New USC program helps students form their own game studios

The No.1 game design program in the U.S. is known for its innovative student projects. But starting this year, the University of Southern California will go one step further by helping some of its graduates build their own studios.

USC Games is a cross-disciplinary program that teaches students the various skills needed to make games. They all culminate in the Advanced Games course. Students pitch their ideas to the faculty, and the few who make it through become project leaders. They have one year to assemble a team and make a polished, playable game. The students showcase their projects during the biannual Demo Day events.