Gov. Perry Announces Game On! Texas Symposium

Press Release

Gov. Perry Announces Game On! Texas Symposium

Gov. Rick Perry today announced the Texas Film Commission, AMD, Austin Chamber of Commerce and the City of Austin will host the inaugural Game On! Texas Symposium on Wednesday, April 7, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the AMD Lone Star Campus. This groundbreaking symposium is designed to bring together leaders from the video gaming industry, education and business communities to discuss challenges and solutions to improving Texas' digital media and video game education programs. It will also highlight innovative teaching methods borrowed from video game development.

"The video gaming industry portrays a work ethic, business model and openness to new ideas that can help grow and expand the state's economy, and have a significant impact on how students are taught in Texas classrooms," Gov. Perry said. "This symposium will help educators and business leaders alike find ways to ensure that young Texans get the resources and training they need to pursue jobs in the exciting digital media and video game development industries."

Gov. Perry will serve as keynote speaker, along with Alan Gershenfeld, president of E-Line Media, chairman of Games for Change and former senior vice president for Activision. Other industry experts participating in the symposium include Junction Point/Disney Interactive Studios President Warren Spector, BioWare Austin Co-Studio Director Richard Vogel, and Spacetime Studios President Gary Gattis.

"The Texas Film Commission is committed to the growth of the video game industry in Texas," Texas Film Commission Director Bob Hudgins said. "Video game education plays a vital role in securing Texas' position as a leader in the industry."

Texas is home to more than 120 video game development companies, the third highest concentration of video game development companies in the U.S.. Texas developers employ more than 3,500 employees and annually spend more than $234.4 million in the state.

Registration for Game On! Texas is $95 per person. To register online, please visit http://www.skillpointalliance.org/GameOnTexas.

Eight hours of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credit are offered with certificates for attending teachers and administrators.

To request a media pass or more information about the event, please contact Leah Smith, Animation and Video Game Liaison for the Texas Film Commission, at leah.smith@governor.state.tx.us or (512) 463-5846.

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