Sony PlayStation has placed its faith in the “amazing” video games courses at Abertay University.
The firm today officially opened its biggest teaching laboratory in Europe.
Students will now have access to 30 development kits for the Vita handheld console, along with existing ones for the PlayStation 3 and 4 the same technology used by professional studios to create commercial games.
Dr Maria Stukoff, head of academic development at Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, was present for the launch.
She said: “The next generation of PlayStation talent is in education right now and we want to work to work with this talent, we want to make sure that the latest technologies that we have to offer coming from PlayStation 3, 4 and Vita is in the hands of the next generation.
“Abertay University has the amazing teaching labs and staff to really help us see what’s possible for the future.”
She said Sony was working with five “very select” universities on its latest consoles.
“Abertay is really one of the key universities that we work with,” she added. “For students who come into a university like Abertay, you want to get your hands on the latest and most modern console technology and PlayStation First, the programme that we run, is making sure that we place our latest and most professional technology into the hands of students.
“This talent needs to know what’s possible now so they can really step confidently into the industry after they graduate, and who knows what comes up in the next couple of years.
“We want to make sure they have the best possible start for their careers,” Dr Stukoff said.
Every programming student at Abertay is learning how to use Vita development kits and has access to those for the PS4.
They are encouraged to use the Vita’s full range of control options from the twin analogue sticks and front touchscreen, to the innovative rear touchpad to push their design and programming skills.
One of the students, Jake Mackenzie, said: “We have been using it right from the start. Vita has got a lot of inputs there are things like touching the screen and motion controls that are currently really popular.”
Fellow student Natasha Singh was in no doubt about the attraction of Abertay.
“It’s the best for games. It’s just a really nice learning environment, the tutors are really supportive and you get lot of opportunities,” she said.
Professor Louis Natanson, who is head of the School of Arts, Media and Computer Games, welcomed the boost to Abertay’s relationship with Sony from the new development kits.
“The importance of this is it allows our students to operate in exactly the same way as people in the industry operate. Students are routinely staying after class to work on their own projects, with many immediately aspiring to releasing their own games for PlayStation.
“For the university I think it’s a big boost too in that Sony through PlayStation have demonstrated their confidence in the university and the way we do things and also in our students.
“It’s great for employability rates and that our students are operating on the world stage and are getting that seal of approval from such a major player.”