„Change the Game – Talking about the new Master’s Degree Programme Game Studies and Engineering“?

Since October 2017, the Universität Klagenfurt has been offering the Master’s degree programme Game Studies and Engineering. The interdisciplinary programme focuses on technical, analytical, and ethical aspects of video- and analogue games. Altogether nine students from three countries began their studies in the autumn of last year. We interviewed two of them about their first impressions and experiences:

Eva Krassnitzer

The Game Studies and Engineering master’s programme has existed for about a year now. Why did you join the programme? What was your motivation to begin?

I decided to study Game Studies and Engineering because I found the thought of being one of the very first to study this new Master’s programme very thrilling. Furthermore, I love games.

How are you getting on? What do you like most about Game Studies and Engineering?

Studying games, I have met some really cool new people. It’s interesting to learn about the gaming industry and the concepts behind game development. And I especially like how we have to play games for some courses. Whether they are board games, real life adventure games like escape rooms, or video games.

What do you want to do professionally after you graduate? In what kind of field do you want to work?

As I studied in the teacher’s training programme beforehand, I would like to create my very own learning-based games for use in education. I also want to help to change the often very negative image of videogames and bring them to good use in the everyday classroom.

Ricarda Kleine

The Game Studies and Engineering master’s programme has existed for about a year now. Why did you join the programme? What was your motivation to begin?

I joined the Master’s programme, because of its interdisciplinarity. You meet and work with very different people and I consider the diversity of approaches to games as a great enrichment for myself.

How are you getting on? What do you like most about Game Studies and Engineering?

What I appreciate very much, is that the professors are always motivated and open-minded. There are lots of extracurricular events and workshops, like for example the Klagenfurter Game Jam or the Critical Game Labs, where we develop our own games or have academic discussions on game topics.

What do you want to do professionally after you graduate? In what kind of field do you want to work?

After the Master’s programme I would like to write a PhD thesis and, hopefully, I will find a place at a university.

The application period for the entrance examination ends on August 31.

Further information: https://www.aau.at/en/studien/master-game-studies-and-engineering/