DigiPen Institute of Technology
Template:Infobox American Universities
DigiPen Institute of Technology is a college located in Redmond, Washington which has a focus on art, computer science, and computer engineering with emphasis in creating video games. DigiPen is a high-profile college well-known in the game industry for producing capable graduates.
History
DigiPen was founded in 1988 by Claude Comair in Vancouver, B.C., Canada. The school relocated to Redmond in January 1998. In May 1996 the Washington State Higher Education Coordinating Board granted DigiPen the ability to award an Associate and Bachelor of Science Degrees in Real-Time Interactive Simulation and an Associate of Applied Arts Degree in 3D Computer Animation. This made DigiPen the first university in the world dedicated to teaching how to create video games. In 2002 a sister campus was opened in Beirut, Lebanon. Currently they only offer one degree in the programming aspects of video game creation.
Campus
The campus is half of a Nintendo of America building that is rented out by the school. Almost all of the classrooms have computers in them so that the students are able to use them while being instructed. Occasionally, speakers from the video game industry will come on campus and have talks the students are able to attend.
Education
DigiPen has two primary educational paths, Applied/Fine Arts and Real Time Interactive Simulation (RTIS - video game development). The art programs are taught from a computer-oriented perspective, as the intent is for the art students to become yet another part of the game development process. RTIS students are taught aspects of development including programming, design, and marketing. Though there are a few odd liberal arts classes also in the curriculum, they are all geared toward making good games. DigiPen also offers a master's degree in computer science, and Comair plans to add a Ph.D. program as well.
Students
Digipen is the only educational institute whose students place in the professional category at the Game Developers Conference.