Unreal Universe (ft. Allyson Cikor)

Apr 26

The Episode

In this conversation, Allyson Cikor, the Environment Art Outsource Manager for the Coalition Studio, shares her journey in the gaming industry. She discusses her early experiences with games and her passion for game development. Allyson also talks about her indie VR game studio, the challenges of funding in the gaming industry, and the rise of indie studios. She highlights the importance of community and her involvement with the Lethbridge Game Developers Guild. This conversation explores the potential of game development in Alberta, the differences and opportunities in game development, gaming, and esports, the passion and community of esports, the development of the esports program at Lethbridge Polytechnic, overcoming resistance to esports in education, the landscape of esports programs in post-secondary education, and the significance of the High Level Innovation Conference in Lethbridge.

Takeaways

Allyson’s passion for game development started at a young age and has been a constant throughout her life.
The gaming industry faces challenges in terms of funding, with traditional sources often overlooking the potential and value of games.
The rise of indie studios and the shift towards digital gaming are shaping the future of the industry.
Community and networking play a crucial role in the game development process and provide opportunities for collaboration and growth. Game development in Alberta has the potential to thrive and contribute to the growth of the industry in the province.
There are distinct differences between game development, gaming, and esports, but there are also opportunities for collaboration and unity.
The esports community is incredibly passionate and driven, with a desire to share the value of esports with the world.
The development of the esports program at Lethbridge Polytechnic was driven by the need to provide students with a positive and inclusive community during the pandemic.
Overcoming resistance to esports in education requires showcasing the positive aspects and professional skills that can be gained through participation.
There are different approaches to incorporating esports into post-secondary education, including specialized esports management programs and integrating esports into existing programs.
The High Level Innovation Conference in Lethbridge is an important event that showcases innovation in the region and highlights the growth of esports and other industries.

Important Links

Allyson’s email — cikor.allyson@gmail.com

Allyson on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/allyson-cikor-b6654b108/

Gears of War: Never Fight Alone — https://www.gearsofwar.com/neverfightalone/

Lethbridge Game Developers Guild — https://discord.gg/Ec7jZB8WHa

Lethbridge Polytechnic: Virtual & Augmented Reality — https://lethpolytech.ca/programs-and-courses/virtual-and-augmented-reality

High Level Innovation Conference — https://highlevelinnovation.com/

Nightingale by Inflexion Games — https://playnightingale.com/