Gamecamp.org and the LA Initiative

By: Eric M. Martin

Saturday March 22, 2008

Spencer Zuzolo shares a little bit of Gamecamp and his hope for the gaming industry’s future in Louisiana.
On a warm spring day in south central Louisiana, I was able to enjoy a tasty beverage with fellow game lover Spencer Zuzolo and speak with him about Gamecamp! Up until one week ago, I had not heard of Gamecamp!, nor did I know that they have been held in Louisiana for the past three years, specifically in my own backyard of Lafayette and also in the city of Thibodaux. Originally having its roots in the community college system of Austin, Texas, it seems that the ideas of Gamecamp are beginning to take root in the surrounding areas, most notably in the introduction of game design curriculums in various institution at both the high school and college levels.

Gamecamp! is a college and career preparatory program for students interested in learning about the video game development industry as a career. But it’s not all about video games. According to Spencer, Gamecamp! teaches students a wide range of 21st century skills.

“There are two kinds of skills that we are trying to get the students interested in. One is the hard technological skills. How do you build software, specifically game development software, and then how do you use those same tools in a digital media space in order to be creative and productive in our global economy? We try to make it so that these hard skills actually transfer from the game industry to other industries. The second set would be the soft skills, which are extremely important in the new global, digitzed economy. This is the ability to work in teams, to collaborate remotely, and make smart decisions through critical thinking, researching and analysis.”

After gleaming knowledge about Gamecamp!, I learned on a personal level that my view on the gaming industry was not only narrow, but also severely warped. Suddenly, it was not as difficult to crack the nut. There was now tangible proof to parents that video games can be more than a time sink. I knew it was there, but it was nearly impossible to prove to anyone that wasn’t a gamer. Now, there is more information, coupled with the knowledge that it goes beyond video games. In a way, Gamecamp! deals with the issues of educating the next generation for next generation jobs.

The immediate question is, “Why Lousiana, why now?” Spencer notes that there is a desire in this area to foster the growth of the game industry, and one of the key indicators to him was the initial step of film tax credit and an understanding that digital media is an important economic driver. “(Louisiana) has moved in a similar direction with game industry tax credits. Since our model is from the bottom up, it’s very complimentary with what they’re trying to do at the state level, which is to generate a workforce so that you can incubate innovators and entrepreneurs in the game space, explore technology, and build an infrastructure here that will attract new business and investment.”



With a sense of commitment in mind for Louisiana, it makes Spencer’s job just one step easier. Now Gamecamp! can bring in the experts and technology needed to teach students how to develop games, and to assist in developing an industry that helps Louisiana become a global player in the digital economy. The idea is that if younger students are taught the industry standards and are learning the industry’s standard processes and techniques, it will aid them in not only finding jobs that they have an interest in, but it will also develop personal drive and self-motivation, which is something that younger generations are often accused of lacking.

Some of the basic pieces are already in place. First off, there is a desire. Secondly, there are people in the state that see the need on all levels. What will be the big catalyst? Asking questions, gathering information, and spreading the word. “The people that don’t know about the game industry perceive games as a waste of time. They don’t really understand. The kids love it, but they don’t really know why and they don’t often know how to harness it into something positive. What Gamecamp! does is change that perception. We use the motivation that students have with games, and we apply that toward learning about technology, tools, and development. At a basic level, we want to educate people that this is a possibility for their children. This can further their education and actually help them get a career. It’s really about the political will to invest in, and commit to, the future of our children by giving them the tools they need to compete. The talent, passion, work ethic and intelligence are already there. We just need to focus it like a laser.”

Now is the time to plan and register! Gamecamp! has currently posted the running dates for their Louisiana camps. In Lafayette, the dates are July 28 through August 1. In Thibodaux the commuter camp is July 21-July 25. However, there is also an overnight camp that runs from July 19 through July 27. For Austin, Texas, the first Gamecamp dates are June 9 through June 13, with subsequent camps throughout the summer.