[game_edu] Ad Hoc committee

[Tom Smith]

Speaking as someone within the industry, this seems like a positive
step. I was hiring designers for many years, and I can still recall a
number of times when I received applications from well meaning
students who had happened to pick the wrong institution and were thus
had none of the skills I was looking for after spending four years and
lots of money. For their sake, even a basic level of approval would be
very helpful. It'll be painful and difficult to set up, but most
things worth doing are.

(For the record, not all my interactions with academia were this
problematic: I also interviewed and hired a number of students who
attended solid institutions and thus had good skills. And a number who
attended weak programs but still managed to teach themselves what they
needed.)

I agree that future decisions of this magnitude merit more upfront
public discussion, however unpleasant that discussion is likely to
get. But I agree with the outcome of the smoky backroom discussions in
this case, so I'm not complaining too much.

Tom Smith
Creative Manager
THQ