South Tyneside College team with Grainger Games for careers evening

South Tyneside College has partnered with game retailer Grainger Games to host an open evening for young people seeking careers in the gaming industry.

Highlights include Grainger Games’ team bringing with them the firm’s Hummer SUV all-terrain vehicle, which has been converted to carry a portable gaming station.

And college staff will show off other high-tech wizardry, including the must-have Oculus Rift 3D headset, the serious gamers’ equipment of choice.

The Oculus Rift is used on BTEC courses run by the college’s creative media department, part of which teaches gaming production and development.

Two demonstration kits will be set up in the foyer of the college, in St Georges Avenue, South Shields, alongside a large TV with a PlayStation 4, from 5pm to 7pm on Tuesday.

Senior games lecturer James Whatling said: “Our creative media courses prepare students for using industry technology and technics in games design.

“We employ the very latest technology to show how games are developed. We believe we are the only North East college that uses the Oculus Rift headset, which brings our students many advantages.

“Our courses use the latest software and games engines to give real insight into how games are developed, all within studio standard facilities.

“It’s great that the Grainger Game team will be here and between us we hope to inspire young people who want learn the skills needed to enter this unique and incredibly exciting industry.

“I am sure that young people will be excited by this event. I certainly wish this course had existed when I was younger.”

The college established the gaming element of its creative media department three years ago, and around 50 students are on one-year Level 2 and one-year Level 3 diploma courses, and Level 3 extended courses.

Current students will attend the event dressed as games characters, including Super Mario.

Gavin Adams, 21, a Level 3 extended diploma in creative media production student, from Inverness, Scotland, described the college’s games course as “fantastic”, adding: “I’ve learned so much here.

“The course goes into depth and gets right down to nitty-gritty detail. I’ve learned about 3D modelling, games building and animation. Not only that, but I’ve learned how the industry works as well as how to work in that industry.

“The facilities are amazing, and the knowledge of the tutors is second to none. They are passionate about the subject and they really know what they are talking about.”