Toured Studios
We toured the amazing Sony Santa Monica Studio where PlayStation® products are created. The youth visited each department where they learned about the entire process of designing and developing a game, starting from the drawing pad to seeing characters brought to life! The group also toured Activision, the developers of the action/adventure game Skylanders, making this an action-packed unforgettable experience.
Learned from Professionals
In the board room, the youth had the opportunity to be developers for the day. Guided by production and design team leaders, the young developers came up with a concept for a new video game. They brainstormed about the game’s characters, levels, and more. The group also learned about the various departments and team members that work closely together to complete projects, such as engineers, artists, producers, and writers. The youth experienced firsthand how designers and developers work and learned about the many careers in the gaming industry and how these professionals arrived at their dream jobs.
Engaged in Cool Learning Activities
The youth participated in cool activities that allowed them to see how a game comes together. They had the chance to test a product and were able to hear their own voices in an actual video game!
Prepared for the Future
Youth have an array of talents and skills that they can hone and apply to future careers. City Youth Exposure’s goal is to expose youth to careers that align with their skills and interests. The gaming experience exposed youth to what could be their reality, increased their knowledge about how to prepare for a career in the gaming industry, and inspired them to achieve their goals. In collaboration with the teams at Sony Santa Monica Studio and Activision, we achieved our goal. As a result of this experience, the youth:
- Have more information about the steps they need to take to build a career in the gaming industry.
- Gained support from team members at leading gaming companies.
- Became aware of tools they can use to develop their skills.
- Are more motivated to do what it takes to succeed.
