One word; bonkers.

If it meant students are more likely to stay in school a bit longer, I think this is a good thing. It looks like it's only a very small part of the media syllabus, and could be something that introduces games to a number of media students who wouldn't normally consider them. It's definitely better than listening to one of my own school teachers who blithely announced to the whole class - "No, definitely not, do not think about working in computer games".

It read like the course is specifically Videogame orientated but i'd be suprised if that was the case. More likely to be interactive Media Studies or some such.

Nothing wrong with this. The games business is one of the biggest industries for exports in this country so more effort should be made in educating people this is a viable career.

My teachers were much like those of AGradePupil up above. A career in games wasn't even an option to put forward - banker, accountant or plasterer was about as far as they went!

Personally, I reckon this would be a good thing. Undoubtedly, though, many people will regard this as foolish - or 'bonkers', as above chappie states - but I can't really see any valid argument to say gaming is any less deserving of study within a media syllabus than any other form of media.

I guess this harks back to the age old 'are games art' argument, but I've always been in the 'yes they are' camp on that one. Aside from the obvious examples of hugely artistic games - Shadow of the Colossus, Ico, Ocarina of Time - I'd say there's also a very strong argument for claining that the construction of games is an art form in itself. Can you really say they way in which something as wonderfully built as Super Mario World is not art? I think not.

Im 26 now, and always wanted to design and work on computer games, right from when I was about 10-12 years old. Everyone laughed and even my parents thought it was a terrible idea, I was ridiculed and told off for playing games late and night. And now I realise it was the best decision I EVER made. The games industry is hard to get into but the most creative, challenging job you could ask for - With good benefit
They should make sure that the kids are shown how easy it isnt!

Just to finish... I've worked in games for around 5 years now, and would never go back to any other job unless I had to.

As my industry buddy before me stated there is a lot to fight against getting into the games industry and a few weeks discussion aint going to help anyone get a head start.

Passing studing subjects like graphic design or art in favor for a few weeks chat about archaic games won't help anyone in the long run

i love video games since i was young child and i try my hardest be have job in the game industry like work for GAME or gamestation. I have applied for jobs there but never get any respond from them. Any tips would help me get more involved!

What a fantastic idea I for one one would love to do the diploma. In response to Trowa I would strongly recomened taking your C.V to your local GAME or GAMESTATION and asking the manager or manageres to consider you for a xmas temp role most stores usally keep 1 temp on under a part time basis and this is one of the best ways to gain entry at retail levle.