Reasons why you should study a degree in video game development in Spain

I’m not a very patriotic person, but I also appreciate how much I love the weather, people, food and certain landscapes of this country. For years I had an inner struggle with myself over whether or not I should go abroad to seek my fortune beyond these borders, but there is always something that ends up keeping me here. Something that does not seem like an easy task: the current economy is not far beyond what we say and It’s not strange to see how people go in search of a better life, which makes me a little sad.

This is why I am always so enthusiastic when new projects are announced whose sole mission is mainly to retain national talent and create unprecedented opportunities for professional development without having to go through Christ, which means going to live in outside of what has been your lifelong home. . And justly this is where the Voxel school comes inthe center for university studies specializing in the provision of training in the field of digital art, video games and visual effects.

The thing is that I was able to visit it a few days ago during an open day where a round table was organized on all this with the aim of clarifying a little in what situation we currently find ourselves in terms of of professional development in the video game industry in Spain. And, to be honest, I left pretty hopeful from there.

What is the Voxel School?

• Voxel School is a university training center in digital arts
• In addition to various masters, four specific new grades were mentioned in the talk:
  • Bachelor in Digital Animation 1⃣
  • Diploma in Design and Digital Art for Video Games 2⃣
  • Diploma in Graphic Design and Motion Graphics 3⃣
  • Diploma in composition, post-production and VFX 4⃣

In the speech in question the University of Deusto has been mentioned as the main collaborator of this new academic project, which gives a greater degree of packaging to everything it offers. But the thing does not end there, since PlayStation itself was also present at the round table and some crucial points of view were shared there to understand what the current situation is.

A few brushstrokes of the current situation

At the table in question, it was especially encouraging to see how the three parties that make up this puzzle (the university, the government and the video game industry) were looking in the same direction: promote the growth of the sector in Spain to prevent brain drain.

• The University (represented by Guibert Ucín, Rector of the University of Deusto) recognized the need for academic entities to adapt to new trends and learn in the process. This is where the alliance between Deusto and Voxel School was born: collaborating with a smaller center allows you to train your students faster and more specifically 1⃣
• The video game industry (represented by Jorge Huguet, Director of PlayStation Spain) recognized the possibilities for the future resulting from this collaboration and, above all, the need for an understanding between the three parties to make everything happen 2⃣
• The government (represented by Minister of Industry Reyes Maroto) recognized the error of public entities in reacting too late and slowly to the needs of the sector 3⃣

The development of Spanish video games is increasingly present internationally

If we stop for a moment to think, many games have emerged that enjoy strong international recognition and have been created in Spain. From Blasphemous to GRAY, via Metroid Dread or the recent Kickstarter success of Mika and the Witch’s Mountain (which managed to collect more than 1,300,000 euros for its development). These are just a few of the examples that come to mind quickly and directly and which show that a sustainable video game industry in Spain is possible.