Alex Delaney-Gesing
Contributor

 With corporations such as Sony and Microsoft injecting millions of dollars into new video game consoles, digital game development careers are expected to rise, according to recruiter.com.

Lorain County Community College hosted the 2014 Level Up Digital Game Development Conference in the College Center Commons area on campus from 9 a.m.-1 p.m on May 2. The conference’s goal was aimed at attracting high school or college students and their parents, and even community members interested in the world of digital game development.

Professional game developer and senior software engineer for Hypnos Entertainment Jason Conaway was one of three keynote speakers. His experience has included involvement on digital games such as League of Legends, Medal of Honor, Star Wars: The Old Republic, and Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3.

Shana Mysko, a representative from Rovar, an augmented reality creation platform for marketers, also spoke on the subject of digital gaming development .

 From LCCC, Michael Substelny of Distance Learning and the Science and Mathematics division shared his input on the digital gaming development world as a speaker .

“100 people signed up, which I consider tremendously successful,” Substelny said.

“The purpose of this conference is to demonstrate that computer games and simulations can be a viable career,” he added.

Amherst Steele senior Drake McKelvey is planning on pursuing a career in the gaming industry. “I’ve always like games and have a passion for creating stories and different worlds. Here I can get a better idea of where to specialize and find out how to combine my love for arts and gaming,” he said.

Informative sessions were made available for parents and students interested in LCCC’s Computer Games and Simulation Design (CGSD) Associate of Applied Science degree.

“This conference is relevant to my major and it seemed like a good place to gather information,” said Byron Smith, a gaming design simulation major at LCCC. “There are speakers here that are working in the field and it’s good to hear what it’s like.”

The CGSD program offered at LCCC allows for students to learn more about the resurgence of game and simulation design field from experienced CGSD faculty and professionals.

Participants received the opportunity to help create an actual computer game that will be available for use in the LCCC student Gamer Lounge.

Karl Schneider contributed to this article.