Sony Computer Entertainment Hong Kong Limited set up a boot camp for aspiring game developers called the Hong Kong Digital Creation Camp. The program consists of weekend courses in game design taught by Sony specifically for PlayStation 3 production. One thing that makes the program unique is students get to use actual PlayStation 3 development tools. I don’t believe has ever happened in Asia outside of Japan. Hong Kong might not be a major hub for game development, but there are local development studios. Some even make Wii and DS games. However, people that graduate from this program will probably compete to be one of the few (or first) PS3 designers in Hong Kong.
SCEH seemed excited about the initiative. They kicked off sign-ups with an event at Sham Shui Po. Some people call it the Akihabara equivalent of Hong Kong probably because of the high density of electronics stores. Sham Shui Po doesn’t have an abundance of maid cafes though. Angelababy, a local model, acted as the ambassador for the event. Unfortunately, few people showed up. I was there standing next to press eager to take photos of Angelbaby. There was also a line of high school aged kids crowding around the exit hoping to get an autograph from her.
Here is a photo of the line and actual people filling out applications to sign up for the course. I was hoping to see some student developed PlayStation 3 or PSP games there. Instead Genji: Days of Blade, Folklore and Gran Turismo 5: Prologue were on display.
A missed opportunity?
Photo credit Spencer/Siliconera.
