The Mohammed Bin Rashid School for Communication at the American University in Dubai is launching a new Bachelor of Science in Game Design and Development. This program will begin in the 2025-26 academic year and aims to provide students with the creative and technical skills needed for the growing gaming industry.

This new program was created with help from the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts, which is known for its top-ranked gaming curriculum. The Dubai Media Council is supporting this initiative to help make Dubai a center for media innovation and to develop skilled media professionals. This effort also supports the council's goal of making Dubai a leader in digital entertainment and interactive content.

Students in the program can choose to focus on either Game Design, which covers storytelling and visual design, or Game Development, which includes programming and using game engines.

Hesham Al Olama, Director of Strategy & Performance for the Dubai Media Council, stated that this program helps position Dubai as a leader in media innovation and supports the development of a future-ready media industry with local talent. He also mentioned that the program contributes to Dubai's vision of becoming a global gaming hub and strengthening its role in emerging media sectors.

Sophie Boutros, Executive Director of the Mohammad Bin Rashid School for Communication at AUD, highlighted that this program is a significant step in preparing students for a changing media world. She noted the support from the Dubai Media Council and the collaboration with USC's School of Cinematic Arts. The program combines creative training with technical knowledge to equip students to be innovators in the gaming sector.

Graduates will be skilled in designing games, developing them with industry tools, and using storytelling and art to improve the player experience. They will also learn about teamwork, game production, and the business side of the industry.

Original article

Actionable Information: There is no actionable information for a general reader. The article announces a new university program, but it does not provide steps for individuals to take.

Educational Depth: The article offers some educational depth by explaining the two specializations within the program (Game Design and Game Development) and mentioning the collaboration with USC's School of Cinematic Arts. However, it does not delve into the "why" or "how" of game design or development itself, nor does it explain the broader systems of the gaming industry or media innovation in Dubai.

Personal Relevance: The personal relevance is limited to individuals interested in pursuing higher education in game design and development in Dubai. For others, it has no direct impact on their daily lives, finances, or safety.

Public Service Function: The article does not serve a public service function. It is an announcement of an academic program and does not provide warnings, safety advice, or emergency information.

Practicality of Advice: No advice or steps are given, so this point is not applicable.

Long-Term Impact: The long-term impact is primarily for the students who enroll in the program, potentially shaping their careers and contributing to Dubai's media industry. For the general reader, there is no direct long-term impact.

Emotional or Psychological Impact: The article is informative and neutral. It does not aim to evoke strong emotions or psychological responses.

Clickbait or Ad-Driven Words: The article does not use clickbait or ad-driven language. It is a straightforward announcement.

Missed Chances to Teach or Guide: The article missed opportunities to provide more value. For instance, it could have included information on how aspiring game designers or developers can start learning these skills independently, resources for self-study, or a broader overview of the job market in the gaming industry. A normal person could find more information by searching for online game design tutorials, exploring free game development engines like Unity or Unreal Engine, or researching industry trends on reputable gaming news sites.

The establishment of a specialized program focused on game design and development, drawing expertise from distant institutions and supported by broad initiatives, risks diverting attention and resources away from the fundamental duties of kin. When the pursuit of specialized, often solitary, digital skills becomes the primary focus, it can diminish the emphasis on direct, hands-on care and education of children within the family unit. The transmission of essential life skills, the nurturing of communal bonds, and the direct responsibility for the well-being of elders can be overshadowed by the allure of a globalized, abstract industry.

This shift can weaken the trust and responsibility that traditionally bind families and local communities. The emphasis on individual creative and technical achievement, while valuable in its own sphere, may inadvertently erode the collective sense of duty towards kin and neighbors. When young people are trained to excel in a field that prioritizes individual innovation and global market appeal, the ingrained understanding of reciprocal obligations within the local clan can become diluted. This can lead to a situation where individuals feel less bound by the immediate needs of their families and communities, prioritizing personal advancement in a detached digital realm.

The focus on digital entertainment and interactive content, while presented as progress, can also lead to a neglect of the land and its resources. The stewardship of the land, a core responsibility for the survival of future generations, is best learned through direct engagement and a deep understanding of local ecosystems. A curriculum that immerses students in virtual worlds may inadvertently foster a disconnect from the physical environment and the tangible duties of land care.

Furthermore, the reliance on external expertise and the pursuit of global industry standards can create dependencies that undermine local self-sufficiency and traditional knowledge. The natural duties of fathers and mothers to guide their children's upbringing and the responsibility of the extended family to care for elders may be perceived as secondary to the demands of a specialized career path. This can lead to a fracturing of family cohesion, as responsibilities are shifted onto impersonal educational structures rather than being fulfilled through direct kinship bonds.

The consequence of such a widespread shift in focus is a potential decline in birth rates below replacement levels, as individual career aspirations and the pursuit of specialized skills may take precedence over the foundational duty of procreation and raising the next generation. This undermines the continuity of the people and the long-term stewardship of the land. Without a strong emphasis on family, community, and the direct care of kin, the social structures that support procreative families weaken, jeopardizing the very survival of the community.

If these trends continue unchecked, families will become less cohesive, with diminished trust and responsibility among members. Children will be less connected to their elders and the traditions that sustain them. The land will suffer from neglect as the focus shifts to abstract digital creations. The bonds of kinship, the bedrock of community survival, will erode, leaving individuals isolated and the collective vulnerable.

This text uses positive words to describe the new program and Dubai's goals. Words like "growing gaming industry," "top-ranked gaming curriculum," and "media innovation" make the program sound very good. This helps make the program and Dubai seem important and successful.

The text shows a bias towards promoting Dubai as a leader. It states the program "helps position Dubai as a leader in media innovation" and supports "Dubai's vision of becoming a global gaming hub." This focuses on Dubai's achievements and ambitions, making it seem like the main point of the announcement.

The text uses quotes from people involved to make the program sound more official and important. Hesham Al Olama and Sophie Boutros say positive things about the program and its goals. This helps convince readers that the program is a good idea and will be successful.

The text highlights the help from the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts. This is used to make the new program seem more credible and high-quality. It suggests that by working with a well-known school, the Dubai program will also be excellent.

The text expresses a strong sense of excitement and optimism surrounding the launch of the new Bachelor of Science in Game Design and Development program. This excitement is evident in phrases like "launching a new Bachelor of Science" and the overall positive framing of the program's aims. The purpose of this emotion is to generate enthusiasm among potential students and stakeholders, signaling that this is a forward-thinking and valuable opportunity. This emotional tone guides the reader's reaction by inspiring action and building anticipation for the program's commencement. The writer uses words like "growing gaming industry" and "media innovation" to create a sense of opportunity and progress, making the program seem like a gateway to a dynamic future.

A feeling of pride is also conveyed, particularly through the mention of collaborations and achievements. The text highlights the support from the Dubai Media Council and the partnership with the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts, described as "known for its top-ranked gaming curriculum." This association with a prestigious institution instills pride in the program's quality and credibility. This pride serves to build trust with the reader, assuring them of the program's high standards and the institution's commitment to excellence. The purpose is to persuade readers that this program is a reputable and well-supported venture, making it a wise choice for aspiring game designers and developers. The writer employs a comparative tool by referencing USC's "top-ranked gaming curriculum," implicitly positioning the new program as being of similar caliber.

Furthermore, the text conveys a sense of ambition and vision, particularly in statements from Hesham Al Olama and Sophie Boutros. Al Olama states the program "helps position Dubai as a leader in media innovation" and contributes to Dubai's "vision of becoming a global gaming hub." Boutros emphasizes it's a "significant step in preparing students for a changing media world." This ambition is designed to inspire readers by showcasing the program's role in a larger, impactful goal. It aims to persuade readers that by joining this program, they are not just learning a skill, but becoming part of a significant movement shaping the future of media and entertainment. The writer uses strong, forward-looking language like "future-ready media industry" and "emerging media sectors" to amplify this sense of ambition and encourage engagement. The repetition of the idea that the program positions Dubai as a leader in media and gaming reinforces this persuasive message.