The Research Triangle region of North Carolina is home to many outstanding universities and colleges with a total combined enrollment of well over 100,000 students. Several of these universities have long-standing programs in place that help to grow the games industry through workforce development, tech transfer and industry partnerships.
- North Carolina State University
- 31,000 students
- 552 active patents, over 65 spin-off companies
- $315 million in annual research expenditures
- Home to the Digital Games Research Center
- Strengths include:
- Engineering
- Computer science
- Design
- Artificial intelligence
- University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
- 28,000 students
- $593 million in research grants awarded in 2006
- Renowned computer graphics program includes:
- Virtual environments
- Medical image processing
- Scientific visualization
- Geometric modeling
- Duke University
- 13,000 Students (1/2 undergrad, 1/2 grad and professional)
- $747 million in research grants awarded in 2006
- Duke Immersive Virtual Environment (DiVE): The Southeast’s only fully enclosed, six-sided virtual reality environment
- Computer science program
- Engineering program
- Includes:
- Wake Technical Community College
- AAS degree in Simulation and Game Development
- 140+ students enrolled
- Graduates can enter workforce as:
- Skilled game testers
- Assistant designers
- Modelers
- Curriculum includes:
- 3D modeling and animation
- Simulation and game development design
- Level design
- Tools programming
- School of Communication Arts @ Digital Circus
- 500+ graduates annually
- Virtually all local studios employ graduates
- Curriculum focused on:
- Animation
- Digital Arts
- Internet development
- Film and Audio
- East Carolina University
- 24,000 students
- Degrees in computer science and software engineering
- Concentrations in game development, animation and interactive design
- National leader in robotic surgery, healthcare innovation and simulation-based training
- At the forefront of online education
- Pitt Community College
- Pitt Community College is collaborating with both ECU and Wake Tech to offer students access to training and education in simulation and game development.
- 1+1 program in simulation and game development (With Wake Tech)
- Active IGDA student chapter (PCCGDA)
- 2+2 program in computer science (with ECU)
- Simulation-based education for nurses