G SET

Game Sport

Entertainment

Technology

7.12 - 7.26

Game-based Learning +  Game Research + Esports 

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Experience the full spectrum of the gaming industry and

explore future careers in game science and entertainment technology.

#1 Summer Games Research & Learning

The important and flourishing field of Gaming offers an exciting opportunity to expand the range of inquiry and invigorate interests in research for gifted high school students who will become future leaders.

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UCI x GATI’s GSET is pioneering both the content of the instruction — emphasizing the intersection of technology, computational analysis, new media, and traditional interpretive modes — as well as in the integrated cross-departmental nature of the course of study. With connections to an impressive range of existing majors — including Anthropology, Art, Communication, Computer Science, Digital Humanities, Education, English, Music, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology—the program offers gifted pre-collegiate students an opportunity to cross disciplinary boundaries, build critical technical skills, and explore research opportunities as well as future careers affiliated with the gaming industry.

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UCI x GATI looks for visionaries, researchers, developers who can not only play games, but also design, research, and create them. Our GSET program will take you through the wide spectrum of careers and fields related to games, including esports, gamification, game research, and more.

 

GSET will help you achieve your college and game-related goals by giving you access to experienced mentors that will help you realize your college goals, and by enabling you to pitch your ideas to judges, investors, and other people who can help take your ideas from GSET to the world.

For Future Majors in:

  • Sociology

  • Communication

  • Digital Humanities

  • Computer Science

  • Political Science

  • Psychology

  • Education

The Entire Gaming Ecosystem:

  • Esports

  • Game Design

  • Research

  • Shoutcasting

  • Business 

Popular Research Topics:

  • Rage or Sage: Social Effects of Extreme Gaming

  • Psychological Benefits of Gaming

  • Gamification of Learning

  • Communication and Gaming

  • Call of Duty: Gamification of Warfare

GSET Curriculum

Research

Game-Based Research & Learning

  • Research topics in esports and games with top faculty and leaders in informatics and gaming.

  • Access to UCI's resources for game-based research, including the esports arena and state-of-the-art labs.

  • Get feedback on your explorations of gamification, game learning and game science.

Innovation

Application & 

Design

  • Apply elements of game design, including design mechanics, user research, virtual reality and augmented reality. 

  • Create and prototype basic games or esports concept with guidance from industry professionals.

  • Pitch esports club/organization or a game concept to principals, investors and/or judges. 

Every GSET fellow will experience the entire gaming ecosystem. Your ultimate focus and capstone projects, however, will be different -- research or innovation -- depending on your personal goals.   

GSET Lead Faculty

Kurt Squire

Professor at UCI Department of Informatics

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Squire is designing and developing (with colleagues at MIT) one of the first augmented reality games.

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He has also built a network of universities focused on showing educational technology publishers how a game-based curriculum can succeed commercially.

Mark Deppe

Director at UCI Esports and Commissioner at North American Scholastic Esports Federation

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Deppe led the effort to create the world-renowned esports program at UC Irvine. He has helped UCI break six world records and recently led the League of Legends team to a 2018 Collegiate Championship. 

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GSET Daily Residential Schedule

Morning Classes 

Lectures & Workshops

  • Attend university lectures and workshops on game science, game learning and innovation.

  • Work closely with world's leading professors and experts in games and digital media.

Afternoon Arena / Lab

Research & Site Visits

  • Engage in research of cognitive, intellectual and social aspects of esports and multiplayer online video games.

  • Special access to UCI esports arena and state-of-art research facilities for hands-on demonstrations of advanced lab techniques.

  • Field trips to / Guests speakers from gaming and entertainment companies in Southern California (i.e. Blizzard, Oblivion). 

Evening Innovation

Capstone Projects

  • Connect your gaming knowledge and experience with college-readiness. 

  • Build long-lasting relationships with advisors and other gifted and talented students from around the world.  

  • Complete your capstone project(s) — design your own game, compete in leagues, build your presentation for establishing your own high school esports club and/or finalize your cognitive research on game learning. 

Tuition & Scholarship

Program Fees*: $4,995 (Early: $4,595)
  * Fees include all instructional materials, room & board and GSET-arranged activities.  
Scholarships Available for:
  • California residents
  • Outstanding applicants that demonstrate superior knowledge and skills in gaming (i.e. game design, esports, game research, etc)