NYU to open video game design institute

New York University will open an institute for the study and design of video games in downtown Brooklyn next fall.

NYU already offers degrees in game design and digital learning.

The university is hoping to cement its position as a leader in game studies.

The center will be called MAGNET. It will bring together existing NYU programs in fields such as game design, game engineering and games for learning.

The programs currently are split between Brooklyn and NYU's main campus in Greenwich Village.

Doctoral student Jonathan Frye says that having the various disciplines under the same roof will enable students to collaborate with faculty more easily.

Provost David McLaughlin says that opening the MAGNET center will enhance NYU's profile in a cutting-edge sector of technology.