Rob Catto, Program Director of Game Development at Full Sail University, discusses the past, present and future of game development, and offers some insight into what makes a good game. Related topics include an overview of the game development curriculum at Full Sail, predictions on the future of game development, and the use of music in games.

Rob Catto, Program Director of Game Development at Full Sail University, talks about his education and his involvement in the first full immersion virtual reality program in 1994.

Program Director Rob Catto describes the Game Development program in detail, stressing that it is first and foremost a software engineering program with a strong foundation in writing code. He also lists some of the requisite skills and explains some of the more advanced aspects of the curriculum.

Rob Catto, Program Director of Game Development at Full Sail University, explains how adding layers of sensory data to a game can create a fuller, more immersive experience for the player. He also gives some background on how music’s role in game development has evolved over the years, and how, thanks to improved technology, it has become a more significant part of the gaming experience.

Rob Catto, Program Director of Game Development at Full Sail University, shares his unique perspective on the ways in which gaming is infiltrating popular culture. Citing interactive movies and games such as Guitar Hero and Rock Band, Catto suggests that the distinction between active and passive entertainment is dissolving. He also makes some predictions about technological improvements and changes to the game distribution model, underscoring that creating good games will always be more important than creating new consoles.

Rob Catto, Program Director of Game Development at Full Sail University, gives advice to students preparing for a career in game development, offering suggestions on how to gain hands-on experience while still in school.