.synapticdigital.com/westwood/gaming/?cp=1
More than 250 people attended the event on Saturday, Feb. 9 at
Westwood's Denver North campus, including representatives from
local gaming companies, such as Leviathan Games, Limn Interactive,
and Zebralightning Studios. Tournament players competed for cash
and prizes in games such as "HALO 4," "Super Street Fighter 4,"
"Tekken Tag Tournament 2" and "Call of Duty: Black Ops." The event
also hosted the first "PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale Free for
All" tournament of the year, while casual play was offered for
games such as "Dance Central 3," "Sports Champions 2" and
more.
Card games, including an invitational qualifier for "Magic: The
Gathering" drew nearly 40 participants in the daylong
competition.
"The combination of local game developers and dedicated gamers from
across Colorado, along with support from the sponsors, students and
faculty, made the Fighter Frenzy event a great success," said
Gregory Richardson, CEO/Director of Operations for Colorado
Cutthroat Connection. "With the gaming industry really taking off
in Colorado, this event was the perfect mix of the professional,
educational and entertainment aspects of gaming, resulting in a
high-value event for students and gamers alike."
Networking and educational events also took place throughout the
day. A group of Westwood gaming graduates and local professionals
participated in a networking event and a panel discussion. Topics
included:
• The future of the growing gaming industry in Colorado and
neighboring states, which is expected to become a prominent
location for the industry due to more companies and studios either
starting up or relocating to take advantage of the local
lifestyle.
• The importance of obtaining degree in the gaming industry, as
well as the benefits of pursuing a game design or development
degree at Westwood College, such as small class size and the
ability to study in a hands-on environment with others who are
pursuing the same goals.
Mixxd Nutts, a group of Westwood game art and game software
development students, presented a prototype of a video game they
are creating, and Charles Bendert, Program Chair/Director for the
Game Art, Game Software and Graphic Design programs at Westwood,
led a drawing and illustration workshop that helped attendees
practice perspective and character design.
"One of the best things about this event was the ability for our
students to get to meet local professionals to talk about what the
future holds for this industry," said Dan Snyder, president of
Westwood College's two Denver campuses. "They got to see first-hand
the great opportunity open to them once they complete their degree
programs, as well as have a little bit of fun doing something they
are passionate about."
About Westwood College
Westwood College is an institution of higher learning with 16
campuses located in California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Texas
and Virginia. Westwood offers a hands-on, career-focused curriculum
in sought-after fields such as healthcare, technology and business.
Westwood is nationally accredited by the Accrediting Council for
Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) A 2012 survey conducted by
Noel-Levitz showed Westwood students are significantly
more satisfied than the comparison group of approximately 125
public and private colleges, particularly in the areas of course
content, quality of instruction and the school meeting their career
goals. For more information, visit http://www.westwood.edu