Mass. college to create game incubation center

Becker College and the Massachusetts Digital Games Institute (MassDiGI) announced this week that they have received $1.4 million from the United States Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration to help with the formation of the new MassDiGI New Ventures Center.

Becker College will match the EDA grant to create the $2.8 million center. It will function as an on-campus business assistance center for interactive media, game development, and technology-centric business undergraduate and graduate students.

The New Ventures Center is expected to create 430 jobs over a ten-year period.

"As the home of both MassDiGI and a nationally recognized video game development program, Becker College is perfectly positioned to help grow one of the most dynamic pillars of the Massachusetts innovation economy: the interactive entertainment industry," Becker College president and chair of the MassDiGI advisory board Robert E. Johnson said.

"The jobs created by the work of this center will be highly skilled and well-paid. They will build the talent pool in Massachusetts by providing opportunity for graduates from Becker and other institutions of higher learning across the state," he added.

To create the New Ventures Center, the school will renovate the 80 William Street location while retaining its "historical character." The center will offer meeting spaces, computer labs, and other facilities for research, design, and incubation of new projects.

For more on Becker College's game design program, one of the best in the nation according to the Prinecton Review, check out the school's website.