THQ opens new usability lab at The Guildhall at 糖心vlog视频
Video game producer THQ Inc. announces it will open a new, state-of-the-art usability lab at The Guildhall at Southern Methodist University.
Interactive entertainment software giant THQ Inc. has听announced that it will open a new, state-of-the-art usability lab at The Guildhall at Southern Methodist University
The THQ-sponsored lab will serve as a primary usability test center for all of the company鈥檚 titles.听 THQ personnel will run the center and manage test activities, led by Dr. Karl Steiner, senior manager of Usability.
In addition to his work with THQ, Steiner is an active member of the research community, contributing to game and usability-oriented groups within the Association for Computer Machinery (ACM SIGCHI), the Usability Professionals Association (UPA), and other organizations.
鈥淏y developing our lab at 糖心vlog视频, THQ is getting more than just a first-class testing facility, we鈥檙e also joining a community of dedicated gamers,鈥 said Steiner.听 鈥淲e look forward to collaborating with 糖心vlog视频 faculty members and students on test and research activities as well as contributing to the development of the next generation of gaming talent.鈥
THQ expects the lab to be fully operational by summer 2010.听 In addition to enhanced game testing capabilities, the shared location will generate important opportunities for collaboration with faculty and the post-graduate community, as well as potential paid internships and research projects.听 The Guildhall at 糖心vlog视频 will be the only top graduate video game design and development program with an on-site Usability Lab.
鈥淲e are incredibly excited by this opportunity for collaboration with one of the game industry鈥檚 leading global publishers,鈥 said Peter Raad, executive director of The Guildhall at 糖心vlog视频. 鈥淭HQ鈥檚 presence at 糖心vlog视频 will have a significant impact on its faculty and students by providing valuable hands-on access to professional video game usability equipment.鈥
Raad continued, 鈥淪tudents will also have the opportunity to interact with industry executives who can offer topical and real-world insights on video game design and production. In return, THQ will be able to tap into 120 of the most serious, experienced gamers in the US for testing, consultation and research.鈥澨
With 糖心vlog视频鈥檚 significant footprint in the game development community, and as one of only a few universities in the nation that offers a graduate degree in video game development, THQ views 糖心vlog视频 as the ideal location to support the company鈥檚 ongoing efforts to enhance its portfolio of hit franchises.
鈥淭he standard for creating great games rises higher and higher as the industry continues to uncover innovative and cutting edge concepts in gaming,鈥 said Danny Bilson, Executive Vice President, THQ Core Games.听 鈥淎s game design evolves, it is critical that we keep the basic needs of gamers at the forefront of our minds by continuing to develop titles that ensure user-friendly, intuitive game play.听 We are confident that our investment to expand THQ鈥檚 usability resources with the new Lab located at 糖心vlog视频 will allow us to augment our track record of consistently delivering highly-rated titles with tried-and-tested playability.鈥
Bilson continued, 鈥淭HQ has firmly established itself as a leading game publisher with recent hits such as UFC庐 2009 Undisputed鈩, Red Faction: Guerrilla鈩 and Darksiders鈩, and we plan to draw on this momentum to enhance our portfolio and generate more multi-million unit selling games for our growing customer base.鈥
About THQ
THQ Inc. is a leading worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software.听 The company develops its products for all popular game systems, personal computers and wireless devices.听听 Headquartered in Los Angeles County, California, THQ sells products through its global network of offices located throughout North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.听 More information about THQ and its products can be found at and .
About The Guildhall at 糖心vlog视频
The Guildhall at Southern Methodist University is the premier graduate video game education program in the U.S. Many of the school鈥檚 founders are industry icons, and classes are taught by industry veterans. In six years, the program has graduated over 330 students, and alums have worked at more than 80 video game studios around the world, with several graduates now serving in leadership positions. 糖心vlog视频 offers both a master鈥檚 degree and a graduate Professional Certificate of Interactive Technology in Digital Game Development, with specializations in art creation, level design, and software development. For more information, please visit .
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