Our history of success is rooted in our long-term expansive footprint with the industry ; maintained close ties with game studios worldwide allow us to continue to update and develop our curriculum directly alongside industry leaders , listening to industry needs and evolving our offerings to match . SMU ’ s industry partnerships are utilized for student benefit both in and out of the classroom . Not only do industry veterans and current developers make up our faculty and adjunct populations , but industry leaders also serve as portfolio and project reviewers , class speakers , and research partners to expand student development . Luminaries of the video game development industry serve as Guildmasters and have imparted their wisdom as speakers in our Game Changers Lecture Series and Industry Insights Series .
Among our group of Guildmasters are : Aaron Thibault , former VP of Strategic Operations and Product Development at Gearbox Software ; Adam Sessler , video game journalist , television personality and consultant , formerly President at TheoryHead , Inc .; Celia Hodent , Game UX Strategist , former Director of User Experience at Epic Games ; Dan Connors , Partner at Skunkape Games , Co-Founder of Telltale Games ; Drew Murray , Design Director at Insomniac Games ; Ed Fries , General Partner at 1Up Ventures , Creator of Microsoft Game Studios , Co-Creator of the XBOX ; Gabe Newell , CEO at Valve Corp .; Graeme Devine , CTO at QXR Studios , formerly of Magic Leap ; Greg Zeschuk , former Co- Founder and GM for BioWare ; Jennell Jaquays , Owner of Dragongirl Studios ; JJ Richards , Unity Game Developer ; Kate Edwards , CXO / CoFounder of SetJetters , former Executive Director of the Global Game Jam and IGDA ; Ken Levine , Creative Director and Co-Founder of Ghost Story Games ( formerly Irrational Games );
Mark Randel , former Founder & Principal Technologist of Terminal Reality ; Paul Bettner , CEO / Founder of Playful & Co-Creator of Words With Friends ; Richard Garriott , Founder and Managing Partner of Argent and Sable , Ltd and Founder of Origin & Portalarium ; Richard Hilleman , former Director and PMT of Amazon Games & formerly CCO of Electronic Arts ; Rob Pardo , Design and Operations for Bonfire Studios and former CCO for Blizzard ; Steve Nix , CEO at ForwardXP ; Tanya Watson , Co-Founder & COO of Squanchtendo , formerly Executive Producer at Epic Games ; Ted Price , Founder and President of Insomniac Games ; Tim Sweeney , Founder / CEO of Epic Games ; Tom Hall , Senior Creative Director for Resolution Games and former Co-Founder , of id Software ; Warren Spector , CCO / Creative Director at OtherSide Entertainment and Founder of Junction Point Studios ; and many more .
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