Peking University opened a new course on electronic games this semester, and students have responded with tremendous enthusiasm amid the fast-developing game industry in China, Beijing News reported.
The optional course General Theory of Electronic Games, which is open to all students, was designed to accommodate 120 students but attracted about 200 for the first two lessons.
"The course does not teach students how to play electronic games, but to study issues related to electronic games, including research and development, technology, the industry, publicity, and players' psychological problems," said Chen Jiang, the course instructor and deputy professor of the School of Electronic Engineering And Computer Science.
Chen wants the course content to have variety. Apart from his own lectures, he invited guests to talk to students, including a team with firsthand experience in developing games, an alumna who created her own game, and a psychology teacher who could discuss the social and psychological problems caused by games.
Some students even have the opportunity to attend electronic sports competitions for close observation.
According to the 2017 China Game Industry Development Report, the annual revenue for the industry has reached 219 billion yuan.
Though the industry is a great contributor to GDP and employment, playing electronic games is still seen by many as an inappropriate pastime, especially for students.
The course is not meant to challenge traditional thinking, said Chen. "I like playing games, but I deeply understand the problems that games have caused."
Chen predicted many students will be involved into the game industry either through employment or investment, as the industry may develop into a backbone of the entertainment industry before long.
