The Future of Gaming is on Display at USC Games Expo 2019
The USC Games Expo features nearly 80 student-created games, a keynote from CEO of Jam City Chris DeWolfe, and live USC versus UCLA Esports rivalry matches
LOS ANGELES – USC Games, America’s No. 1 game design program according to the Princeton Review, is offering a glimpse into the future of video games, board games and more at the second annual USC Games Expo, a free on-campus event open to the public showcasing nearly 80 diverse student, faculty and alumni projects.
“We built the USC Games Expo into a massive full-day festival celebrating our students’ incredible talents and accomplishments, while giving them a chance to interact with our powerful alumni network and industry leaders as the next generation of influential game designers and creators,” said Director of USC Games Danny Bilson. “The USC Games Expo is the world’s largest student-focused gaming event that provides a glimpse into the nation’s leading game design program to anyone attending, from the general public to aspiring developers to notable alumni.”
“Los Angeles is the creative capital of the world – and our talent grows up right here at home,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “As the gaming industry evolves, L.A. is helping developers and creators to adapt and innovate. The USC Games Expo puts some of our best and brightest on display, and demonstrates the incredible potential of one of our fastest-growing industries.”
Sponsored by Jam City, one of the largest gaming companies in the world, the USC Games Expo is the largest single-school games showcase in the world allowing students to show off their distinctive takes on tried-and-true gaming conventions created within mediums ranging from console, PC, VR and mobile video games to board games and outdoor-games. The event also features intense USC vs. UCLA eSports grudge matches, with official teams from both schools extending their campus rivalry into the world of competitive gaming.
“We’re proud to be a part of the USC Games Expo to support the school once again and celebrate the creative minds who will be shaping and innovating the future of gaming,” said Jam City CEO Chris DeWolfe. “I’m continually blown away by the caliber of talent at the Expo who are experimenting with gameplay, gaming styles, and storytelling. It’s energizing to see the level of creativity.”
The USC Games Expo keynote takes place from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. PDT. The public gaming exhibition open to the public and free to attend follows from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. PDT at the USC Cinematic Arts Complex, 900 W 34th St, Los Angeles, CA 90007, with multiple areas of interest for game lovers of all ages:
- A vast array of games will be on display, including PC and console games such as Plasticity, a cinematic platformer with a poignant environmental message, and Unfettered, an action role-playing game embracing Chinese culture
- The USC Games Expo features a real movie soundstage converted into large-scale VR arena
- Esports is taking a bigger role this year too with heated USC versus UCLA rivalry grudge matches amongst top competitors representing each school in Hearthstone, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and League of Legends
- Major publishers and game studios such as Blizzard, Riot, Activision and Zynga, are attending the USC Games Expo seeking the best and brightest student talent for employment opportunities
- Keynote speeches from Chris DeWolfe, CEO and Co-founder of Jam City, and other high-profile industry leaders offer students expert perspective on global gaming trends and opportunities for designers, artists, data scientists, marketers, and more
- The USC Games Expo also features a mini-carnival, mesmerizing 3D projection mapping installations and multiple panels addressing hot-button industry issues
USC Games is a collaboration between USC School of Cinematic Arts’ Interactive Media & Games Division and the USC Viterbi School of Engineering Computer Science Department. This unified brand allows press, industry, students and faculty to discuss the overall efforts at USC in games and simultaneously clarify the important distinctions between the offerings of the various programs. The student projects on exhibit at the USC Games Expo embody the power of this collaboration by showcasing how student creators with cross-disciplinary skillsets are innovating across all stages of game development.
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