Majoring in Video Games

I came across an article in the LA Times today which reported that more colleges are offering video game design as a major.  I found one quote in the article particularly interesting:

"It's a very hot academic growth area," said Colleen McCreary, who runs EA's university relations program. "I'm very worried about the number of community colleges and for-profit institutions, as well as four-year programs, that are using game design as a lure for students who are not going to be prepared for the real entry-level positions that the game industry wants."

I do think that some colleges do use the video game major as a way to entice people to go to their college.  Back at home when I had a moment to veg out and watch some television, I frequently saw commercials for colleges that would provide you with the tools to be become the next greatest web designer.  However, Colleen McCreary is right.  There is a lot of pressure associated with designing video games that cost $100 million to develop.  With this pressure comes a lot of long nights spent hammering the keyboard.

However, I do think that the video game major is an interesting concept that should be implemented in the IST framework.  After all, IST covers three areas: Information, Technology, and People.  Video games cover all of these areas.  Already, a class called MGMT 497A: The Business of Video Games is offered at Penn State, but I think IST could benefit from some video game classes.  Too often, IST professors complain that students don't know computer science.  What better way to learn computer science then to have fun while learning?