In the interest of complementing the instruction offered to students at University Park as part of CMLIT 191N: Introduction to Video Game Culture, Video Game Design and Production: Roundtables with Industry Professionals was a two-day event on Tuesday, April 20, from 9:00am-10:20am, and Thursday, April 22, from 9:00am-10:20 a.m. Organized and moderated by Jonathan Correa, PhD candidate in Comparative Literature at Penn State, and sponsored by the Liberal Arts Collective and the University Park Allocations Committee, the two panels brought together video game designers and producers to talk about their experience and involvement in the creation of this increasingly popular branch of the entertainment industry. The events were held via Zoom and open to every member of the Penn State community.

The roundtables offered students at University Park who might be interested in pursuing a career in the video game industry an opportunity to learn and inquire about the potential career paths available to them, and the kinds of preparation and skills that would be required of them, depending on the kind of work they were interested in pursuing (artist, designer, producer, etc.). This event also brought together producers, artists, marketing specialists, and game designers who outlined their work and responsibilities for students. The panelists also devoted some time for a Q&A with the audience. This event was a meaningful educational complement for our students, bringing them together with experts whose experiences and preparation could only enrich students’ professional and intellectual development. Click here for information on the panelists and recordings of the roundtables.