Skillshot Media developing esports courses for Georgia State University

Skillshot Media has announced a partnership with Georgia State University and the Georgia Film Academy to co-develop online and in-person college courses based around esports.

The Georgia-based esports production company, which was spun off from Smite and Paladins developer Hi-Rez Studios, will launch the first courses this autumn.

Skillshot Media Georgia State University
Image credit: Skillshot Media

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“We can do more than entertain short-term. We can also act now to prepare our students and workforce for a post-virus economy and new jobs within the gaming industry,” reads a post on the Skillshot website. “Toward this goal, Skillshot is pleased to announce an initiative we have been working on for many months. In collaboration with partners, we’ve developed a series of in-person and online courses focused on workforce development for the thriving game development and esports industries.”

Students can earn credit hours in Georgia State University’s Creative Media Industries Institute (CMII) programs in Game Design and Entrepreneurship, with additional courses planned beyond this autumn’s debut set.

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Skillshot Media officially cut ties with Hi-Rez Studios this past January through a management buyout, announcing plans to open an esports centre and production studio via a partnership with IT infrastructure services provider INAP. In February, Skillshot Media added a partnership with the non-profit National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE).

Esports Insider says: As the esports industry continues to expand and evolve, this type of professional training will make sure that there’s enough well-trained talent available to companies. Good on Skillshot and GSU for aligning to meet this need.